On December 18th 2009 in Belgrade at the age of 97 conductor Oskar Danon died. Maestro Danon has graduated conducting and composition from the Prague State Conservatory and obtained his PhD in Philosophy from the Charles University in Prague. He was the first director of Opera and Ballet of the National Theater in Belgrade after the Second World War, chief conductor of Slovenian Philharmonic and Symphony Orchestra of Zagreb Radio and Television as well as professor at the Music Academy in Belgrade. He was an honorary conductor of Sarajevo Philharmonics, with whom he performed for the first time in 1930ies, and a member of the Academy of Arts and Sciences of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Oskar Danon has gained international fame and reputation by conducting the most important ensembles in the world, and during his prolific professional life, he has crossed paths with the outstanding figures of 20th century music.
In 2005 Oskar Danon’s memoir book “Rhythms of Unrest” was published, written by journalist Svjetlana Hribar and following Maestro’s narration. The promotions of the book were held in Rijeka, Zagreb, Varaždin, Sarajevo, Belgrade, Viškovo…
Born in Sarajevo, Oskar Danon has spent his final years in Baška on island Krk and in Belgrade.
