CZ Duo Recital – Filip Zivanovic, Guitar; Benjamin Cold, Soprano & Alto Saxophones

Group Bio:

The Cold/Živanović Duo was formed in 2018 by Benjamin Cold and Filip Živanović, both D.M.A. alumnus from the University of Minnesota.  Since it’s formation, the CZ Duo has performed as guest artists at various universities throughout the United States.  In November 2018, they performed as guest artists (by invitation) at the International Contemporary Music Festival in Havanna, Cuba.  This was their international debut.

Filip and Benjamin are both strong supporters of new and contemporary music written by living composers.  As such, they have worked with a variety of both young and established composers on commission projects, expanding the repertoire available for this unique chamber instrumentation.

Filip Zivanovic Bio:

Filip Živanović was born in Belgrade, Serbia. During his early education, he has won over 30 first prizes at national and international competitions in Serbia and abroad. In 2010 he enrolled the University of Belgrade, School of Music. Since 2011 he has performed in a duo with his fellow guitarist Momčilo Aleksandrić as Belgrade Guitar Duo. He has attended master classes with some of the renowned classical guitar experts such as: Aniello Desiderio, Hubert Käppel, Roland Dyens, Paolo Pegoraro, Denis Azabagić etc.

In 2014 he graduated with the honors at the University of Belgrade under the guidance of professor Srđan Tošić. He has achieved a master’s degrees in both classical guitar performance and chamber music at the same University. He started Doctorate studies in chamber music performance in Belgrade, and now he is working on his Doctorate in classical guitar performance with prof. Maja Radovanlija at University of Minnesota School of Music. During his time at University of Minnesota he has won top prizes at the numerous competitions across the United States such as International Memphis Guitar Competition 2017, Appalachian Guitar Festival 2018 (North Carolina), Southern Guitar Festival 2018 (South Carolina), Schubert Club Competition 2018 (Minnesota), etc.

Since 2003. he has given numerous solo recitals and performed in Europe and United states. Also, he performed actively as a member of various chamber ensembles (guitar duo and trio, and duos with flute, saxophone and violin).

Dr. Benjamin Cold Bio:

Described as a “passionate and gifted soloist” (Libby Larsen – 2015) with “flawless technique and intuitive musicianship” (Craig Kirchhoff – 2016),  Dr. Benjamin Cold is currently Professor of Single Reeds at Bemidji State University, where he teaches applied saxophone and clarinet, instructs woodwind ensembles, and directs the BSU contemporary music ensemble since the Fall of 2016.  In addition, Dr. Cold instructs applied saxophone and woodwind chamber ensembles at the University of Wisconsin – River Falls since the Fall of 2018.  As a passionate advocate of new music, he has been involved in the commissions and premieres of dozens of compositions for solo and chamber saxophone, most of which were dedicated to him. His work has been performed and recorded on Classical Minnesota Public Radio, National Public Radio, and The Skeptics Guide to the Universe.  Throughout his professional career, he has held residencies, taught master classes and given guest recitals and performances across the country at many of the Nation’s top academic institutions including, but not limited to the University of Minnesota, Bowling Green State University, Kansas State University, North Dakota State University, and the University of North Texas.  Most recently, Dr. Cold finished a performance tour in Havana, Cuba as a member of the Cold/Zivanovic Duo.