Banja Luka violinist Jovana Raljić has captivated audiences across Europe and Asia in recent months, delivering a string of acclaimed performances that have confirmed her status as a top-tier soloist and a concertmaster of international renown.
With the ensemble “European Soloists,” she enjoyed a successful guest appearance in Luxembourg and also performed several concerts at Austria’s renowned Grafenegg Festival.
Particularly strong emotions accompanied her recent performance at the Münchner Künstlerhaus in Munich—an exceptional honor, as the world’s greatest soloists have performed in this prestigious hall throughout history.
“This concert opened doors for future engagements in Belgium, Luxembourg, and Israel, and I am also expecting a new tour in China, with a program that combines classical virtuosity and elements of jazz interpretation. Two years ago, as a soloist and concertmaster of the orchestra Vienna Virtuosi, I toured seven Chinese cities,” Raljić told Glas Srpske.
She still vividly remembers last year’s tour of Japan, where she performed in 12 cities as a concertmaster. It was her second appearance in the country, following a series of successful concerts in 2023.
“Being a concertmaster, alongside the solo aspect of my career, is deeply fulfilling. As the leader of a symphony orchestra—linking the conductor with the principal players of all sections—I have the freedom to shape the orchestra’s sound and make it more cohesive. Audiences in Japan and China allow you to truly convey the essence of music. The energy you receive there is something you cannot experience anywhere else,” she emphasized.
Raljić also received an invitation to perform at Italy’s Musica Mantova festival, where she curated a full program for solo violin—without accompaniment—for the first time, choosing the most demanding repertoire possible.
“Only in that way can you keep the audience fully engaged while testing all the techniques you’ve developed over the years. Few violinists dare to accept such an offer, but I enjoy pushing my own boundaries. The audience was delighted, and Italian newspapers published reviews praising not only my technique, but also my authentic, sensitive musicality,” she added.
Over the past decade, Raljić has performed with the Vienna, Graz, Hungarian, Polish, and Finnish Philharmonics, as well as the Czech Symphony Orchestra. Despite her long-standing international career, she remains highly motivated to continue growing.
“I never stop learning and exploring. Every performance is an opportunity to try something new and connect with the audience in a unique way. I am always searching for a balance between technique, emotion, and innovation—that’s what drives me,” she said.
In addition to her solo career, Raljić serves as principal violinist of the Vienna Symphony Orchestra and concertmaster of the Antwerp Symphony Orchestra in Belgium. For many years, she was also the first violin of the Banja Luka Philharmonic. She began her musical journey with the children’s ensemble “Vrapčići” in Banja Luka and remains the only performer to have won the Đurđevdan Festival twice—two years in a row.
Source: See Srpska
