Dubravka Tomšič Srebotnjak received the accolade for her lifetime contribution to music. “A pianist of heavenly vision and heroic prowess. Those are merely two among many expressions music aficionados use to describe Dubravka Tomšič Srebotnjak’s sophisticated power of expression,” the President said.

Tomšič Srebotnjak discovered her talent at the tender age of 5. She graduated from New York’s prestigious Julliard School at the age of 17, and made her debut at Carnegie Hall with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra. She also honed her skills with the famed pianist Arthur Rubinstein, who was so impressed by her performance that he invited her to study with him.

Tomšič Srebotnjak has collaborated with many of the world’s greatest musicians and performed at some of the world’s most prestigious venues. She has released more than 90 albums throughout her career and has won numerous awards for her achievements, including the Prešeren Award in 1975. She is also very proud of the gold medal she won at Mozart’s Festival Recital in Brussels in 1967. She has given more than 4000 concerts during her career and has received as many standing ovations. Moreover, she has been on a mission to promote Slovenian music by regularly performing works of Slovenian composers, the President said. “Her recordings of more than 100 major works for piano that she recorded for Slovenia’s public radio service are an invaluable contribution to Slovenian culture”.