A Conversation with Composers Dubravko Detoni and Zoran Juranić on Stjepan Šulek

On Sunday, May 11, 2025, at 5:30 PM, as part of the final day of the Zagreb Music Spring festival, a conversation was held in the foyer of the Main Hall of the Vatroslav Lisinski Concert Hall with Šulek’s former students, composers Dubravko Detoni and Zoran Juranić, under the title ALTE SCHULE(K): Remembering the Teacher. The discussion was moderated by musicologist Jelena Vuković.

Through an engaging and often humorous exchange with Detoni and Juranić, we looked back on the legacy of Stjepan Šulek – composer, teacher, and charismatic authority whose influence shaped generations of Croatian musicians. The two composers shared personal experiences, memories, and anecdotes from their time working with the Maestro.

The audience had the opportunity to learn about Šulek’s relationship with his students – from the process of entering his composition class, to how he was perceived by his students, and what his lessons were like. The conversation also explored how Detoni’s and Juranić’s relationships with their teacher evolved after graduation, as well as how their individual compositional paths related to Šulek’s lasting influence.

The discussion ultimately opened up a broader reflection: Are we ready to understand Šulek’s legacy in today’s musical context?