VELJKO KLENKOVSKI
Serbia
prominent Serbian clarinetist, was born in 1975 in Pancevo (Serbia). He completed High School of Music “Kornelije Stankovic" and continued his music education at the Conservatorium of Music “George Bizet" in Paris (France) with Professor Guy Deplus.
He graduated with the highest distinction at the “Conservatoire National superieure de region de Paris" with Professor Richarda Viellea . Two years later, Velko completed his post graduate studies at the “Ecole Normal de Paris" with Professor Guy Deplusa. In 2008 he also completed his post graduate studies at the Academy of Art in Novi Sad ( Serbia) with Profesor Nikola Srdic.
He was a prize getter at the various national and international Clarinet competitions. Amongst the most important are:
• 1st Prize at the International Competition "Leopold Bellan", Paris, France.
• 1st Prize at the International Competition in Pikardia
• 1st Prize at the International Competition in Paris, France
• National competition in Ljubljana, Slovenia
• 3rd Prize at the International Competition in Belgrade, Serbia.
As a soloists, he performed with the Brusels Royal Orchestra, Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra, RTS Orchestra, Nis Symphony Orchestra, Belgrade Ensemble "Dusan Skovran", String Ensemble "Gudaci Svetog Djordja", etc. He performed with many well known chamber orchestras and ensembles such as: with Gordan Nikolic, Hansjorg Shelenbergerom, July Hartig, Boštjan Lipovsek, Kapison brothers, at the premiere pf the Chamber Opera "Zora D" by Isidora Žebeljan.
His performances took him to: Spain, Russia, China, Germany, France, Slovenia, Austria, Italy, Greece, Slovakia, Check Republic, USA and India.
Until the 2002, he was 1st clarinetist at the following orchestras: “Philharmonie der Nationen" in Germany, chamber opera Madlenijanum; and RTS Orchastra in Belgrade.
Since 2002, he holds the position of the 1st Clarinet of the Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra. He is also a member of the Balkan Chamber Academy. He is the founder of the Wind Quartet of the Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra as well as Belgrade Wind Trio.
Internationally, he performed with “Bruno Walter" former Luxembourg Philharmonic Orchestra) as well as with Cyprus National Orchestra. During his career, he collaborated with eminent conductors and musicians such as: Zubin Mehta, Christian Mandeal, Barry Douglas, Muhai Tang, Leopold Hager, Paul Angerer etc.
Composer Ante Grgin dedicated to he his composition "Concerto for Clarinet and Orchestra" as well as newlly written piece: " Sonata for Clarinet and Piano". Slovenian composer Ivo Petric also dedicated his quintet composition to him, and the performance of this piece premiered in Ljubljana.
He is active as a teacher. He held masterclasses in: France, Serbia, Slovenia, and Monte Negro. He is a member of the adjudication panel of the "Ohridski Biseri" international competition.
He is a Laureate of "OCTOBAR" Prize, awarded to distinguished teachers for the teaching successes. Currently, he is studying for his PhD degree at the Music Academy of Belgrade, Serbia.
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