This project envisions the creation of a new clarinet concerto by Bosnian composer David Mastikosa, written for and in collaboration with the celebrated Belgian clarinetist Roeland Hendrikx. The concerto, with an estimated duration of up to 20 minutes, will serve as a contemporary response to the legacy of the classical clarinet concerto.
Roeland Hendrikx is widely regarded as one of Europe’s leading clarinetists, particularly known for his dedication to contemporary repertoire and his close collaborations with living composers. His refined musicianship, deep stylistic awareness, and curiosity for new sonic worlds make him the ideal soloist for this endeavor.
David Mastikosa, himself a former clarinetist, brings an exceptional idiomatic understanding of the instrument, allowing him to approach the concerto form from both a performative and compositional perspective. His works often explore timbral detail, structural clarity, and a dynamic sense of motion, blending extended techniques with emotionally resonant musical ideas. The planned concerto will exploit the clarinet’s full expressive and technical range, offering a compelling artistic challenge for both soloist and orchestra.
This will also be one of the first contemporary clarinet concertos by a composer from Bosnia and Herzegovina, and potentially the first to be performed internationally by a soloist of this stature. In this way, the project contributes not only to the global clarinet repertoire but also to the visibility of Southeastern European contemporary music on the international stage.
The collaboration also reflects a shared European artistic vision and opens possibilities for performances in both Western and Southeastern Europe, creating new platforms for dialogue, cultural exchange, and artistic innovation.