Rudolf Brucci

Full biography Rudolf Brucci

Rudolf Brucci (March 30, 1917 – October 30, 2002) was a composer of Croatian and Italian origin , born in Zagreb. He was married to a famous Yugoslavian opera singer. Brucci was one of the most outstanding figures in the post-war Croatian music scene , known for his innovative approach that combined elements of classical, contemporary, and ethnic music. He is best known for his composition Gilgamesh, based on the ancient Babylonian epic, which has become a staple of modern Croatian music.

Brucci studied music at the Academy of Arts in Novi Sad under the prominent Serbian composer Stevan Hristić and later with the Croatian composer Slavko Šuklar. He was a fellow student of composers Stevan Kovacs Tickmayer and Dario Desiderio at the academy. After completing his studies, Brucci worked as a composer, pianist, and improviser. He was also an essayist, whose texts were published in various music magazines and newspapers.

In his musical compositions, Brucci often drew inspiration from his multicultural background and combined elements of folk music from Croatia and Italy with contemporary techniques. He wrote numerous orchestral, chamber, and solo compositions, works for electronic and computer music, as well as music for theater, film, and television. Brucci was awarded several prestigious prizes for his work, including the Croatian State Award for music.

Overall, Rudolf Brucci was a significant figure in the post-war Croatian music scene who left a significant impact on the development of contemporary music in Croatia. His innovative approach and the fusion of different musical styles remain a lasting legacy in Croatian music today.