Petrić, born in Ljubljana in 1931, was a member of Pro Musica Viva, a group of composers which in the 1960s brought modernism to Slovenian classical music.
He created a rich and diverse body of work ranging from orchestra and chamber music to music for soloists, which is now part of Slovenia's classical music heritage.
He received a number of awards at home and abroad, including the prestigious Prešeren Prize for lifetime achievements in 2016.
Petrič was also a professor at the Music Academy in Ljubljana, from which he graduated in 1958 as conductor and composer, yet started his career as oboe player.
In 1962 he formed the Slavko Osterc Ensemble, which in 20 years under his guide turned into a leading ensemble for contemporary chamber music in Yugoslavia.
With the ensemble, which played more than 130 new pieces of music written by Slovenian but also other composers, he toured Europe and others parts of the world.
He was also artistic director of the Slovenian Philharmonic from 1979 to 1995, and editor of publications of the Slovenian Composers' Association, turning it into a contemporary music publisher (1970-2002).
