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CAUGHT UNAWARES
HOWARD SMITH listens to Serbian pianist
Sonja Radojkovic in New Zealand
Last month, when Serbian pianist Sonja Radojkovic came to New Zealand, unknown and largely
unheralded, she liked all she saw and she conquered provincial audiences in four
memorable recitals.
Sonja Radojkovic standing near to New Zealand native bush in Taumaranui. Photo © 2003 Howard Smith
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Thirty four-year-old Radojkovic was the first classical artist here from the former
Yugoslavia since hostilities in the Balkans diminished; and seasoned Kiwi music lovers were
unprepared for her on-stage charm and vehement, poetic musicianship.
Sonja Radojkovic performing at the Wel Energy Performing Arts Centre (Steinway), Waikato University, Hamilton. Photo © 2003 Howard Smith
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At Masterton, the smallest centre in which she performed, the pianist received a spontaneous
ovation; an accolade seldom, if ever seen there before. In Palmerston North to the west, the
respected critic called her 'one of the great artists of our time', and in Hamilton
enthusiastic well-wishers presented her with flowers -- Russian style -- from the audience. On
the sunny east coast, at Napier, beside the Pacific, the reviewer was positively glowing in
his praise of Radojkovic's technical command.
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Copyright © 21 September 2003
Howard Smith, Masterton, New Zealand
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