Radovan Cavallin


Radovan Cavallin is a Croatian clarinetist, professor, and chamber musician.
He is principal clarinet of the and a clarinet professor at the orchestra's academy.
Cavallin has performed internationally as a soloist and chamber musician and is known for his interpretations of both classical and contemporary clarinet repertoire.

Early life and education

Cavallin began studying clarinet at the age of nine. At thirteen, he became the youngest student ever admitted to the Academy of Music at the University of Zagreb, where he graduated with distinction in 1986.
He later studied at the Conservatoire de Paris, having been selected from among seventy-six applicants. There he earned the Premier Prix in Chamber Music and the Premier Prix in Clarinet, both unanimously awarded.
His studies were supported by several scholarships:
  • 1986 – Ivo Pogorelich Scholarship
  • 1987 – Nadia and Lily Boulanger Scholarship
  • 1988–1989 – French Government Scholarships

    Career

Since 1989, Cavallin has served as principal clarinet of the Orquesta Filarmónica de Gran Canaria. He has performed as a soloist with orchestras across Europe, Asia, and the Americas, including:
He has performed concertos by composers such as Jean Françaix, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Carl Nielsen, Charles Villiers Stanford, Aaron Copland, Carl Maria von Weber, Henri Tomasi, Tōru Takemitsu, Franz Danzi, Richard Strauss, Max Bruch, Franz Krommer, Claude Debussy, Philippe Leloup, Fernando Palacios, and Ante Grgin.
In 2011, Cavallin appeared as a soloist with Sting on the Symphonicity tour at the Estadio de Gran Canaria. He has performed at festivals in Ferrara, Dubrovnik, Bad Hersfeld, Germany, La Orotava, Brussels, Lisbon, Ibagué, Lanzhou, and Baton Rouge.

Chamber music

Cavallin is a founding member of several chamber ensembles, including:
With Alisios Camerata he has toured internationally, including a series of concerts in Japan.

Teaching and festivals

Cavallin has given over sixty master classes worldwide and has served as a juror in clarinet competitions in Spain, Croatia, Portugal, and the United States.
He is artistic director of the Gran Canaria International Clarinet Festival and the Virovitica International Musical Meeting in Croatia.
He has also taught at the Quintanar de la Orden and at the International Clarinet Course “Julián Menéndez” in Ávila, Spain.
From 2002 to 2010, he was professor of clarinet, chamber music, and orchestral repertoire at the Conservatorio Superior de Música de Las Palmas.

Awards

  • 1981, 1983, 1985, 1986 – First Prize, National Clarinet Competition of Yugoslavia
  • 1984 – First Prize, International Clarinet Competition, Ancona, Italy
  • 1995 – Second Prize, International Clarinet Competition Dos Hermanas, Seville, Spain

    Recordings

Cavallin's discography includes releases on Yugoton, Croatia Records, BMG Arte Nova, Maguelone, AgrupArte Productions, Cristal Records, Summit Records, and ASV. Selected recordings:
  • Françaix / Mozart: Concertos for Clarinet – Philharmonic Orchestra Gran Canaria
  • Horn Trios by Brahms, Reinecke, Duvernoy – Crystal Records
  • Heitor Villa-Lobos: Chôros 1–7 – ASV
  • Miniaturas: Chamber Music by Nino Díaz – Venue
  • 11 per 1 In 1 – Croatia Records

    Instruments

Cavallin performs on Henri SELMER Paris “Privilège” clarinets.