Under the artistic direction of Helena Skljarov, the ensemble presented a program where improvisation, performance, and the interplay of live musicians with artificial intelligence were central. Spoken texts by actor Andrija Nazlić, drawn from the works of Russian avant-garde writer Daniil Kharms, punctuated the evening, bridging compositions by Skljarov, Neven Resnik, Juan Luis de Pablo Enriquez Rohen, Vig Kovačić, Margareta Ferek Petrić, Sergej Rahmaninov, and Berislav Šipuš. The result was a fluid, almost cinematic experience in which the audience could choose whether to seek narrative coherence or simply drift along with the performance.

Only three ensemble members—Nazlić, pianist Viktor Čižić, and cellist Janko Franković—took center stage for the performative segments. Their virtuosic interplay, combined with moments of improvisation, highlighted SEZ’s signature mix of precision, spontaneity, and theatricality. The use of AI as an active participant in the performance, particularly in Skljarov’s Blue Cucumber, added a playful, self-reflective layer to the concert.

The evening unfolded in a space resonant with history: the Students’ Centre, once a hub for experimental music and interdisciplinary projects, now became a stage for contemporary experimentation. In this context, SEZ’s work felt both a continuation of past avant-garde traditions and a confident, forward-looking statement.

The program wove together music, video, text, and improvisation, challenging conventional concert etiquette while emphasizing collaboration, audience engagement, and artistic curiosity. With this project, SEZ reaffirmed its mission: to cultivate innovative music-making that resonates with the cultural and social realities of today, providing a shared, immersive experience for performers and audience alike.

PROGRAM:

Helena Skljarov: Blue Cucumber, for violoncello, piano, video, and electronics

Neven Resnik: Toccata for violoncello solo

Juan Luis de Pablo Enriquez Rohen: Coyoacan, for violoncello and piano

Vigo Kovačić: Derivations for violoncello and piano (selected movements)

Margareta Ferek Petrić: Last Smoke, for piano solo

Sergei Rachmaninov: Vocalise, for violoncello and piano

Berislav Šipuš: Alone, for violoncello and piano

Highlights