SERBIAN MUSIC CRITICISM OF THE INTERWAR PERIOD: TEXTS ABOUT MUSIC BY DANICА KRSTIĆ IN THE MAGAZINE MUZIČKI GLASNIK

Abstract

The paper analyzes the texts of Danica Krstić (1873–1966) in the magazine Muzički glasnik, published in 1922 in Belgrade. Danica Krstić is known to the professional public as one of the first piano teachers at the Serbian Music School (from 1903 to 1940) and as the author of the first piano textbook in the Serbian language, Piano School (1911). However, few people know the fact that she was also a music critic in the magazine Muzički glasnik. Namely, she gave two critical reviews of the concerts of young pianists - Ćiril Ličar and Vera Lotar. In both articles, the author used the same method - it is an analytical presentation of the works that are in the repertoire, while the emphasis is on the performing skills of the mentioned artists. This fact is not surprising, given that the author was professionally oriented towards performing. The paper will also discuss the historical development and importance of music criticism in Serbia in the period between the two World Wars. The historical processes through which music criticism in our region went through, as well as the methods of changes in the critical model in the period between the two World Wars, will be pointed out. It will also be discussed about the magazine Muzički glasnik in the context of selected articles, but also the entire magazine as one of the most important in the domestic area in the mentioned time frame. The goal is to highlight the diverse professional involvement of Danica Krstić and her role in the process of developing musical culture and education in Belgrade and Serbia at the beginning of the 20th century. The paper uses the method of theoretical analysis as well as an analytical-musicological view of the concert life of the Serbian capital.