Jan Gorjanc

HARPIST Jan Gorjanc, born in 1993 in Ljubljana, is currently in his 3rd year studying harp with Ieuan Jones and composition with Haris Kittos at Royal College of Music (RCM), London. In summer 2014 he won 1st prize at the Salvi competition in Italy, where he also won 1st, 2nd and 3rd prizes in previous years. In autumn 2013 he won 3rd prize at an international competition in Slovenia. He has performed solo recitals in London and Slovenia, played in chamber groups with harpists, flautists and guitarists. He has also performed with orchestras as soloist since he was 16. He performs with the RCM Symphony Orchestra, most recently under the baton of Sir Roger Norrington and Andrew Gourlay. As a member of the RCM Harp Ensemble, he performed with Jana Bouškova at a concert in January 2014. Jan has also learnt from world renowned harpists at their masterclasses, as encouraged by his first teacher Bronislava Prinčič, who taught him from 2004 to 2012. He is currently an active composer and his works (chamber opera, solo harp and piano pieces) have been premiered at various prestigious venues such as Cadogan Hall in London and Slovenian National Opera in Ljubljana. COMPOSER Jan Gorjanc, born in 1993 in Ljubljana, is currently in his 3rd year studying composition with Haris Kittos and harp with Ieuan Jones at Royal College of Music (RCM). His recent compositions include two ensemble operas, piece for chamber choir and solo pieces for harp, organ and piano. His music is always challenging, highly dramatic, full of contrasts and very chromatic. Every aspect and detail is taken care of in the score and his pieces always push the limits of performers’ and instruments’ abilities. Jan had his London debut in April 2014, when he directed a world premiere of his chamber opera APAXNH at Cadogan Hall, London, which was extremely well received by the audience. Another memorable premiere of his piece, Étude Pédalogique, took place in Slovenian National Opera in October 2014. His pieces are also performed at the Royal College of Music by both Junior Department and College students. There are already several premieres listed for the year 2015 at venues such as St. James Cathedral (London), The Brdo Congress Centre, Church of St. Cantianus (Slovenia) and RCM. He started his musical education in year 2004 with Bronislava Prinčič, who was also very supportive at the early stages of composing and performing his own pieces. He won several prizes at international harp competitions in Slovenia and Italy. Having played in many orchestras and chamber groups he actively participates at various events for harpists and composers at RCM and around London. In addition to being taught by his teachers, he has also attended masterclasses with composers, conductors and harpists (Steve Reich, Eric Whitacre, Wilson Hermanto, Jana Bouskova, Fabrice Pierre, Marisa Robles, Gabriella Degli Esposti, Sasha Boldachev).