„We at Yamaha strive to provide the best possible instruments to fit the needs of demanding artists.“

Hailed by the critics as one of the most unique and expressive marimba and percussion artists in the field today, Nebojsa Jovan Zivkovic has greatly influenced the international percussion scene during the last two decades – as both a masterful composer and virtuoso performer. Despite his cosmopolitan lifestyle and attitude, Zivkovic has always preserved his „Slavic soul“ which makes his compositions and performances a unique emotional experience. Concert tours have led him throughout Europe, from Siberia to Spain, from Greece to Finland, repeatedly in Asia, and annually through Latin and North America.

His groundbreaking compositions for marimba and percussion have set new performing standards, and his captivating and energetic performances have influenced generations of marimbists. Many of Zivkovic’s compositions (for example: Ilijas, Ultimatum1, Trio per uno) have become standards in contemporary percussion repertoire worldwide. His symphonic works are performed by top orchestras, such as the National Symphony Orchestra (Washington D.C.), the BBC Concert Orchestra (London), the Orchestra di Santa Cecilia (Rome), the Hiroshima Symphony Orchestra and The Northern Sinfonia in Newcastle, UK. In addition to his thrilling and challenging concert works, he has composed many pieces for younger players. In particular, the pedagogical compositions from his „Funny Mallets Series“ are among the world’s best sold works for mallet instruments. With nearly 300 performances of his works each year in over 50 countries, Zivkovic is one of the most frequently performed composers of marimba and percussion music.

As a charismatic soloist, mostly with his own marimba and percussion concertos, Zivkovic has performed with the Stuttgart Philharmonic, the Munich Symphonic, the Bochum Phiharmonic, the Austrian Chamber Symphony, the Hannover Radio Symphony, the Bielefeld Philharmonic, the Belgrad Philharmonic, the Slovenian Philharmonic, the Slovenian Radio Symphony Orchestra, the National Orchestra of Costa Rica and many others. He has also performed in such prestigious venues as the Viennas „Konzerthaus“, National Recital Hall Taipei and the Stockholms „Nybrokajen“. In addition to his composing and concert activities, he gives master classes and seminars in Europe, Asia, Mexico and regularly through the USA.

For 20 years now Zivkovic has performed exclusively on Yamaha marimbas, since these are the instruments that perfectly fit all his needs. Zivkovic plays a YM-5100A.

For more information on current projects, concert dates, compositions and CD’s, please visit: www.zivkovic.de.

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Concerts & Master Classes

2008: celebrating 20 years of N. J. Zivkovic & Yamaha

Win a scholarship for Nebojsa Zivkovic’s Summer Academy 2008

Yamaha Music Central Europe GmbH is pleased to announce a scholarship for marimba and percussion students! The Summer Academy takes place from August 24 th – August 31 st , 2008 at the Landesmusikakademie in Neuwied-Engers, Germany. Please visit Nebojsa Zivkovic’s website for more details: www.zivkovic.de/marimbacourse.htm

The scholarship has a value of 590,00 EUR. Yamaha will cover all costs including course fee, room and board. Participants have to cover only the cost of transportation to and from the Summer Academy. The participants must be over 18 years of age. Applicants will be selected according to their current musical ability and their demonstrated future potential.