Mihael Paar - The Clarinetist

Clarinetist Mihael Paar (Zagreb, 1980) is recognised as one of the most versatile Croatian musicians of his generation -- soloist, composer, arranger, producer and a teacher. He studied at the Music Academy Zagreb and Mozarteum Salzburg earning his MA cum laude in 2006.

Paar made his debut as a fifteen-year-old performing Weber’s Concertino with Windstrings Orchestra and has since performed at important Croatian and international concert halls and festivals, collaborating as a soloist with orchestras and ensembles: Franjo Krežma Chamber Orchestra, HRT Tamburitza Orchestra, Zagreb Quartet, Porin Quartet, Acies Quartett and others. He has made notable appearances at international competitions winning prizes in Ohrid, Barletta and Padua. He is a laureate of the Solti Foundation, recipient of the City of Samobor Award, “Milka Trnina” Diploma and the Award of the Croatian Composers’ Society. His debut album Premiere, Nova Hrvatska Glazba Za Klarinet has been critically acclaimed and won Croatian Discography Award Porin in 2018 for Best Classical Composition, also earning nomination for Best Classical Music Performance. His Christmas single Jingle Bells (Little Christmas Fantasy) from 2012 remains his most popular release. Mihael's catalogue expands through VasakQ Records, Cantus and Croatia Records, while his music is being published by Universal Edition Vienna.

Mihael Paar is the artistic director of Camerata Cantilly, the only ensemble of its kind in Croatia.