Ensemble Metamorphosis

l contemporary composers. From building careful and metered meditative atmospheres, to lively virtuoso sections, and powerful, furious crescendi, the orchestra confidently and decidedly brings a vast palette of colors and emotion. Metamorphosis usually performs without a conductor, led by charismatic and energetic Saša Mirković. When needed, the original lineup can be extended by other instruments, electronic and scenic elements. "Saša Mirković approached the piece devotedly, skillfully managing to make a very rich sound framework in which he felt himself comfortable. Together with his ensemble he created strong and full sound, ranging from piano to fortissimo. Maintaining tension from the beginning to the end, performers delivered furious interpretation which was one of the highlights of the evening.“

Radoš Mitrović, music critic
(Radio Belgrade 2, Autogram, Decembar 2016)


" String Orchestra Metamorphosis is a well trained ensemble with agile and, in terms of sound, steady parts...The ensemble has established an excellent balance between parts, carefully playing long lines that were aiming to the end of phrases." Radoš Mitrović, music critic
(Radio Belgrade 2, Ars sonora, May, 2016)

From its first days, the ensemble collaborates with Goran Bregović within the projects Orchestra for weddings and funerals, "My Heart has become Tolerant", Alcohol, and Memoirs of Queen Margot, on tours and in festivals in the world’s most famous concert halls (Toulouse Theatre, Essen Philharmonic, Carnegie Hall, Avery Fisher Hall in Lincoln center, Disney Hall, Sydney Opera House, the Palace of music...) Another important project of the ensemble, based on crossover of classical and popular music, was a full concert evening with world-famous violinist Vanessa Mae, in Februaray 2011 in Belgrade Arena. The first ensemble’s major solo concert took place on World Music Day, on June 21st, 2010. In December of the same year, six concert works for viola and chamber orchestra had already been written for Saša Mirković and Metamorphosis, and performed in the Hall of the Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra at the Festival KoMA. The authors were young composers, mostly students, of a very different poetics. Nurturing and promoting contemporary Serbian music of diverse aesthetics has remained the ensemble's mission, and today its repertoire includes works created by Milan Mihajlović, Dragan Jovanović, Milica Đorđević, Ana Gnjatović, Marko Aleksić, Aleksandra Vrebalov, Ana Milosavljević, Zoran Erić, Draško Adžić, Irena Popović, Vladimir Pejković, Nataša Bogojević, Vuk Kulenović, Vladimir Tošić, Vladimir Trmčić, Stevan Kovach Tickmayer, Svetlana Savić, Tatjana Milošević, Vlasimir Trajković, Anja Đorđević, Branka Popović, Predrag Repanić, Anica Sabo, Aleksandar Sedlar, Ivan Stefanović and may others
Together at festivals of contemporary music (KoMA, International Review of Composers) and through independent projects “Premieres and dedications” and “Hymns and Prayers”, the orchestra has so far premiered more than 80 new works, written by Serbian composers, but also by authors outside of Serbia, who have dedicated their compositions to the ensemble and its leader. In recent years, the ensemble has performed successfully in Serbia, Montenegro, Switzerland, Austria, Spain, at important festivals - Bemus, Dies Organorum, Budva Theatre City, within the Cycle of Concerts at Studio 6, Lasciar Vibrare in Students' CIty Cultural Centre (DKSG), at the opening ceremony of Jeuness Musicales... It has made numerous recordings for radio and television programs and is now preparing three CD releases. In February 2017, Ensemble Metamorphosis has been awarded the prestigious annual award for the best orchestra in 2016, awarded by Muzika Klasika Magazine. "Remaining faithful to its program orientations, the ensemble Metamorphosis continues to establish itself as a modern and extremely flexible music group opened to new experiences and innovative approaches to stage expression. Their repertoire includes gladly listened music of the past, but also works of contemporary authors of all generations. In the hands of their artistic director Saša Mirković, viola gets a whole new meaning, and not only as a solo instrument, but much deeper - it becomes a source of energy for his colleagues who always stand out as an inseparable parameter of his own success. Therefore, Saša Mirković should be appreciated for many reasons, but perhaps above all because he tirelessly makes excellent performances with newly, sometimes receptive, but always quality programs. "
Ana Ćirica, music editor and the speaker for Radio Belgrade 2
(Radio Belgrade 2, Ars sonora, Mart, 2016)