darina žurková is a composer, performer and sound artist born in Czechoslovakia, based in The Hague, Netherlands
Her work combines contemporary composition techniques with the use of electronics and is shaped into compositions, performances, fixed media pieces, live sets, installations or happenings. As a classically trained composer, pianist and improviser she often uses a prepared piano, voice, prepared zither and small objects combined with live electronics as a form of expression and she also enjoys working with text.
She is deeply fascinated by the exploration of imaginary, predominantly sonic ecosystems, investigating their inner fragilities. Her focus extends to the interplay of timbre on the edge of acoustic and processed sounds, along with granular processes and compositional strategies based on gradual changes.
Her work has been presented at various venues and festivals in the Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia, Germany, France, Portugal, Ukraine, the Netherlands, Indonesia and the United States – such as NYC Electroacoustic Improvisation Summit (New York, 2020), Meetings of New Music Plus International Festival (Brno, 2021, 2015), New Music in Ukraine Festival (Kyiv, 2022), Ostrava Days International Festival of New and Experimental Music (Ostrava, 2015), Experimental Intermedia (New York), Roy O. Disney Concert Hall (Los Angeles), Sonoscopia (Porto), Orlí Street Theatre (Brno), Korzo Theatre (The Hague) et al. Her compositions and projects have been performed by ensembles as PKF – Prague Philharmonia (CZ), Moravian Philharmonic Olomouc (CZ), Scordatura Ensemble (NL), Ensemble I&D (PT), ISHA Trio (CZ), et al.
Darina holds a Ph.D. in Composition and Composition Theory, she is a member of the iii (Instrument Inventors Initiative) workspace and STROOM artists The Hague.
reviews/interviews | education | teaching/research/lectures | conferences/residencies | publications | awards/grants
reviews/interviews
SulPonticello Interview, July 2022 (spa) ←
Radiocustica PremEdice Interview and a premiere of an electroacoustic composition breathers – broadcast, archive, February 2022 (cze) ←
KlasikaPlus Interview, December 2021 (cze) ←
His Voice Review, July 2020 (cze) ←
Noise Not Music Review, May 2020 (eng) ←
education
2015–2021 PhD, Diploma, Composition and Theory of Composition, Janáček Academy of Music and Performing Arts, Brno, CZ
2017–2018 PhD Study Internship, Institute of Sonology, Royal Conservatoire of The Hague, NL
2016–2016 PhD Study Internship, Composer-Performer Programme, California Institute of the Arts, Los Angeles, US
2013–2015 MA, Diploma, Composition, Janáček Academy of Music and Performing Arts, Brno, CZ
2013–2014 MA Study Internship, Composition Programme, Escola Superior de Música e Artes do Espectáculo, Porto, PT
2010–2013 BA, Diploma, Composition, Janáček Academy of Music and Performing Arts, Brno, CZ
2004–2010 DiS., Diploma, Double Major: Piano Performance and Composition, Janáček Conservatory in Ostrava, CZ
teaching/research/lectures
2018–2023 Research Associate, Institute of Sonology, Royal Conservatoire of The Hague, NL
2021, 2020 Guest Lectures, Institute of Sonology, Royal Conservatoire of The Hague, NL
2020–2020 Guest Lectures, International Symposium Trstěnice 2020, Composition & Percussion Workshop, Music Centre Haus Urban, Trstěnice, CZ
2017–2019 Researcher, Specific Research Funded Project by Janáček Academy of Music and Performing Arts, Brno, CZ
2015–2019 Teaching Assistant, Theory of Composition, Janáček Academy of Music and Performing Arts, Brno, CZ
2015–2019 Lecturer, Creative Electronics in Sound Performance, Janáček Academy of Music and Performing Arts, Brno, CZ
2015–2016 Teacher of Music Theory, Janáček Conservatory in Ostrava, CZ
2015–2016 Teacher of Piano Performance & Music Theory, Elementary Art School, Třinec, CZ
2008–2011 Teacher of Piano Performance & Music Theory, Music School Musicale, Studénka, CZ
conferences/residencies
2022 Colloquium Presentation, Institute of Sonology, Royal Conservatoire of The Hague, NL
2020 NYC Electroacoustic Improvisation Summit, Feb 28–29, Voorhees Theater (City Tech), New York, US
2019 Colloque International Être Compositrice, Mar 13–15, UNESCO & Sorbonne Université, Paris, FR
2017 X. International Ján Albrecht Symposium: Philosophical Conceptions in Music & Art, Oct 26–29, Ján Albrecht Music & Art Academy, Banská Štiavnica, SK
2016 DMA Presentation Week, Oct 3–7, California Institute of the Arts, Los Angeles, US
2015 Residency, Ostrava Days 2015: International Institute and Festival of New and Experimental Music, Ostrava, CZ
publications
ŽURKOVÁ, Darina. Granulární princip a jeho uplatnění v umělecké kompoziční praxi. Brno: JAMU, 2023. ISBN 978-80-7460-222-1.
ŽURKOVÁ, Darina. Granulární princip a jeho uplatnění v umělecké kompoziční praxi – především se zaměřením na zvukový design z perspektivy témbru [Granular principle and its application in artistic composition practice – especially with a focus on sound design from the perspective of timbre]. Disertační práce. Brno: Janáčkova akademie múzických umění v Brně., 2021.
ŽURKOVÁ, Darina. Modely mísení granulárních hudebních objektů a jejich aplikace do kompoziční praxe [Models of mixing granular musical objects and their application to compositional practice]. JAMUsica. 2020, roč. 2020, č. 1-2, s. 32-52. ISSN 2694-7579.
ŽURKOVÁ, Darina. Concepts overlaps and philosophy of granular synthesis: Thoughts on the approach to compositional work with granulated material. Vedecké, umelecké a filozoficko- estetické reflexie. 2017, Banská Štiavnica: HUAJA 7, s. 5–9. ISBN 978-80-972605-0-7.
awards/grants
2019 Scholarship for an Excellent Artistic Achievements, JAMU Brno, CZ
2017–2019 Student Grant Competition for Specific Research Funding, EU/HF JAMU Brno, CZ
2016 Grant of Rudolf Firkušný, financial support for PhD Study Internship at CalArts (US), JAMU Brno, CZ
2012 International Competition for Composers up to 30 years: Generace, 3rd Prize
2009 National Competition for Composers up to 30 years: Generace, 3rd Prize
2008 National Competition for Composers up to 30 years: Generace, 1st Prize
photo by David Hloušek