ABOUT

My Story

Imagine growing up with the delicate aroma of freshly carved wood and varnish wafting through the air. For most, this might seem out of the ordinary, but for my young self, it was the scent of my childhood, the scent of a future cast through the tender craftsmanship of my father, a Master violin maker Robert Siljak Toffetti. He made my first violin, as well as every subsequent one I would come to play. Every curve of wood, every string’s vibration was an invite to a unique and captivating world, a truly special privilege. This fire of passion, already kindled by my father’s craft, was ignited after seeing the VHS tape documentary of the Russian violin legend David Oistrakh. The hauntingly beautiful first movement of Beethoven’s Kreutzer Sonata, as played by Oistrakh, left me with an indelible mark. Even so many years later, the magic of that moment is as vivid as the day it first cast its spell.

…a child fell in love with the soul of the violin and saw the mysteries in there beyond anything he could have imagined…

I was born and raised in the vibrant city of Rijeka, and my musical journey is deeply intertwined with the rich cultural heritage of my hometown. Rijeka, historically known for its strategic port and diverse cultural influences, has long been a hub of artistic expression and creativity. One significant figure in Rijeka’s artistic legacy is violinmaker Franjo Kresnik, truly a man ahead of his time, a physician by profession, whose craftsmanship and dedication to his art have left an indelible mark on the city’s cultural landscape. Kresnik‘s meticulous workmanship and passion for violin making have garnered international acclaim, earning him a reputation as a key figure in Italian Lutherie, as noted by his presence in the 1937 Bicentenario stradivariano, the 200th anniversary of the death of Antonio Stradivari in Cremona, where he served as a leading expert and interpreter of Cremonese violin making tradition, chosen by the Italian government.

Every moment is unique and will never happen again. Music is an ever-evolving phenomenon painted through the contraction and expansion of its most beautiful and intricate details. Every note is a stroke on the vast canvas of time, each performance moment depicts a story of the past, present, or future, unleashing emotions, experiences, and memories. A freedom and excitement of the present that an artist gets the privilege to experience and create…

Invent ways of doing better. You have to invent.

~Nathan Milstein, 20th century legendary violinist

My concert and recording activities include collaborations with several Croatian musical artists, alongside a solo violin project featuring famous and rarely performed compositions, as well as rare transcriptions of music for other instruments. A deep-rooted love has always fueled my passion to innovate – seeking to expand and go beyond perceived limits, fulfilling the violin’s enormous expressive potential. I love the excitement of venturing into uncharted territories championing the works of living composers, as was seen by my contribution to the avant-garde Histriatria Project trio that created new original classical music that stretched the classical frame.

Beyond performing, I love transcribing beautiful music and composing, writing poetry, reading, and spending time in nature.

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Repertoire

VIOLIN SOLO / VIOLIN & PIANO (selection)

J. S. Bach: Ciaccona in d-minor

E. Ysaÿe: Sonata No. 3, “Ballade”

N. Paganini: I Palpiti op. 13

                   Le Streghe op. 8

                   Nel cor piu non mi sento

                   Duo Merveille (Duet for violin solo)

                   Caprices

F. Schubert/H. W. Ernst: Erlkönig

Anon./R. Ricci: Romance for guitar, ‘Spanish Ballad’

F. Tarrega/R. Ricci: Recuerdos de la Alhambra

M. Rodriguez/V. Zito: La Cumparsita, violin solo

C. Gardel: Por una Cabeza, violin solo – Arr. Hadelich/Siljak

P. de Sarasate: Zigeunerweisen

                       Playera

                       Romanza Andaluza

H. Wieniawski: Legende op. 17

                       Polonaise de Concert op. 4

F. Chopin: Nocturne in E-flat Op. 9 No. 2

                Nocturne in C-sharp, Op. Posth.

J. Brahms: Violin sonata in A-major No. 2

C. Franck: Violin sonata

L. van Beethoven: Violin sonatas No. 1, 5, 8

M. Ravel: Tzigane

CONCERTOS (selection)

N. Paganini: Concerto No. 1 in D major

P. Tchaikovsky: Concerto in D major

J. Sibelius: Concerto in D minor

F. Mendelssohn: Concerto in E minor

M. Bruch: Concerto in G minor

C. Saint-Saens: Concerto in B minor

J. Conus: Concerto in E minor

H. Wieniawski: Concerto in D minor

W. A. Mozart: Violin Concerti No. 1, 3, 4, 5

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Collaborations

Recording projects and collaborating with composers and producers is a great passion of mine. Read more below or send me a message to book and arrange a professional recording (audio/video) of your unique project.

Edi was a great collaborator and musician. He immediately understood what the project needed from him and he was really open and communicative person. He didn’t just deliver me what I expected, but even better. Besides the excellent communication, Edi has excellent technique, unique style and pristine sound, which comes from his sublime performance, the violin handmade itself and the splendid choice of microphones as well as intimate and good sounding recording space. If you’re looking for a good vintage sounding recording, Edi is the best choice. I would definately love to work with him again in the future.

Michalis K., sound engineer, Greece

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Artistic Direction

In the 2022/2023 season, I started my artistic direction of the classical concerts series cycle in Labin, Croatia, for which I hope to bring classical music to more people and elevate the cultural prosperity of the beautiful Istria and beyond, featuring prominent Croatian and international artists.

Concert with pianist and brand ambassador Matej Jovanovic, founder of PianoWorldWide and ViolinsWorldWide, large Instagram channels dedicated to the promotion of classical music.