33rd BASSOMANIA (2024)
Guest: Todor Marković (NDR Hannover)
The 33rd edition of the Bassomania Festival was held from December 11 to 15, 2024. This year’s masterclass was led by the renowned Todor Marković, solo double bassist of the NDR Orchestra in Hannover. His recital with pianist Dušan Egerić took place on December 13 at the Faculty of Music in Belgrade.
On December 14, the concert “Three Premieres” was held at the Christian Adventist Church, featuring brand-new compositions for double bass and string orchestra by Ivan Jevtić, Tatjana Milošević, and Aleksandar Sedlar. The soloists were Slobodan Gerić and Dušan Zdravković, accompanied by the St. George Strings under the baton of Srboljub Dinić.
The festival concluded with the traditional Students’ Concert on December 15 at the Faculty of Music. Bassomania 2024 once again brought together generations of bassists, composers, and audiences in celebration of the artistry and spirit of the double bass.
32nd BASSOMANIA (2023)
Guest: Ivan Kitanović (Wiener Symphoniker)
The 32nd edition of the Bassomania Festival took place from December 13 to 18, 2023, at the Faculty of Music in Belgrade and several prestigious concert venues throughout the city. This year’s masterclass was led by Ivan Kitanović, solo double bassist of the Vienna Symphony Orchestra, and featured a series of four concerts showcasing renowned artists and young performers alike.
The festival opened on December 16 with a recital by Ivan Kitanović (double bass) and Dušan Egerić (piano) at the Christian Adventist Church. On December 17, Ljubinko Lazić performed with the ensemble 13 String Players under the baton of Srđan Sretenović at the Belgrade Philharmonic Hall, followed by the Students’ and Pupils’ Concert at the Faculty of Music the same day. The festival concluded on December 18 with a recital by Filip Dokljanov (double bass) and Dušan Egerić (piano) at the Student Cultural Center, celebrating the new generation of Serbian double bass artists.
Once again, Bassomania proved to be a unique platform for musical exchange and collaboration, bridging students and professionals in a shared passion for the art of the double bass.
31st BASSOMANIA (2022)
Guest: Prof. Rick stotijn (robert schumann hochschule, düsseldorf)
The 31st edition of the Bassomania Festival took place from December 15 to 18, 2022, at the Faculty of Music in Belgrade and the city’s leading concert venues. The festival featured an exceptional lineup of performances and masterclasses, once again confirming Bassomania’s reputation as one of the most significant double bass events in the region.
The festival began on December 15 with a recital by Stevan Jovanović (double bass) and Bojana Dimković (piano) at the Belgrade Philharmonic Hall, featuring works by Fauré, Beethoven, and Schubert. On December 17, the traditional Students’ Concert took place at the Faculty of Music, followed by the highlight event of the festival — a recital by Rick Stotijn (double bass) and Dušan Egerić (piano), with special guests The Four and a Half Double Basses Quartet. Their program included music by Vivaldi, Bottesini, Lançen, Schumann, Tabakov, Montag, Popović, and Milošević, performed at the Christian Adventist Church.
Throughout the festival, Rick Stotijn led an inspiring masterclass for students and professionals, held at the Faculty of Music from December 15 to 18. His teaching and artistry left a lasting impression, enriching the festival’s long tradition of excellence and creative collaboration.
30th BASSOMANIA (2021)
Guest: Prof. Roman patkoló (University of music, basel)
The 30th jubilee edition of Bassomania marked three decades of one of the most respected regional and European festivals dedicated to the art of the double bass. Held in Belgrade from December 9 to 12, 2021, the festival brought together leading artists, professors, and students, continuing its long tradition of celebrating the depth and expressiveness of the instrument.
The program featured the Double Bass Quartet, consisting of renowned regional musicians whose long collaboration has defined a unique artistic sound. The special guest of the jubilee edition was Roman Potkolo (Slovakia) — one of the most acclaimed double bass virtuosos in the world — who performed with pianist Dušan Egerić, delivering a concert of extraordinary energy and musical sophistication.
A highlight of the festival was the premiere of Patrick Süskind’s monodrama “The Double Bass Player,” performed by actor Đorđe Kreća under the direction of Vladan Đurković, at the Belgrade Philharmonic Hall on December 11.
The festival concluded with a Gala Concert of the most promising double bass students and pupils, who had the honor of closing the jubilee edition with a performance in the newly renovated Concert Hall of the Faculty of Music in Belgrade.
As part of the celebration, a concert presentation of the exclusive double CD and monograph “30th Bassomania,” published by the Faculty of Music’s Publishing Center, was held on December 10.
The event once again confirmed Bassomania’s place as a central meeting point for the double bass community of Southeast Europe and beyond.
