Cooking Up Inspiration with Vito Žuraj

In this episode of The Treasure Hunt, Bas visits composer Vito Žuraj at his home in Slovenia. Together, they reflect on their ongoing collaborations and dive into Žuraj’s creative process - from experimental works involving chefs and theatrical soprano pieces to his upcoming violin concerto for Isabelle Faust.

Žuraj shares how ideas emerge through a balance of playful exploration and focused execution, inspired by John Cleese’s concept of “open” and “closed” modes of creativity. The conversation reveals how collaboration, experimentation, and personal experiences shape his music - ultimately leading to a deeply personal new concerto that explores themes of emotional release and authenticity.

Links to recordings 

Vito Žuraj - Ubuquité 

Hélène Fauchère, Ensemble Intercontemporain, Matthias Pintscher  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ncugzv9xYOg

Vito Žuraj - Iasus’s Remorse for Violin Solo

Giorgos Panagiotidis 

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/TZ1w178RRxY

Vito Žuraj - Hors d’Oeuvre for cook-performer and orchestra

Daniel Gottschlich, Slovenian Philharmonic Orchestra, Simon Krecic 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffxSWu0k4Mg

Vito Žuraj - Api-danza Macabra 

WDR Symphony Orchestra, Cristian Măcelaru

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-phDfI7i_A

And the link to John Cleese’s lecture about creativity:  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pb5oIIPO62g