A bust of the composer, made in 2010 by Nikolaj Mašukov, stands in front of the church in Kranjska Gora. It was erected on the 500th anniversary of the parish church.
Josip Lavtižar
Josip Lavtižar (1851–1943) was a Slovenian priest, musician, composer, travel writer and historian. He composed religious music according to the guidelines of the Caecilian Movement.
Born in Kranjska Gora, young Lavtižar’s talent captured the attention of his parish priest, who urged his parents to send him to Ljubljana to be educated. After graduating from high school, Lavtižar dedicated himself to theology and was ordained. He was appointed to his first post as chaplain in Gorje, and later in Tržič, where he met the church composer and priest Jakob Aljaž. He served in various places in Gorenjska (Upper Carniola), and in late 1885 entered the College of Catholic Church Music in Regensburg, where he studied music and composition based on Caecilian principles. He became an active member of the Caecilian Movement and worked as music teacher, choirmaster, composer and director, and wrote poetry. In 1896, he became the parish priest of Rateče, where he served until his retirement. He also took an interest in ecclesiastical history and wrote about Gorenjska. His most notable literary works include Zgodovinska knjiga župnije Rateče na Gorenjskem (Historical Book of the Rateče na Gorenjskem Parish, 1918).
He scored numerous church choral songs, published fourteen church music works and composed singspiels, including Mlada Breda (Young Breda), Adam Ravbar and the romantic singspiel Darinka. His works were published in Cerkveni glasbenik (Church Musician). Lavtižar’s most noteworthy compositions include two unison masses with organ accompaniment Statuit ei Dominus and Ecce panis Angelorum, as well as Tebe Boga hvalimo (We Praise Thee, Lord), a composition for mixed choir and organ. He also composed Litanije presvetega Srca Jezusovega, Osem božičnih pesmi za mešani zbor (Litanies of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Eight Christmas Carols for Mixed Choir) and Dvanajst Marijinih pesmi (Twelve Marian Songs) for folk singing or mixed choir.
Maia Juvanc
