The Ivan Filipović Chamber Choir
25 YEARS OF VOCAL EXCELLENCE
Founded in Zagreb in 1998, the Ivan Filipović Chamber Choir (KZIF) has, for more than 25 years, cultivated the highest standard of a cappella choral performance under the artistic direction of conductor Goran Jerković. The choir’s repertoire encompasses Renaissance, Baroque, and contemporary choral music, shaped by a clearly defined interpretative vision based on precision, tonal balance, and expressive musicality.
Throughout its artistic activity, the choir has enriched the Croatian music scene with performances of numerous large-scale vocal-instrumental works by composers such as Vivaldi, Bach, Mozart, Handel, Orff, and Mahler, collaborating with distinguished Croatian and international ensembles. Its contribution to contemporary music is especially noteworthy through world premieres of works by Croatian composers, as well as the first Croatian performances of works by Eric Whitacre, Morten Lauridsen, and Ola Gjeilo.
The Ivan Filipović Chamber Choir regularly performs at distinguished national and international venues and festivals. Among its most notable guest appearances are performances at the United Nations General Assembly in New York (2015), Cologne Cathedral (2024), Casa da Música in Porto (2025), as well as festivals in Barcelona, Bratislava, and Scotland. The choir has also toured and performed in Israel, Taiwan, Bulgaria, France, Germany, Italy, China, Turkey, and the United Kingdom.
For its artistic achievements, the choir has received numerous awards, including two Grand Prix prizes as well as gold and silver distinctions at prestigious international competitions in Italy, Germany, China, and Turkey. It is also the recipient of the Milka Trnina Diploma (2008), one of the most significant honours awarded by the Croatian Society of Music Artists.
The choir’s discography includes the albums A cappella (2003), Membra Jesu Nostri (2010, CD and DVD), and Praizvedbe u HAZU (2013). On the occasion of its 25th anniversary, the monograph 25 Years of Excellence was published in 2024.
The Ivan Filipović Chamber Choir continues to inspire audiences through its concert cycles, especially within its Advent and festive-season programmes, as well as through collaborations with leading artists, while remaining firmly committed to the development and promotion of choral art.
The Ivan Filipović Chamber Choir
25 YEARS OF VOCAL EXCELLENCE
Founded in Zagreb in 1998, the Ivan Filipović Chamber Choir (KZIF) has, for more than 25 years, cultivated the highest standard of a cappella choral performance under the artistic direction of conductor Goran Jerković. The choir’s repertoire encompasses Renaissance, Baroque, and contemporary choral music, shaped by a clearly defined interpretative vision based on precision, tonal balance, and expressive musicality.
Throughout its artistic activity, the choir has enriched the Croatian music scene with performances of numerous large-scale vocal-instrumental works by composers such as Vivaldi, Bach, Mozart, Handel, Orff, and Mahler, collaborating with distinguished Croatian and international ensembles. Its contribution to contemporary music is especially noteworthy through world premieres of works by Croatian composers, as well as the first Croatian performances of works by Eric Whitacre, Morten Lauridsen, and Ola Gjeilo.
The Ivan Filipović Chamber Choir regularly performs at distinguished national and international venues and festivals. Among its most notable guest appearances are performances at the United Nations General Assembly in New York (2015), Cologne Cathedral (2024), Casa da Música in Porto (2025), as well as festivals in Barcelona, Bratislava, and Scotland. The choir has also toured and performed in Israel, Taiwan, Bulgaria, France, Germany, Italy, China, Turkey, and the United Kingdom.
For its artistic achievements, the choir has received numerous awards, including two Grand Prix prizes as well as gold and silver distinctions at prestigious international competitions in Italy, Germany, China, and Turkey. It is also the recipient of the Milka Trnina Diploma (2008), one of the most significant honours awarded by the Croatian Society of Music Artists.
The choir’s discography includes the albums A cappella (2003), Membra Jesu Nostri (2010, CD and DVD), and Praizvedbe u HAZU (2013). On the occasion of its 25th anniversary, the monograph 25 Years of Excellence was published in 2024.
The Ivan Filipović Chamber Choir continues to inspire audiences through its concert cycles, especially within its Advent and festive-season programmes, as well as through collaborations with leading artists, while remaining firmly committed to the development and promotion of choral art.
Goran Jerković
Founder, Conductor and Artistic Director of the Ivan Filipović Chamber Choir
Goran Jerković (b. 1968, Slavonski Brod) graduated from the Academy of Music in Zagreb. As the founder, conductor, and Artistic Director of the Ivan Filipović Chamber Choir, he has shaped the ensemble into a choir of distinctive sonic aesthetics, outstanding intonation, and remarkable musicality, with a clearly defined artistic vision rooted in meticulous work, demanding repertoire, and interpretative consistency.
He furthered his training with distinguished international experts in choral interpretation, particularly of Renaissance and Baroque music (Peter Phillips, The King’s Singers, Alastair Hume, Katalin Kiss, Klaus-Jürgen Etzold, Mats Nilsson). He completed a masterclass in choral conducting in Vancouver under Jon Washburn, where he conducted the professional ensemble Vancouver Chamber Choir. He is also the recipient of an international scholarship from the Musica Mundi Choral Academy.
In his work, he devotes particular attention to a cappella choral literature and early music, as well as to the meticulous shaping of each vocal line. With the Ivan Filipović Chamber Choir, he has achieved a series of notable performances and Croatian premiere performances, among which the oratorio works of George Frideric Handel, Dietrich Buxtehude, and Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy hold a prominent place.
He has also introduced Croatian audiences to the works of contemporary choral composers such as Morten Lauridsen, Ola Gjeilo, and Eric Whitacre. As the initiator and editor of the Praizvedbe u HAZU project, he has also encouraged the creation of a number of new choral works by contemporary Croatian composers, inspired by traditional and liturgical musical heritage.
He is active as a lecturer and leader of seminars for conductors and choir directors, as a producer and organiser of music events, and as a member of numerous professional adjudicating panels. He has received several Croatian and international professional awards.
Goran Jerković
Founder, Conductor and Artistic Director of the Ivan Filipović Chamber Choir
Goran Jerković (b. 1968, Slavonski Brod) graduated from the Academy of Music in Zagreb. As the founder, conductor, and Artistic Director of the Ivan Filipović Chamber Choir, he has shaped the ensemble into a choir of distinctive sonic aesthetics, outstanding intonation, and remarkable musicality, with a clearly defined artistic vision rooted in meticulous work, demanding repertoire, and interpretative consistency.
He furthered his training with distinguished international experts in choral interpretation, particularly of Renaissance and Baroque music (Peter Phillips, The King’s Singers, Alastair Hume, Katalin Kiss, Klaus-Jürgen Etzold, Mats Nilsson). He completed a masterclass in choral conducting in Vancouver under Jon Washburn, where he conducted the professional ensemble Vancouver Chamber Choir. He is also the recipient of an international scholarship from the Musica Mundi Choral Academy.
In his work, he devotes particular attention to a cappella choral literature and early music, as well as to the meticulous shaping of each vocal line. With the Ivan Filipović Chamber Choir, he has achieved a series of notable performances and Croatian premiere performances, among which the oratorio works of George Frideric Handel, Dietrich Buxtehude, and Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy hold a prominent place.
He has also introduced Croatian audiences to the works of contemporary choral composers such as Morten Lauridsen, Ola Gjeilo, and Eric Whitacre. As the initiator and editor of the Praizvedbe u HAZU project, he has also encouraged the creation of a number of new choral works by contemporary Croatian composers, inspired by traditional and liturgical musical heritage.
He is active as a lecturer and leader of seminars for conductors and choir directors, as a producer and organiser of music events, and as a member of numerous professional adjudicating panels. He has received several Croatian and international professional awards.
Project announcement
Guest Appearance in Germany on the Occasion of the 20th Anniversary of the Vocal Ensemble Capella Moguntina
In September, the Ivan Filipović Chamber Choir will travel to Germany, where it will appear as a special guest at two concerts celebrating the 20th anniversary of the vocal ensemble
In September, the Ivan Filipović Chamber Choir will travel to Germany, where it will appear as a special guest at two concerts celebrating the 20th anniversary of the vocal ensemble Capella Moguntina from Mainz.
The anniversary will be marked with the programme “Lieblingsstücke”, in which Capella Moguntina will present works that have held a special place in its repertoire and in the hearts of its members throughout twenty years of artistic activity. The Ivan Filipović Chamber Choir will join this musical mosaic, presenting selected works from the Croatian choral heritage.
The programme opens with „Voda zvira iz kamena” by Josip Štolcer Slavenski, one of the most important Croatian composers of the 20th century. This is followed by „Zdrava Devica” by Mato Lešćan, while Croatian traditional musical heritage will be represented by the composition „Gora, gora visoka si” by Emil Cossetto. A special place in the programme is given to contemporary approaches to Croatian traditional music, including „Zite” by Joško Ćaleta, as well as the traditional composition „Svetoj Žrtvi Uskrsnici” (Victimae paschali laudes) arranged by Joško Ćaleta specifically for the Ivan Filipović Chamber Choir.
Odabrani program predstavlja različita lica hrvatske zborske glazbe - umjetničku obradu tradicije, duhovnost, suvremeni skladateljski izraz i snažnu povezanost s hrvatskim glazbenim nasljeđem. Gostovanje je prilika da se hrvatska glazbena tradicija susretne s bogatim njemačkim zborskim nasljeđem, ali i da se nastave veze koje kroz kulturu i umjetnost povezuju Zagreb i Mainz.
Concerts:
12 September 2026 at 6:00 PM
Evangelical Church, Rüdigheim (Neuberg)
13 September 2026 at 7:00 PM
St. Quintin, Mainz
Project announcement
Guest Appearance in Germany on the Occasion of the 20th Anniversary of the Vocal Ensemble
Capella Moguntina
In September, the Ivan Filipović Chamber Choir will travel to Germany, where it will appear as a special guest at two concerts celebrating the 20th anniversary of the vocal ensemble
In September, the Ivan Filipović Chamber Choir will travel to Germany, where it will appear as a special guest at two concerts celebrating the 20th anniversary of the vocal ensemble Capella Moguntina from Mainz.
The anniversary will be marked with the programme “Lieblingsstücke”, in which Capella Moguntina will present works that have held a special place in its repertoire and in the hearts of its members throughout twenty years of artistic activity. The Ivan Filipović Chamber Choir will join this musical mosaic, presenting selected works from the Croatian choral heritage.
The programme opens with „Voda zvira iz kamena” by Josip Štolcer Slavenski, one of the most important Croatian composers of the 20th century. This is followed by „Zdrava Devica” by Mato Lešćan, while Croatian traditional musical heritage will be represented by the composition „Gora, gora visoka si” Emila Cossetta. Posebno mjesto u programu zauzimaju suvremeni pristupi hrvatskoj tradicijskoj glazbi - „Zite” by Joško Ćaleta, as well as the traditional composition „Svetoj Žrtvi Uskrsnici” (Victimae paschali laudes) arranged by Joško Ćaleta specifically for the Ivan Filipović Chamber Choir.
The selected programme presents the diverse faces of Croatian choral music – the artistic interpretation of tradition, spirituality, contemporary compositional expression, and a strong connection with Croatia’s musical heritage. This guest appearance provides an opportunity for Croatian musical tradition to meet Germany’s rich choral heritage, while also continuing the cultural ties that connect Zagreb and Mainz through culture and the arts.
Concerts:
12 September 2026 at 6:00 PM
Evangelical Church, Rüdigheim (Neuberg)
13 September 2026 at 7:00 PM
St. Quintin, Mainz
Projects
Selection of Recent Concerts, Tours and Repertoire
Projects
Selection of Recent Concerts, Tours and Repertoire
A CAPPELLA
The a cappella repertoire is crucial to the artistic work of the choir because it provides an opportunity to develop vocal technique, better understand complex harmonic relationships and achieve sonic homogeneity.
It also allows for the creation of a distinctive choral sound that is important to its identity and success. Such an approach requires a high level of discipline, technical certainty and interpretative precision, but at the same time opens up space for the convincing performance of the most demanding musical achievements from Renaissance polyphony to contemporary choral literature. A cappella performances also define the identity of the choir and establish a living link with the historical and cultural heritage, especially through the systematic nurturing of the works of Croatian composers.
Oratories and Masses...
The large vocal-instrumental forms - oratorios and masses constitute one of the key strongholds of the choir's artistic activity. Monumental works from the 17th to the 21st centuries require technical certainty, stylistic awareness and interpretative maturity, and their performance allows the integral formation of complex musical entities. In cooperation with instrumental ensembles and soloists, the choir builds a sound of a wide expressive range, combining precision and inner composure with communicativeness towards the audience. This repertoire gives the concerts a special artistic weight and a spiritual dimension and confirms the ability of the choir to carry out the most demanding large-scale projects.
C. Monteverdi
C. Gesualdo di Venosa
A. Lotti
W. Byrd
T. L. de Victoria
G. P. da Palestrina
T. Tallis ...
A. Pärt
J. Tavener
M. Lauridsen
J. Busto
E. Whitacre
O. Gjeilo
P. Mealor
D. Močnik
...
J. Skjavetić
I. Lukačić
I. Matetić Ronjgov
F. Lučić
A. Vidaković
E. Cossetto
D. Kempf
F. Parać
T. Uhlik
M. Tarbuk
J. Ćaleta
…
J. S. Bach: Magnificat; Weihnachts-Oratorium (Christmas Oratorio)
D. Buxtehude: Membra Jesu nostri
A. Bruckner: Te Deum
M.-A. Charpentier: Te Deum; In nativitatem Domini canticum
A. Campra: Requiem (Messe des Morts)
J. Gilles: Requiem (Messe des Morts)
G. F. Handel: Dettingen Te Deum
J. Haydn: Die Schöpfung (The Creation)
F. Mendelssohn Bartholdy: Te Deum
W. A. Mozart: Great Mass in C minor; Requiem; Coronation Mass
A. Vivaldi: Gloria
G. Mahler: VIII Symphony (Symphony of a Thousand)
L. Janáček: Glagolitic Mass
C. Orff: Carmina burana
M. Lauridsen: Lux aeterna
O. Gjeilo: Sunrise Mass, Luminous Night of the Soul
A. Rahbari: Zarathustra Spitama
A CAPPELLA
The a cappella repertoire is crucial to the artistic work of the choir because it provides an opportunity to develop vocal technique, better understand complex harmonic relationships and achieve sonic homogeneity.
It also allows for the creation of a distinctive choral sound that is important to its identity and success. Such an approach requires a high level of discipline, technical certainty and interpretative precision, but at the same time opens up space for the convincing performance of the most demanding musical achievements from Renaissance polyphony to contemporary choral literature. A cappella performances also define the identity of the choir and establish a living link with the historical and cultural heritage, especially through the systematic nurturing of the works of Croatian composers.
C. Monteverdi
C. Gesualdo di Venosa
A. Lotti
W. Byrd
T. L. de Victoria
G. P. da Palestrina
T. Tallis ...
A. Pärt
J. Tavener
M. Lauridsen
J. Busto
E. Whitacre
O. Gjeilo
P. Mealor
D. Močnik
...
J. Skjavetić
I. Lukačić
I. Matetić Ronjgov
F. Lučić
A. Vidaković
E. Cossetto
D. Kempf
F. Parać
T. Uhlik
M. Tarbuk
J. Ćaleta
…
Oratories and Masses...
The large vocal-instrumental forms - oratorios and masses constitute one of the key strongholds of the choir's artistic activity. Monumental works from the 17th to the 21st centuries require technical certainty, stylistic awareness and interpretative maturity, and their performance allows the integral formation of complex musical entities. In cooperation with instrumental ensembles and soloists, the choir builds a sound of a wide expressive range, combining precision and inner composure with communicativeness towards the audience. This repertoire gives the concerts a special artistic weight and a spiritual dimension and confirms the ability of the choir to carry out the most demanding large-scale projects.
J. S. Bach: Magnificat; Weihnachts-Oratorium (Christmas Oratorio)
D. Buxtehude: Membra Jesu nostri
A. Bruckner: Te Deum
M.-A. Charpentier: Te Deum; In nativitatem Domini canticum
A. Campra: Requiem (Messe des Morts)
J. Gilles: Requiem (Messe des Morts)
G. F. Handel: Dettingen Te Deum
J. Haydn: Die Schöpfung (The Creation)
F. Mendelssohn Bartholdy: Te Deum
W. A. Mozart: Great Mass in C minor; Requiem; Coronation Mass
A. Vivaldi: Gloria
G. Mahler: VIII Symphony (Symphony of a Thousand)
L. Janáček: Glagolitic Mass
C. Orff: Carmina burana
M. Lauridsen: Lux aeterna
O. Gjeilo: Sunrise Mass, Luminous Night of the Soul
A. Rahbari: Zarathustra Spitama
CHOIRS COMPETITIONS- FESTIVALS
CONCERT GUEST PERFORMANCES / TOURS
CHOIRS COMPETITIONS- FESTIVALS
Slovakia (2019.)
Spain (2019.)
France (2014.)
Turkey (2011.)
China (2006.)
Germany (2004.)
Italy (2002, 2007.)
Hungary (2001.)
…
CONCERT GUEST PERFORMANCES / TOURS
Srbija, Vojvodina, 2023. – Subotica, Novi Sad
Slovačka, 2019. – Žilina
Škotska, Velika Britanija, 2017. – Edinburgh, Glasgow, Stirling...
SAD, 2015. – New York
Austrija, 2012. – Beč
Bugarska, 2012. – Dupnica, Rila
Njemačka, 2011. – Braunschweig
Tajvan, 2006. – Taipei, Nantou, Tainan
Izrael, 2005. – Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Tel Hai
Slovakia (2019.)
Spain (2019.)
France (2014.)
Turkey (2011.)
China (2006.)
Germany (2004.)
Italy (2002, 2007.)
Hungary (2001.)
…
Serbia, Vojvodina, 2023. – Subotica, Novi Sad
Slovakia, 2019. – Žilina
Scotland, United Kingdom, 2017. – Edinburgh, Glasgow, Stirling...
USA, 2015. – New York
Austria, 2012. – Vienna
Bulgaria, 2012. – Dupnica, Rila
Germany, 2011. – Braunschweig
Taiwan, 2006. – Taipei, Nantou, Tainan
Israel, 2005. – Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Tel Hai
COLLABORATIONS
Zagrebačka filharmonija
Simfonijski orkestar HRT
Hrvatski komorni orkestar
Varaždinski komorni orkestar
Zadarski komorni orkestar
Orkestar Purpur
Orquestra Sinfónica do Porto Casa da Música
Utrechtsch Studenten Concert
…
Voces8
Barrocade Israeli Baroque Collective
Princeton University Choir
Croatian Baroque Ensemble
Cantus Ensemble
Camerata Split
Tamburitza Orchestra of Croatian Radiotelevision
…
Mitchell Sandler
Mimi Mitchell
Werner Ehrhardt
Stefan Lano
Sebastian Tewinkel
Alexander Rahbari
Stefan Blunier
Dawid Runtz
Dunja Vejzović
Saša Britvić
Ivan Repušić
…
COLLABORATIONS
Zagrebačka filharmonija
Simfonijski orkestar HRT
Hrvatski komorni orkestar
Varaždinski komorni orkestar
Zadarski komorni orkestar
Orkestar Purpur
Orquestra Sinfónica do Porto Casa da Música
Utrechtsch Studenten Concert
…
Voces8
Barrocade Israeli Baroque Collective
Princeton University Choir
Croatian Baroque Ensemble
Cantus Ensemble
Camerata Split
Tamburitza Orchestra of Croatian Radiotelevision
…
Mitchell Sandler
Mimi Mitchell
Werner Ehrhardt
Stefan Lano
Sebastian Tewinkel
Alexander Rahbari
Stefan Blunier
Dawid Runtz
Dunja Vejzović
Saša Britvić
Ivan Repušić
…
Morten Lauridsen’s (*1943) Lux aeterna
Ivan Filipović Chamber Choir and the orchestra of the Utrecht Student Concert. Conducted by Goran Jerković
Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Zagreb, 05 May 2010
Tomás Luis de Victoria (c.1548–1611): POPULE MEUS
Soloist: Marko Ivković, tenor
Quartet: Margareta Golenić (S), Maja Kordić (A),
Marko Fureš (T), Tomislav Šošić (B)
Ivan Filipović Chamber Choir
Conducted by Goran Jerković
St Peter’s Church, Zagreb, 08 April 2017
Arrangement by Joško Ćaleta: SVETOJ ŽRTVI USKRSNICI
(adapted for KZIF by G. Jerković)
Ivan Filipović Chamber Choir
Conducted by Goran Jerković
Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts
Zagreb, 09 June 2019
Arrangement by Joško Ćaleta (*1964): VIROVANJE
Soloists: Ivan Rimac, tenor and Ivan Šćepanović, baritone
Ivan Filipović Chamber Choir
Conducted by Goran Jerković
St Peter’s Church, Zagreb, 08 April 2017
Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy: AVE MARIA, Op.
23, No. 2
Ivan Filipović Chamber Choir
Conducted by Goran Jerković
Tenor solo – Dario Ćurić
Clarinet – Jaroslav Sadoviy, Rude Mimica
Bassoon – Vladimira Horvat Čolić, Aleksandar Čolić
Cello – Lea Sušanj
Double bass – Fran Petrač
Organ – Pavao Mašić
Concert marking the 20th anniversary of the Choir, held at the Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts Palace – Zagreb, 09 June 2019
Gregorian chant, arr. Phillip Lawson: VENI, VENI EMMANUEL
Ivan Filipović Chamber Choir
Conducted by Goran Jerković
Cathedral of St Peter and the Blessed Virgin Mary
Cologne, 08 December 2024
Morten Lauridsen (*1943): UBI CARITAS for S.A.T.B. (divisi) a cappella
Ivan Filipović Chamber Choir
Conducted by Goran Jerković
Croatian Music Institute
Zagreb, 20 December 2013
Morten Lauridsen’s (*1943) Lux aeterna
Ivan Filipović Chamber Choir and the orchestra of the Utrecht Student Concert. Conducted by Goran Jerković
Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Zagreb, 05 May 2010
Tomás Luis de Victoria (c.1548–1611): POPULE MEUS
Soloist: Marko Ivković, tenor
Quartet: Margareta Golenić (S), Maja Kordić (A),
Marko Fureš (T), Tomislav Šošić (B)
Ivan Filipović Chamber Choir
Conducted by Goran Jerković
St Peter’s Church, Zagreb, 08 April 2017
Arrangement by Joško Ćaleta: SVETOJ ŽRTVI USKRSNICI
(adapted for KZIF by G. Jerković)
Ivan Filipović Chamber Choir
Conducted by Goran Jerković
Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts
Zagreb, 09 June 2019
Arrangement by Joško Ćaleta (*1964): VIROVANJE
Soloists: Ivan Rimac, tenor and Ivan Šćepanović, baritone
Ivan Filipović Chamber Choir
Conducted by Goran Jerković
St Peter’s Church, Zagreb, 08 April 2017
Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy: AVE MARIA, Op.
23, No. 2
Ivan Filipović Chamber Choir
Conducted by Goran Jerković
Tenor solo – Dario Ćurić
Clarinet – Jaroslav Sadoviy, Rude Mimica
Bassoon – Vladimira Horvat Čolić, Aleksandar Čolić
Cello – Lea Sušanj
Double bass – Fran Petrač
Organ – Pavao Mašić
Concert marking the 20th anniversary of the Choir, held at the Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts Palace – Zagreb, 09 June 2019
Gregorian chant, arr. Phillip Lawson: VENI, VENI EMMANUEL
Ivan Filipović Chamber Choir
Conducted by Goran Jerković
Cathedral of St Peter and the Blessed Virgin Mary
Cologne, 08 December 2024
Morten Lauridsen (*1943): UBI CARITAS for S.A.T.B. (divisi) a cappella
Ivan Filipović Chamber Choir
Conducted by Goran Jerković
Croatian Music Institute
Zagreb, 20 December 2013
