For the first time in the Cathedral of St. Anastasia in Zadar, the organ was united with the sound of the saxophone in a unique and fitting concert held in honor of St. Anastasia, the heavenly patroness of the Archdiocese of Zadar and the cathedral’s titular saint. Performing in her honor were two outstanding Croatian artists of international renown – the acclaimed organist Pavao Mašić and saxophonist Tomislav Žužak.

The concert took place on January 14, 2026, on the eve of the Feast of St. Anastasia, beginning at 6:00 PM, immediately following the solemn Vespers presided over by the Archbishop of Zadar, Msgr. Milan Zgrablić.

St. Anastasia – a Roman Christian and patroness of Zadar

St. Anastasia, patroness of the Archdiocese of Zadar and titular saint of the cathedral, whose relics were brought to Zadar in the 9th century by Bishop Donatus, is one of the most venerated early Christian martyrs. Roman by origin and Christian by deep conviction, Anastasia was raised in the faith of her time. Her spiritual formation was shaped by her mother, St. Fausta, and the Roman knight St. Chrysogonus, and her life journey ended in martyrdom – she was burned alive on Christmas Day in the year 304 in Sirmium. Bearing in her very name the essence of the Christian message (Anastasis – Resurrection), she became a powerful witness to the connection between the Incarnation and the Resurrection.

Anastasia is one of seven women, besides the Blessed Virgin Mary, whose names are included in the Roman Canon and the Litany of the Saints. Although she is commemorated on Christmas Day in the Roman rite, the people of Zadar have for centuries celebrated her feast on January 15, expressing their devotion also through the old tradition of keeping Christmas trees in their homes until her feast day. The Cathedral of Zadar is dedicated to her, and in her honor the international organ festival “The Organs of St. Anastasia” was founded, promoting the spiritual and musical heritage of Zadar.

An evening of prayer and music

The solemn prayer evening on the eve of the feast concluded in a special way – with a concert that united heaven and earth, tradition and modernity, organ and saxophone. The sounds of the saxophone and organ flowed through the cathedral, creating a perfect fusion of the two instruments. The performances were rewarded with warm and prolonged applause from the audience, followed by informal gathering and photo opportunities with the performers.

In the Cathedral of St. Anastasia on January 14, 2026, Pavao Mašić and Tomislav Žužak performed the following program:

Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach (1714 – 1788)

Sonata in G minor

Allegro

Adagio

Allegro

Ante Knešaurek (1978.)

Berceuse

Jean Francaix (1912-1997) 

Suite Carmelite                                                         

I. Soeur Blanche

II. Mère Marie de l'Incarnation

III. Soeur Anne de la Croix

IV. Soeur Constance

V. Soeur Mathilde

VI. Mère Marie de Saint-Augustin

Olivier Messiaen (1908 – 1992)

From Quartet for the End of Time

V. Louange a l'Éternité de Jésus

César Franck (1822. – 1890.)

Sonata in A major, FWV 8

Allegretto ben moderato

Allegro

Recitativo-fantasia: Ben moderato

Allegretto poco mosso

TOMISLAV ŽUŽAK, SAXOPHONE

Tomislav Žužak is a highly acclaimed Croatian saxophonist, whose distinguished solo career is complemented by numerous performances as a member of the renowned Croatian Papandopulo Saxophone Quartet. He studied in Zagreb and Paris and further refined his skills worldwide under leading saxophonists of our time. Today, he mentors new generations of saxophonists through international workshops in Grožnjan and Jastrebarsko, as well as through his own saxophone class at the Zagreb Music Academy, where he holds the position of Associate Professor.

His discography includes numerous recordings, both in duo with pianist Vlasta Gyuro and with the Papandopulo Quartet, released by Croatian labels Croatia Records and Cantus. In addition to receiving numerous domestic and international awards for his work—including the First Prize at the 1st Croatian Young Musicians Competition Papandopulo—Žužak is known for ambitious and innovative projects, often presenting works in Croatia for the first time.

Notable highlights include a complete performance of 25 Caprices by Sigfrid Karg-Elert on four different saxophones in a single concert evening; performances of major Romantic works by Rachmaninoff and Schumann in duo with pianist Tomislav Damjanović; contemporary and unique collaborations combining saxophone and harp with harpist Veronika Ćiković; and inspired interpretations of works by French and Croatian composers performed alongside organist Pavao Mašić, presented throughout Croatia.

PAVAO MAŠIĆ, ORGAN

Pavao Mašić, recipient of the Grand Prix Bach and the Audience Prize at the Bach Organ Competition in Lausanne, has developed a highly successful career as a concert organist and harpsichordist. As the principal organist of St. Mark’s Church in the Upper Town of Zagreb, he continues the rich tradition of organ playing that has been maintained in this historic church since 1359.

In parallel, he serves as a full professor at the Zagreb Music Academy, where he engages in extensive pedagogical work. He performs across Europe, Russia, and Israel, and his artistic achievements have been recognized with more than 25 major domestic and international awards. He is a laureate of international organ competitions in Lausanne, Zaragoza, and Pula, and is the only Croatian organist to have participated in the renowned St. Albans International Organ Competition (UK) in its more than 60-year history. His repertoire includes many significant performances: the Six Partitas, Goldberg Variations, and The Art of Fugue by J. S. Bach; the cycles Ascension and The Birth of the Lord by Olivier Messiaen; complete organ works by J. S. Bach, César Franck, and Dieterich Buxtehude (in collaboration with Ante Knešaurek); organ concertos by Francis Poulenc, Ante Knešaurek, Stjepan Šulek, and Silvio Foretić; as well as intensive work on preparing and publishing the complete organ works of Anđelko Klobučar and Franjo Dugan, principal organists of Zagreb Cathedral in the 20th century.

Mašić records for Croatian Radiotelevision and Croatia Records. His diverse discography includes six solo albums honored with a total of 12 Porin Awards, including two albums—1685: Bach, Handel, Scarlatti (2011) and Bach: The Art of Fugue (2017)—which were named the best classical albums of the year.