Dušan Bogdanović (
Serbian: Душан Богдановић) (born 1955) is a Serbian-born American composer and
classical guitarist. He has explored musical languages which are reflected in his style today: a synthesis of classical, jazz, and ethnic music.[1] As a soloist and in collaboration with other artists, he has toured extensively throughout Europe, Japan, and the U.S.[1] He has taught at the
University of Southern California,
San Francisco Conservatory, and the
Geneva University of Music.
His performing and recording activities include work with chamber ensembles of diverse stylistic orientations: the
Falla Guitar Trio; a harpsichord and guitar duo with
Elaine Comparone; and
jazz collaborations with
Anthony Cox,
Charlie Haden,
James Newton,[2]Milcho Leviev,
Arto Tunçboyacıyan, and others. Notably, he is a co-author with Sting on "Prisms (Six Song by Sting)" published by Singidunum Music and Steerpike Overseas Limited.
Dušan Bogdanović's recording credits include close to twenty albums (on Intuition, Doberman, Ess.a.y, M.A. Recordings, GSP and other labels), ranging from Bach
Trio Sonatas to contemporary works. Over two hundred of his compositions are published by Bèrben Editions (Italy),
Doberman-Yppan (Canada) and Guitar Solo publications (San Francisco).
His theoretical work includes
polyrhythmic and polymetric studies, as well as a bilingual publication covering three-voice
counterpoint and
Renaissance improvisation for guitar (Bèrben) and Ex Ovo. (Doberman-Yppan). He has also collaborated on multi-disciplinary projects involving music, psychology, philosophy, and fine arts.[1]
Partial discography
Worlds, M.A (1989)
Keys to Talk By, M.A (1992)
Bach with Pluck! ESS.A.Y (1992)
Levantine Tales, M.A (1992)
Bach with Pluck! Vol. 2, ESS.A.Y (1994)
In the Midst of Winds, (1994)
Mysterious Habitats, Guitar Solo Publications, (1995)
Unconscious in Brazil, Guitar Solo Publications (1999)
Introduction, Passacaglia and Fugue for the Golden Flower (1985), Berben 3015
Sonata no.2, (1985), Berben 2581
Polyrhythmic and Polymetric Studies, (1990), Berben 3320
Raguette no.2, (1991), Berben 3601
Six Balkan Miniatures (1991), Guitar Solo Publications 79
Mysterious Habitats (1994), Guitar Solo Publications 131
In Winter Garden (1996), Guitar Solo Publications 163
Three African Sketches (1996), Guitar Solo Publications 195
Book of the Unknown Standards (1997),
Doberman 267
Three Ricercars (1998), Doberman 258
Triptico en Omenaje a Garcia Lorca (2002), Doberman 532
Hymn to the Muse (2003), Doberman 525
Fantasia (hommage a Maurice Ohana) (2009), Doberman 697
Chamber music with guitar
Sonata Fantasia, 2 guitars (1990–91), Berben 3501
No Feathers on This Frog, 2 guitars (1990), Doberman 300
Canticles, 2 guitars (1998), Doberman 281
Tres Nubes, 2 guitars (2004), Doberman 488
Tombeau de Purcell, 2 guitars (2004), Doberman 504
Trio, 3 prepared guitars (1989), Doberman 675
Pastorale, 3 guitars (1991), Guitar Solo Publications 190
Lyric Quartet, 4 guitars (1993), Berben 3669
Introduction and Dance, 4 guitars (1995), Doberman 278
Codex XV, 4 guitars or guitar ensemble (1998), Doberman 263
The Snow Queen (A Musical Fairy Tale after H. C. Andersen), guitar ensemble (7) and narrator (2008), Doberman 669
Pure Land, voice, flute and guitar (poetry by Patricia Capetola) (1981) Doberman 681
Crow, voice, flute, guitar and bass (poetry by
Ted Hughes) (1990), Doberman 269
Five Songs on poetry by
Gabriela Mistral, voice and guitar (1991), Doberman 318
Metamorphoses, harp and guitar (1993), Berben 3777
Like a String of Jade Jewels (Six Native American Songs), voice and guitar (1994), Doberman 306
Do the Dead Know What Time it is? (poetry by
Kenneth Patchen), voice and guitar (1996), Doberman 296
And Yet..., flute, koto and guitar (flute and 2 guitars) (1997), Doberman 236
Sevdalinka, 2 guitars and string quartet (1999), Doberman 406
Byzantine Theme and Variations, guitar and string quartet (2002), Doberman 453
Games, (poetry by
Vasko Popa), voice, flute, guitar, bass and percussion (2) (2002), Doberman 465
Guitar and orchestra
Concerto, guitar and string orchestra (1979), Doberman 400
Prayers, 2 guitars and string orchestra (2005), Doberman 570
Kaleidoscope, concerto for guitar and chamber ensemble (2008), Doberman 659
No Feathers on This Frog, 2 guitars and symphonic orchestra (1990), Doberman 694
Silence for guitar and orchestra (2015), Doberman 991
Miscellaneous
A Journey Home, with Georgia Kelly, (1989) Global Pacific ON 54152
Six Illuminations, piano (1994), Berben 3778
Cantilena and Fantasia, piano (1995), Doberman 357
Do the Dead Know What Time it is? (poetry by Kenneth Patchen), voice, flute, cello and piano (1996), Singidunum Music
Balkan Mosaic, oboe, flute, violin, cello, keyboards and percussion (2000), Doberman 364
Three Obfuscations, piano (2001), Doberman 397
To Where Does the One Return?, 7 non- specified percussion instruments,(2001), Doberman 296
Over the Face of the Water, piano 4 hands (2003), Singidunum Music
Codex XV, string orchestra (2004), Doberman 486
Critical and scholarly studies
Kishimine, Hiroshi. A Close Look Into the Diverse World of Dusan Bogdanovic; discovering influences through analyses of selected solo guitar works. DMA diss.,
Shenandoah Conservatory, Virginia, 2007.
Hong Chu Tee, Modern Classical Guitar its use of Scordatura: a Historical Background and its Exploration from the Late Twentieth Century to the Present, A Dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements of
University of Glamorgan for the degree of MMus, 2012, pages 50–56
Morey II, Michael J., A Pedagogical and Analytical Study of Dušan Bogdanović’s Polyrhythmic and Polymetric Studies for Guitar, diss. D.M.A.,
University of North Texas,2011
García Álvarez, Ma. Carmen. "Dusan Bogdanovic (Serbia 1955 -) Eclecticismo musical en su obra para guitarra". Andalucía educa, no. 109. (Julio 2013) p. 8-9.
Samuele Benvenuti," Jazz Sonata di Dusan Bogdanovic contestualizzazione e spunti analitici,"Università degli studi di Pavia, Laurea in musicologia, 2013-2014
Clarysse Silke, Dušan Bogdanović, een componist in dialoog met de wereld; Etnologische invloeden op "Six Balkan Miniatures", "3 African Sketches" en op het oeuvre van Dušan Bogdanović in het algemeen. D. M. A., Leuven University College of Arts, 2014