A Close Look Into the Diverse World of Dušan Bogdanović: Discovering Influences Through Analysis of Selected Solo Guitar Works

The compositions of Serbian-born guitarist/composer Du an Bogdanović are highly eclectic, projecting many influences, both musical and non-musical, such as classical music, ethnic and folk music, jazz, and literature. This study delves into Bogdanović's diverse musical world and discovers his compositional philosophies and ideas, by way of analyzing four particular groups of Bogdanović's solo guitar compositions that best reflect his main influences--music of the Balkans, the Middle East, Africa, and jazz. Bogdanović's compositional traits and techniques often seen in his solo guitar works in general are also discussed. Improvisation, a common practice among all of the aforementioned musical styles to a varying degrees, plays a vital role in Bogdanović's music, and how he integrates that aspect into his music is discussed as well.