Musical Stories by Matea present a Hans Zimmer Artist Aleksandra Šuklar

Matea Leko and Aleksandra Šuklar joined forces in interpretation of Gerassimez’ famous piece “Piazonore”. This Musical Story is also Matea’s first collaboration with percussion instrument, after presenting a rock singer, viola and violin star players in previous editions.   
 

Get to know more about Aleksandra

Aleksandra Šuklar has established herself as a versatile multi-percussionist and marimba artist, whose playing is characterized by her excellent musicality, technique, temperament, and sensitivity to any musical style. She is a prize-winner of numerous competitions across Europe and has been recognized by the Federal Chancellery of Austria as one of the most outstanding young Artists living in Vienna.

Šuklar finished her Bachelor and Master of Arts degrees with Prof. Nebojša Jovan Živković at MUK – The Music and Arts University of the City of Vienna in 2016. She has been described by musical critics as an artist with excellent technique, musicality, temperament, and sensitivity to musical style; skills that contribute to her excellent performance.

Her musical spectrum expands from classical music, contemporary works for percussion to film music and crossover projects. Even the great musical rock star among film music composers – Hans Zimmer – has acknowledged Šuklar's exceptional talent. 

Here is what he says about her: "Aleksandra is such a phenomenal musician, embracing the traditions and revolutionizing our future. I'll never write another piece for percussion without having her add her creative grace and fire to it."

In case you haven’t discovered the Oscar winning name behind Lion King, Batman, Inception and The Da Vinci Code scores yet, take a moment to read about the impressive talent and work of Hans Zimmer. 

Hans Zimmer – the Rock Star Among Music Composers

Hans Zimmer is a world-renowned composer and music producer known for his iconic scores for films such as The Lion King, Gladiator, Inception, and The Dark Knight. Born in Frankfurt, Germany, in 1957, Zimmer started playing music at an early age, learning to play the piano, guitar, and drums.

He started his career as a keyboardist and synthesizer player for the band The Buggles, and later formed his own band, the New Romantics, before moving to Hollywood in the late 1980s to pursue a career in film scoring.

Zimmer's breakthrough came in 1988 with his score for the film Rain Man, which earned him his first Academy Award nomination. He went on to score numerous other films, including Driving Miss Daisy, The Lion King, and Gladiator, for which he won an Academy Award for Best Original Score in 2001.

One of Zimmer's most notable achievements is his ability to create scores that are memorable and emotionally impactful. He has a talent for crafting themes that perfectly capture the tone and mood of the films they accompany. His music is often characterized by its use of strong rhythms, orchestral arrangements, and electronic elements.

In addition to his work in film, Zimmer has also collaborated with a variety of artists and musicians, including Pharrell Williams, Johnny Marr, and Steve Vai. He has also been involved in numerous live performances, including his highly successful tour "Hans Zimmer Live," which has toured around the world.

Zimmer's work has been recognized by the film industry with numerous awards, including four Grammy Awards, three Classical BRIT Awards, two Golden Globes, and an Academy Award. He has also been awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in recognition of his contributions to the film industry. Beyond his musical achievements, Zimmer has also been involved in various philanthropic efforts.

In recent years, Zimmer has continued to produce iconic scores for films such as Interstellar, Dunkirk, and Blade Runner 2049. He has also worked on television projects, such as the critically acclaimed series Planet Earth II.

Zimmer is a highly respected and accomplished composer and producer, whose work has left an indelible mark on the film industry. He has a unique ability to craft memorable and emotional scores that perfectly complement the films they accompany. Zimmer's contributions to the world of music and film are immeasurable, and his continued success is a testament to his incredible talent and hard work.

Aleksandra Šuklar – A Rising Star

In recent years, Aleksandra Šuklar has been touring arenas worldwide and collaborating with Hans Zimmer as part of his band of soloists in “World of Hans Zimmer” and “Hans Zimmer Live.” The fact that Šuklar is selected for these projects among all other talented musicians in the world is tremendous.

Šuklar's engagements as a soloist include performances in concert halls such as Musikverein Vienna, Konzerthaus Vienna, Slovenian Philharmonic, Deutsches Theater Berlin, and at festivals like Rolex Arts Weekend, Klangwolke Linz, and Wien Modern, to name a few. Her collaboration with Matea Leko in 2022 was a great contribution to Matea's project Musical Stories, which started out as a passion project during the difficult lockdown months that swept the globe in 2020.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehfGL3tEbts
Aleksandra and Matea performed "Piazonore" by Alexej Gerassimez for this edition of Musical Stories. Aleksandra just started another tour with Hans Zimmer and we wish her good luck with all the performances!!

Exceptional Artistic Vision by Alexej Gerassimez

Piazonore is a captivating and evocative musical composition created by the talented German percussionist and composer, Alexej Gerassimez. This mesmerizing piece showcases Gerassimez's exceptional artistic vision, innovative approach, and mastery of percussion instruments, leaving listeners enthralled and immersed in a world of rhythmic complexity and sonic beauty.

In Piazonore, Gerassimez seamlessly blends elements of classical, contemporary, and world music, resulting in a unique and enchanting sonic tapestry. The composition begins with a gentle and mysterious introduction, luring the audience into a musical journey full of surprises and emotions. Gradually, the rhythmic intensity builds up, as various percussion instruments take center stage, captivating the listeners with their vibrant sounds and intricate patterns.

Piazonore stands as a testament to Alexej Gerassimez's remarkable talent and creativity as a composer and percussionist. It showcases his ability to push the boundaries of percussion music, creating a captivating and immersive experience for his audience. With its blend of genres, rhythmic complexity, and emotional depth, Piazonore is a musical masterpiece that leaves a lasting impression and serves as a testament to the power of percussion music to transport and inspire.

Matea and Aleksandra brought this piece in a unique arrangement. We hope that this is just a start of many other successful collabs between these two artists.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=ehfGL3tEbts