The most beautiful chamber music in the most beautiful concert hall

Zagreb Kom 7, or Zagreb's 7th International Chamber Music Festival, is expected to lure many lovers of this music genre to Zagreb between 12th and 20th October. The festival programme includes over 25 concerts and features a line-up of prominent musicians who will perform in one of the most beautiful concert halls in Europe – the concert hall of the Croatian Music Institute.

Since she first moved to Zagreb in 2004, Susanna Yoko Henkel, the artistic director of Zagreb's International Chamber Music Festival and one of the world's leading young violinists, has put Zagreb on the world map of chamber music.

Everything started in 2006. Inspired by the beauty of one of the most attractive chamber music halls in Europe, the one at the Croatian Music Institute, she decided to launch a festival which will have its seventh consecutive edition this year. From what started as a modest event, with only a few concerts, this year's Zagreb Kom 7 Festival of Chamber Music will go on for 8 days, between 12th and 20th October, and it will offer chamber music lovers a number of wonderful musical treats.
The festival programme will take place every day except 15th October. In addition to a total of over 25 concerts which will be performed by musicians from all over the world, the organizers have announced a lot of pleasant surprises.

The festival will kick off with the programme “8 Seasons” featuring compositions by Antonio Vivaldi and Astor Piazolla performed by Croatian and international musicians. The programme on the second day will be “Viennese Night”  (Fritz Kreisler - Anton Webern - Ludwig van Beethoven - Franz Schubert), followed by the “Mozart Matinee” on Sunday. After a one day break, Tuesday is reserved for chamber delights with narration, i.e. the programme “Peter and the Wolf”. On Wednesday the “Contemporary Music Lounge” programme will bring many surprises, while on Thursday the audience will enjoy famous compositions by 'Johannes Brahms & Friends' (Robert Schumann and Antonín Dvoøák). The 'Russian Night' will close the festival with compositions by Anton Arensky and Dmitri Shostakovich.

Many prominent names from the world of music will appear on the festival stage during those eight days. Over 25 musicians from all over the world have announced their arrival; Croatians as well as some great names from Russia, Ukraine, Great Britain, Norway, Hong Kong, Finland, and Japan. Among them, a prominent place certainly belongs to the festival's artistic director, violinist Susanne Yoko Henkel. A true citizen of Zagreb, Susanne Yoko Henkel first started to play the violin at the tender age of two, learning from her mother. She was born to a German – Japanese family who encouraged her to learn and practice for hours, which has paid off based on the numerous recognitions she has earned all over the world. Today she plays on Stradivari's violin “Ex Leslie Tate” from 1710 which was given to her by a private owner.

There is no doubt that the festival will again draw the attention of many chamber music lovers to whom Susanne Yoko Henkel promises a wonderful atmosphere, just like during the previous six years. This is not only because of the music and musicians, but also because of the beauty of the concert hall of the Croatian Music Institute, which is located in the very centre of Zagreb. The building dates back to 1827 and its concert hall has 450 seating places.

To learn more about the programme of concerts at Zagreb's 7th International Chamber Music Festival go to
www.zagreb-festival.com.