Drazen Domjanic
The Vaterland newspaper says: "Innovation, Wit and Brilliance", the Volksblatt: "Super Talent from the Music Academy Liechtenstein", the Swiss Tagblatt says: "A Festival Evolves into a Living Tradition", "Ensemble Esperanza - New Sound World" says the “Sarganserland”. What do these headlines have to do with Drazen Domjanic?
Drazen Domjanic walks to the piano in the darkened room, pulls back the bench, sits down and places his notes on the stand. The same as 100 concerts before. But this time the Maestro isn’t playing in a concert hall, but in a piano bar in Liechtenstein. Drazen made the decision to pack his bags and start a new, better life. Not to flee the war and not due to the lack of success. No, his suitcase was packed with lessons learned in music conservatories in Zagreb, Belgrade, Novi Sad and Vienna and stuffed with concert experience in Italy, Croatia, Germany, Spain, and more. Did he succeed? Was Drazen able to make a better life for himself in Liechtenstein?
The Vaterland newspaper says: "Innovation, Wit and Brilliance", the Volksblatt: "Super Talent from the Music Academy Liechtenstein", the Swiss Tagblatt says: "A Festival Evolves into a Living Tradition", "Ensemble Esperanza - New Sound World" says the “Sarganserland”. What do these headlines have to do with Drazen Domjanic?
I wanted to ask him these and other questions about his life as a "Very Integrated Person". I visited his website and was amazed. He is a small business owner, consultant to young, talented musicians and their parents, organizes luxury music cruises to Croatia, and is the Music Director of Next Generation Festival and also Managing Director of The Liechtenstein Symphony Orchestra and the Music Academy of Liechtenstein.
I’m tired just reading his accomplishments and begin to doubt he has time for me. I called and he said, "I never have time, but I always make time."
Two weeks later I entered his office. He had an unexpected visitor and I was offered a coffee. He rushed in, raised his hands in the air as if to say, I had no choice and apologized. He introduced me and my project to his visitor, a politician from Vorarlberg.
My image of the serious, quiet, shy musician dissipated faster than Drazen could plop himself into the chair. He interlaced his fingers, planted them onto the table and said, “Okay, now, what do you want to know?” For Drazen the business man, I got down to the nitty gritty. I didn't want to waste any time. He made me realize how precious it is.
Why did you move to Liechtenstein?
I came as an economic immigrant. I wanted a better life.
My first “gig” was in 1988 in a piano bar in Wil, at the Hotel Landhaus. I played at piano bars in Säntispark, Quellenhof and Café Wolf.
I got my first permanent job in Feldkirch. The pay was so miserable; I thought I might as well stay at home.
In April 1989 I met some individuals that suggested I apply to the Liechtenstein School of Music. I got a job as a piano teacher.
Many VIP’s get help or support from a local. Did you have someone – a mentor?
Yes, Dr. Josef Wolf. At the time he was the Director of the Liechtenstein School Board, later the Liechtenstein Ambassador to Germany. He died a few years ago and it was his wish that I play at his funeral – an honor. We celebrated a 25 year friendship, it meant a lot to me.
I worked a few years at the Liechtenstein Music School until I realized that it was not a job for me. I did not want to retire as a teacher. We live in a time of great prosperity and it is difficult to convey anything that involves practice, such as learning to play an instrument. Some even regard it as unnecessary. That makes life as a music teacher difficult.
From Teacher to Businessman
After I left the music school, I founded my first company, Dowani 3 - Play Along CD's.
You said to Doris Reinhart in Resort Ragaz, "I had to work 16 to 18-hour work days and it wasn’t uncommon that I worked seven days a week. I learned to put theory into practice.”
I experienced everything with that company. Including bankruptcy. It took great dedication and a lot of work but in the end, everything worked out. In 2005 we were the world market leader and we sold the company.
The entire Dowani sale proceeds were packed into the non-profit foundation "Youth and Music". We founded; The International Music Academy of Liechtenstein, Festival Next Generation with the Resort Ragaz and later the Bregenzerwald Festival: Alpenarte. The Ensemble Esperanza is an entrepreneurship which recently won the International Classical Music Award. All of these projects were founded to promote young, gifted musicians.
You don’t just promote gifted youths; you also accompany them and their parents on their artistic path. Why?
I am motivated by promoting young musicians. I go with them on their difficult path, through the various phases of their artistic development.
The Academy of music is praised in the press.
300 musicians from 77 countries attended the Music Academy of Liechtenstein until now. The best young musicians in the world attend the Academy. Students under 16, travel with their parents and live in student housing for 6 days. They enjoy one intensive week of training with world class teachers.
The phone rings. He apologizes, they have a concert soon. He sold tickets for the next event on the phone and took down the necessary info.
What language is spoken in the Music Academy?
English is the official language but our common language is music.
Life as a Very Integrated Person
Let's stick with the language. Did you speak German in 1989 when you arrived?
Not a word. Only broken English. We learned Russian in school in Croatia. No English, no German - not at all - let alone dialect.
What was your biggest integration challenge?
The biggest challenge for me was to win the trust of the locals. I made a big mistake at the beginning. I expected my musical knowledge and expertise would speak for itself. I was a concert pianist who gave over 100 concerts a year. It was a culture shock in regards to the quality of the piano lessons I experienced. I was a bit arrogant. I made a mistake and paid for it.
You are allowed one mistake in a lifetime, the second time you’re just stupid!
It took me almost fifteen to twenty years to be recognized by the locals.
How did you overcome your challenges?
As a piano teacher I proved myself by educating and nurturing my students. Some continued their musical careers, some give concerts and some have won International prizes.
Over the years I've played for and with many area clubs (Vereine) and have established friendships with locals. My wife and my
employer introduced me to many local and regional politicians whom have developed into business relationships as well as friendships.
In other words, you did not just sit at home and wait for your lucky day!
No I was always in the office - working. I have been self-employed since 1993.
What cultural hiccups have you experienced on the way to integration?
At some point, my wife gave me a German course in Buchs. I went there once and when I came back I said, "Monika sweetie, their German is much worse than mine." -I never went back. I read local newspapers such as the NZZ, the Tages Anzeiger or the Austrian "News Format“in the morning. In the evening, I watched TV news and listened to what I had read. That is how I learned German. My wife corrected me as well but she also has problems with High-German.
Yes why? (She is Austrian?)
Because of the dialect - and laughs loudly.
Both children; Andrew and Sara were born here, my wife and I both worked. I wanted my children to learn Croatian so we hired a Croatian speaking babysitter. At some point the babysitter wanted to learn German. Unfortunately, my children learned her German. So my Sarah has little problems with German.
Maybe Andrew and Sara have little problems with the language, but they understand the language of music very well. Andreas is a violinist, Sara a pianist. Both play on the world stage - since childhood.
What cultural differences did you experience? Is there something that no matter how long you live here, you will never be able to understand?
The music system - the processitself and the differences in quality. In the Eastern bloc we didn't have an amateur system, only professional musicians. In Liechtenstein there are very few professionals, but incredibly well-connected amateurs. This was foreign to me. But I was able to switch systems fairly quickly. I am pleased that the quality has improved greatly in the last 25 years.
I have accompanied the operetta Balzers for 25 years, as well as many other choirs. The amateur system, (and I'm not being negative), made me realize there are people who love music more than we (pros) do.
Making appointments and punctuality is a cultural difference that I'm not good at. I am used to people simply coming by – no appointment necessary. Also, I am always late, but only with academic 15 minutes.
What do you love most about your new home?
I am amazed how well organized the country is. It is a model country; short distances and nice people.
In was born in Croatia, but Liechtenstein is my home. Nowhere in the world could I have accomplished so many of my goals in the music world as I have here - not in Vienna, not in Berlin. I will never forget that. I'm glad to leave something behind.
Drazen Domjanic accomplished his goals - the headlines confirm it and so does he. He is like a Jacuzzi, he is always on the move and he brings things in motion. Will he be happy with the status quo? I look forward to discovering what he sets in motion for the future; for the world of music, our youth and our region.