Klara Mlakar
composer
About
Klara Mlakar (b. 1999) is a Germany-based Slovenian composer who delves into the human voice and the subtle musical structures and capabilities of instruments. Recurring motifs in her music include an exploration of perception and understanding, as well as a contemplation of the sublime. Her inspiration often draws from diverse sources, including visual arts, poetry and psychology.
Her works have been performed at renowned festivals, including CEME Tel Aviv, ZeitGenuss, R!SK, the Ljubljana New Music Forum, the Taiwan International Choral Festival, Europa Cantat, the Biennale Chor Aachen and .abeceda Contemporary music festival, performed by Ensembles such as Ensemble Musikfabrik, Meitar Ensemble, Ensemble Recherche, Slowind, Badische Staatskapelle Karlsruhe and the The Slovene Philharmonic String Chamber Orchestra among others.
She is pursuing a Soloist Exam in composition at the Karlsruhe University of Music (Germany), where she previously completed her master’s degree under the guidance of Prof. Markus Hechtle and Prof. h.c. Dr. Wolfgang Rihm. She earned her bachelor’s degree in composition and music theory at the Ljubljana Academy of Music (Slovenia) in the class of Prof. Vito Žuraj. She expanded her knowledge and skills with renowned composers, including Miroslav Srnka, Rebecca Saunders, Milica Djordjević, Carola Bauckholt, Brigitta Muntendorf, Oxana Omelchuk, Johannes Caspar Walter, Johannes Kalitzke, Annesley Black, Iris ter Schiphorst and others.
Works
Upcoming
2025/2026
Concert Season 2026/2027; new work for Slovenian Philharmonic Orchestra.
Concert Season 2026/2027; new work for Slovenian Philharmonic Choir.
22.-26.06.2026, .abeceda institute Contemporary music Festival Bled; composing residency, new work for ensemble.
27.05.2026, Final Concert Solistenexamen, Wolfgang Rihm Forum, Hochschule für Musik Karlsruhe; portrait concert.
08.05.2026, The Norwegian Soloists’ Choir and tomorrow’s conductors, Sagene Kirke, Oslo (Norway); world premiere of a work for a chamber choir, conductor Tom Varl.
09.02.-13.02.2026; Academy for contemporary Music, Luzerne University for applied Sciences and Arts; new work for ensemble.
16.01.2026, Hochschule für Musik Karlsruhe: Klassenkonzert Zimmer 205; performance of a piece “Daphne an der Sonnenwende” for soprano, string quartet and piano.
07.-09.12.2025, Ljubljana/Maribor (Slovenia); Re_humanisation XII, “Decomposing Composer”, string quartet residency of .abeceda Institute.
14.12.2025, Cankar Hall Ljubljana (Slovenia), “Traveling music” (Potujoča muzika) concert; performance of a piece “Riba Faronika” for children choir.
10.11.2025, Music School Vrhnika (Slovenia), Concert of Lan Meden; performance of a piece “Bedtime Stories” for baritone saxophone and piano. Saxophone: Lan Meden, Piano: Sven Brajković.
26.10.2025, “Marjan Kozina” Hall, Slovenian Philharmonc, Concert of the 7th Primorska Youth Singers’ Camp; performance of a piece “Riba Faronika” for children choir.
12.09.2025, University of Ljubljana, Academy of Music (Slovenia), Master concert of Lan Meden; performance of a piece “Bedtime Stories” for baritone saxophone and piano. Saxophone: Lan Meden, Piano: Sven Brajković.
22.8.2025, Kinogledališče Tolmin (Slovenia), Closing concert of the 7th Primorska Youth Singers’ Camp; world premiere of a piece “Riba Faronika” for children choir.
01.07.2025, 19:30, Conservatory of Music Ljubljana (Vegova 7), Concert organised by Roya Saxophone Quartet; performance of a piece “Crime and punishment” for two saxophone players. Performed by Valeria Kučan and Tia Ivajnšič.
21.06. 2025, 19:30, Union Hall, Maribor (Slovenia), Concert “In the search of hidden voices” by Duo Meden – Brajković; premiere of a piece “Bedtime Stories” for baritone saxophone and piano.
20.06.2025, 21:00, Badisches Staatstheater Karlsruhe (Studio): 3. NachtKlänge – AnKlang“; premiere of a piece “I looked and I saw the ghosts” for ensemble, conducted by Ulrich Wagner.
04.06.2025, 19:00, Konzerthaus Klagenfurt (Blauer Saal): Alma Mahler Musikverein präsentiert: AFORM.duo & Alexandr & Daria Kleshchenko; premiere od a cycle of art song “Ženske/ Women”. Performed by AFORM.duo.
03.06.2025, 19:30, Hochschule für Musik Karlsruhe: Klassenkonzert Zimmer 205; performance of a piece “Under your skin…” for violin, cello and piano. Performed by Rebekka Stoll, Yangkai Lin and Anita Hoffmann.
12.04.2025, 19:30, Kulturni dom Bistrica ob Solti (Slovenia), concert “Odmev s Kozjanskega”; performance of pieces “Petelinček” and “Ko sva sama” for female choir, premiered by MePZ Zarja iz Šentvida ob Solti and MePZ Bistrica ob Solti.
11.04.2025, 19:30, Kulturni dom Šentvid pri Planini (Slovenia), concert “Odmev s Kozjanskega”; premiere of pieces “Petelinček” and “Ko sva sama” for female choir, premiered by MePZ Zarja iz Šentvida ob Solti and MePZ Bistrica ob Solti.
09.02.2025, Kunst Uni Graz: International Chamber Music Competition “Franz Schubert and modern music”; premiere of a piece “Couperin” for piano and soprano from a cycle of art songs “Ženske/ Women”. Performed by AFORM.duo.
26.01.2025, 19:00, Badisches Staatstheater Karlsruhe (Kleines Haus): 1. Kammerkonzert Extra – Gedenkend; premiere of a piece “Daphne an der Sonnenwende” for soprano, string quartet and piano.
21.01.2025, 18:30, Kunst Uni Graz: Liederabend “Slovenec sem, slovenec sem!”; “Pozabi” for four female voices.
13.01.2025, 20:00, Cologne, Ensemble Musikfabrik: Brass Academy 2025- closing concert; premiere of a piece “Tell me a secret” for trumpet, horn, trombone and tuba.
10.01.2025, 19:30, Hochschule für Musik Karlsruhe: Klassenkonzert Zimmer 205; performance of a piece “Lullaby” for prepared piano. Performed by Vinícius Benalia Penteado.
Gallery
Portraits copyright © Regina Jakšič
Klara Mlakar
“Create like nobody is watching. Because nobody actually is.”