My cousin Ballerina Sanda Mis dancing in Coppelia

One of the benefits of Family Reunions is that you meet your cousins that you do not know at all and one happens to be a Ballerina at the Croatian National Theater. Impressive to me. Here is Sanda at the reunion and after her performance in Coppelia.

Croatian National Theater in Zagreb, outside.

Plays have been presented in Zagreb on squares and in churches since 11th century. First theater was built in 1836 with a donation from Kristofor Stanković, who won that money on lottery in Vienna. Town of Zagreb donated the lot on Marko's square to build a first National Theater. A new one was built in 1895 and this is what you see behind. Architects were Ferdinand Fellner and Herman Helmer.

Inside HNK

Coppelia

Nenad and Sanda with her daughter at the family reunion

Briefly after the performance outside of the theater. Nenad and Sanda

no photos allowed

Theater Kerempuh - Miro Gavran. Zagreb, Croatia

Borko Peric, Ivica Joncic, Zvonimir, Zoricic, Mladena Gavran, Miro Gavran, Nenad Bach and Marija Masanovic

One of the highlights of the trip to Croatia was meeting Miro Gavran, one of the most prolific and talented Croatian writers. Went to see "Papučari" (not sure how to translate that, but maybe "Male Pushovers"?), a situation comedy. Very impressive performance by Mladena Gavran in two rolls, with excellent "support" in main rolls by Ivica Joncic and Zvonimir Zoricic. Nothing like live theater. Full house with inspired cast. Everything was perfect, from text to casting and our stroll to Jelacic Square after the show to catch the last tramway. Perfect weather and company of Miro and Mladena Gavran. I was very happy to see a dear friend of mine Marija from Dubrovnik.

Miro, Mladena, Nenad and Ivo two hours before my flight to New York on June 25th, 2008.

Delicious cake and company at the Kaptol Center. Photo taken by Borko Peric's wife. Last time I saw Borko was in New York when "Two players from the bench" were at the Tribeca film Festival. Always a pleasure to meet him.

More information about Miro and Mladena Gavran
Miro Gavran
Theater Gavran

more: www.croatia.org

Radio visits in Zagreb on Wednesday June 18, 2008

Zvuci Dragog Kamena. Radio show with Mladen Magdalenic on Croatian Radio 1. I never refuse to be interviewed by him. He played my music when I was starting and I never forgot that. On the photo Mladen Magdalenic, Nenad Bach, back (engineer) Robert Tanaskovic. Photo taken by Darko Zubrinic. 11:30 AM

Darko Zubrinic and Nenad Bach before interview with Ivana Jadresic for Glas Hrvatske on Croatian Radio. Voice of Croatia that is broadcast worldwide on short wave radio and webcast. Darko is my friend and partner in CROWN. He is also editor in chief of CroatianHistory.net web page 12:30 AM

Nenad Bach and Slavko Nedic, Catholic Radio.

We recorded an hour long interview that will air in July. Slavko never fails to impress me. He is music director, composer and producer. Won a Porin this year. (Equivalent for Grammy in the USA). While being there I met Domagoj Pejic who gave me his two DVDs "Hvala Sveti Oce - cesta sijecanja" and "Pozvali su ga iz jedne daleke zemlje". His personal walking journey to Rome to see the Pope. Domagoj also brought delicious cookies from Medjimurje. I loved them and ate them as well. 3 PM

Family Reunion June 15th 2008, Zagreb, Croatia

20 of us came together from 3 different countries, from my father's side. Some of us have never seen each other and some of us didn't see each other for over 30 years or more. What I saw was a lot of happy faces. Family should ALWAYS stay together. We can think differently, believe differently but live together as much as possible.

Nenad, Dubravko and Enrique

Nenad, Berislav and Srećko

Cumulatively we took over 1000 photos. Now we need to collect and sort it all out. It is almost as difficult as putting this event together. I loved every minute of it and wouldn't change it for the world.

A lot of the photos with me in it look similar, because I am the one who is taking them from my own extended hand.

Nenad N. Bach
Zagreb, June 15th, 2008

Bruno Krajcar - Mate Balota - Nenad Bach - recording at Mario Juncic in Rijeka

Nenad, Bruno and Mario

On Saturday June 14th 2008 I recorded a song "The Rock We Love" by Mate Balota and Bruno Krajcar. Many artists singing in their own way song composed by Bruno on Mate Balota lyrics. Little that I heard, it all sounded fantastic. We recorded that morning at Mario Juncic studio, close to where I grew up. Mario has Neve and a touch of a professional. Settings for headphones have been done in advance very properly and he conducted the session flawlessly. We are waiting for a mix, that will be done in Rovinj. After the session Bruno and I visited Radojka Šverko, the best female vocal in Croatia, who prepared asparagus with eggs that will be difficult to forget. Perfect. Unfortunately no photo of Radojka, Ana, Bruno and myself. Someone needs to think of it and take it. All in all a full day. In the evening I drove back to Zagreb for the family reunion, that took place on Sunday.

DRAGI KAMEN - Mate Balota

NAŠ KRAJ JE ZVANKA BRIŽAN, PREZ POLJA I PREZ VODE
I SUNCE U NJEN PALI, KAMENJE U NJEN GORI,
A SVAKI MU ČOVIK ZA KRUH SE MUČNO BORI,
ZA GOLI SVOJ ŽIVOT, ZA MALO LIH SLOBODE.

SVEJENO NAN JE DRAG TI OŠTAR KAMIK SVAKI,
I SKASI I PEĆINE I DOCI I DOLINE
SVE MUKE I SVE PATNJE I SUNCA ZRAKI JAKI,
A UKO SVEGA MORE, KO GLEDAŠ OD MILINE.

ZAŠ MI SMO DICA SUNCA I VINA CRLENEGA,
I MORA VELIKOGA I JUGA TEPLE KRVI.
KAD ULIKA URODI, TO DAR NAN JE OD BOGA,
KAD LOZA NAN PONESE, NA SVITU MI SMO PRVI.

ZAŠ MI SMO DICA SUNCA I VINA CRLENEGA,
I MORA VELIKOGA I JUGA TEPLE KRVI.
KAD ULIKA URODI, TO DAR NAN JE OD BOGA,
KAD LOZA NAN PONESE, NA SVITU MI SMO PRVI.

SVO SREBRO, ČA SE SVITLI, SVO ZLATO ČA JE KADI,
JE MANJE MILO SRCU OD LITICE I KRASA:
SVI NAŠ ŽIVOT JE VEZAN UKO TRDOG SKASA,
DI SU NAN USTALI DANI MLADI.

SVEJENO NAN JE DRAG TI OŠTAR KAMIK SVAKI,
I SKASI I PEĆINE I DOCI I DOLINE
SVE MUKE I SVE PATNJE I SUNCA ZRAKI JAKI,
A UKO SVEGA MORE, KO GLEDAŠ OD MILINE.

ZAŠ MI SMO DICA SUNCA I VINA CRLENEGA,
I MORA VELIKOGA I JUGA TEPLE KRVI.
KAD ULIKA URODI, TO DAR NAN JE OD BOGA,
KAD LOZA NAN PONESE, NA SVITU MI SMO PRVI.

Trajna nina nena

ZAŠ MI SMO DICA SUNCA I VINA CRLENEGA,
I MORA VELIKOGA I JUGA TEPLE KRVI.
KAD ULIKA URODI, TO DAR NAN JE OD BOGA,
KAD LOZA NAN PONESE, NA SVITU MI SMO PRVI.

High School reunion. Visiting my homeland Croatia from June 10 - 25th 2008

High School Reunion Friday June 13th, 2008

As good as it gets. I love my high school buddies. Behind our door... screams, laughter..nothing changed. We stayed goofy and active. Not the case with many other classes. People are working in different countries, cities etc, same good spirit and inquisitive minds. We couldn't agree on most topics but we enjoyed all of them and when we are together we act upon given. Darko Tolja, brought music, so we danced. He also brought a rose for each of our girls. Also, this time I've seen other classes. Enjoyed seeing many other friends and acquaintances. Unfortunately I had to wake up early next morning to record a song for Bruno Krajcar and his new album composed on Mate Balota's lyrics, so I left around midnight. They stayed till 4 am.

My best friend from high school Darko Tolja

Goofy

Darko, paper girl, Nenad

Nenad N. Bach
Rijeka, Croatia Friday June 13th, 2008

Euro 2008. Croatia beat Germany 2-1. Watched in Rijeka, Croatia

I set on Kobler Square in Rijeka. Asked a stranger if it is OK to sit with him. There were no strangers that day. We were all one in our support for the soccer team to beat Germany in Euro 2008 Cup. And we did. 2 to 1. I wanted to see it with the crowd, with my own people. Came little bit earlier, for the benefit of sitting down, when I wanted. The man on the left was especially kind, the way he expressed himself. He also said that he has a gut feeling that we will win. Not that I didn't hear that before, but it is different when someone speaks with certainty. Our boys played a great soccer match (European football). In less than a year we beat England at Wembley 3:2 and Germany 2:1. Not bad for a small nation like Croatia.

I passed over this square thousands of times when I was growing up in Rijeka, Croatia.

Slaven Bilic on the screen.

After the game streets were rowdy. My decision, not to bring the car, but walk into the city, paid off.

Boris Rogic with his artwork. Vitraj of St. Vid

After the game I met my old friend Boris Rogic who has his own Atelier (Uzarska 15 B, Rijeka) and specializes in Tiffany lamps. Vitraj behind us was made by him. I wish we had more time to talk, but the effect of the game and my desire to sit on the main street Korzo didn't give us too much peace to talk. For me visiting Rijeka is like a twilight zone. People that I didn't see for 20-30 years are walking next to me and I feel like I left yesterday. Their children next to them, quite often look like them when they were young. Like a twilight zone. I am completely taken by it.

Nenad N. Bach
Rijeka, Croatia June 12th 2008
Croatia - Germany 2:1 Euro 2008

Marko and Rus, as always.

Miroslav Rus, Marko Perkovic - Thompson, Nenad Bach. June 11th 2008

Nenad Bach, Miroslav Rus, Marko Perkovic - Thompson, Ivica Bubalo and Branko Paic

As always Rus is dominating conversation that follows laughter and a new conversation that follows another laughter and... none of us are nothing less than Alpha male. Volume. I love company of intelligent and witty people, where all is possible in conversation and a lot of small surprises are almost inevitable.

It is becoming almost a traditional photo. Whenever I come to Croatia I meet Marko Perkovic Thompson without planing. Natural and pleasant. Higher intelligence.

Boston International Film Festival June 6th 2008

Reason for being at the Boston International Film Festival was a film "The Barber" directed by Jamie Cohen. Music by Nenad N. Bach. Great reception of the film by audience of full theater.

Tom Arnold, Jamie Cohen and Nenad Bach

Tom produced "This is not a test" a feature film.

Jamie Cohen, Patrick Jerome , Carly Cohen and Nenad Bach

Patrick Jerome is the program director for the festival. First day that we've seen was excellent. Which proves that the talent exist in a full form, but the recognition is not there. All of us have been more than pleasantly surprised in a quality of all films.

Jamie's sister Carly Cohen and Nenad Bach with Casablanca background

Sister and brother, Carly and Jamie Cohen of Toronto

Floor at the AMC Theater

Robinne Lee and Nenad Bach

Robinne was a leading role in "This is not a test". Great cast and fulfilling role.

Jamie Cohen and Nenad Bach in front of the Godfather. Jamie a great friend and artist.

Tom Arnold and Nenad Bach

Friendly and unpretentious Tom. A great American comedian with a perfect timing for comedy. Watch his movies and you will know what am I saying. True Lies, is one example. He was equally attentive to everybody at the festival with grace.

Nenad N. Bach
Boston-New York, June 7th, 2008

National Music Council Panel and 27th Annual American Eagle Awards Luncheon June 5th 2008

David Amram, Nenad N. Bach, Evans J.R. Revere, Muhamed Mo Sacirbey and Charles Sanders

Panel on MUSIC AND MUSICIANS AS INTERNATIONAL CULTURAL AMBASSADORS, which took place on the morning of Thursday, June 5, 2008 at the National Music Council Annual Meeting Forum (11:15 AM at 240 West 47th St. New York City). The event was taped for possible broadcast on New Jersey public television and elsewhere.

The panel, at least from my own perspective was very articulate, funny and informative... one of the best I have been on. Great introduction by David Sanders, president of NMC and moderating by Charles Sanders, music attorney and a brilliant man on many levels. David Amram? I could listen to this man for hours. Living legend of American Music. Evans J.R. Revere, president of The Korea Society, a moving story about the concert in North Korea. Mo Sacirbey, a long time friend and diplomat, with music and business background, brought U2 to Sarajevo. Tape of the panel will be available for the broadcast. Update will have the link.

David Amram, Nenad Bach, Evans Revere and Muhamed Sacirbey

Nenad Bach, Charles Sanders, Ervin Drake, David Amram and Muhamed Sacirbey

Panel in the company of legendary composer Ervin Drake. Nice jacket Ervin.

Jon Cobert, Tom Chapin, Michael Mark and David Amram

Michael Mark, Nenad Bach and Jon Cobert

Jon Cobert played piano on "Stand By Me" with John Lennon. Michael Mark made up lyrics today while playing. A very witty and talented musician.

Nenad Bach and Tom Chapin

A cordial moment with a 2008 American Eagle Award Honoree Tom Chapin. A tall man.

Nenad Bach and Lorin Maazel

A brief moment with introspective maestro Maazel, 2008 American Eagle Award Honoree

Founded in 1940 and chartered by the 84th Congress in 1956, the National Music Council represents the United States to the International Music Council/UNESCO. The Council acts as a clearing house for the joint opinion and decision of its members and is dedicated to strengthening the importance of music in our life and culture.

Through the cooperative work of its member organizations, the National Music Council promotes and supports music and music education as an integral part of the curricula in the schools of our nation, and in the lives of its citizens.

The Council provides for the exchange of information and coordination of efforts between its member organizations and speaks with one voice for the music community whenever an authoritative expression of opinion is desirable.

Support National Music Council www.musiccouncil.org

I am thankful for the opportunity to be part of the event and an American systematic support of art.

Nenad N. Bach

New York, June 6th, 2008

MySpace page hit 10,000 visits

Thanks to Ivo Bach, who created this page and Violi Calvert who is maintaining it.

http://www.myspace.com/nenadbach

Kolinda Grabar Kitarovic, our new ambassador visits New York

Nenad N. Bach and Kolinda Grabar Kitarovic, Croatian Ambassador in the USA

This is probably that millisecond that I didn't smile on the outside.

On June 2nd, 2008, Petar Ljubicic, a Croatian counsel general in New York, organized an evening with our new Croatian ambassador in Washington DC, Kolinda Grabar Kitarovic. First impression is very good. We do not know what is really going on in politics behind the closed door and why is a diplomat good or bad, but public appearance is very important as well. Kolinda speaks in a very coherent way with natural elegance. She impressed all of us who were present. We wish her and us all the best.

For Love of Homeland - Croatian Musician Nenad Bach premieres on Supreme Master TV

Simultaneous subtitles in 15 Languages