Srećko Bradić
About the composer
Srećko Bradić was born in 1963 in Samobor, Croatia. At the Academy of Music in Zagreb, he graduated in music education and in composition. He teaches composition and music theory subjects at the Academy of Music in Zagreb. For many years he has been the artistic director of the Samobor Music Autumn Festival .
Among his awards, the Stjepan Šulek Award (1999), the Boris Papandopulo Award of the Croatian Society of Composers, and the HAZU Award (2024) stand out. His notable works include the opera Crux Dissimulata (2008), two symphonies (2012 and 2023), Penetration for piano and strings (1993), Homo erectus for orchestra (2003), concertos for violin and cello (2002), piano (2003), and flute (2010), Sorrow for string orchestra (2020), and various chamber compositions.
In addition to a strong preference for large forms, his compositional expression is characterized by sound richness, expressionistic saturation of colors, characterized by dark, muted colors and impressive use of brass instruments. Among his forty compositions, large orchestral and vocal-instrumental forms predominate the spirituality of canonical sacred texts, like Credo for soloists, choir and orchestra (1994), Requiem for soloists, choir and orchestra (2015), Miserere (2016) and his Stabat Mater.
About the Stabat Mater
| Date: | 2021 |
| Performers: | soprano, choir and strings |
| Length: | 44.14 minutes |
| Particulars: | The Stabat Mater of Bradić consists of fifteen movements, with the first five and last two stanzas grouped together. Rather than illustrating the Stabat Mater narrative directly, the composer explores its emotional landscape: helpless screams, angry rage, painful love, and tender sadness. The soprano soloist progresses from distant declamations to cries of sorrow, ultimately reaching gentle, melodious singing. Bradić creates innovative sound combinations between soloist, string players (featuring prominent solo violin), and choir. The composition concludes gently, suggesting pain that becomes bearable though permanent—a journey through mourning and sadness that resolves in resignation and trust. We are moved and impressed by this composition! |
| Textual variations: | The "Analecta"-version of the text is used without any changes. |
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Information about the recording
| CD1: | Cantus Ltd – Srećko Bradić 88924506042 |
| More info: | The Stabat Mater, world premiere, on October 9, 2021, was recorded in the Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in Jordanovac, Croatia and released on a double CD, on the occasion of Bradic’s 60th birthday. Series: Croatian Contemporary Composers |
| Orchestra: | Zagreb Soloists |
| Choir: | Croatian Radiotelevision Choir |
| Conductor: | Tomislav Fačini |
| Soloists: | Monika Cerovčec, soprano |
| Other works: | Requiem for soloists, choir and orchestra (CD 2) |
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