By Gezim Kasapolli
Hello and Welcome. You are listening to UNMIK
On-Air.
An association of young Kosovar musicians called
“New Spirit” organized a series of flute concerts in mid-September, the second
such concert series since the association was established in 1999. UNMIK on air
attended the concert, whose participants ranged from well-known international
musicians to local newcomers keen to prove themselves in this area of music.
Concert Sound of the first flute ensemble (Erëmira)
Renowned flutists Andre Jolivet once said “After
the human voice, flute is the most natural and probably the oldest instrument, and
the best means of expressing those feelings that link us not only with
contemporaries, with everyone who lived on earth, but also with forces which
make up the universe.”
During the opening night, Jolivet’s words featured
prominently in the minds of an audience that very rarely has the opportunity to
hear the music of such classical composers as Claude Debussy, Franz Doppler and Francis Poulenc.
However the importance of such events is not lost
on Erëmira Çitaku. Çitaku is the founder of the “New Spirit” association and
one of the organizers and featured performers during the weekend-long series.
She asserts the importance of these events goes way beyond the beautiful sound
of the flute.
Citaku - "These events are important
because in this way students have the opportunity to meet great artists and
there is always a possibility for scholarships since they have to do this
themselves. We still do not have the infrastructure that would push people
forward and I would like to appeal to the students to start searching because
this is the best way to function for the time being."
What made this event even more appealing were the
performances of a number of well-known artists such as Pierre-Yves Artaud,
Professor of flute at the Paris Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique and
winner of many international awards. He also reiterates the importance of such
events in Kosovo especially considering the speed of changes in the world of
music.
Artaud: “I think that there is a very big
importance because now I think art in general and music in particular needs
meetings of artists, people from every where to exchange, to show what is new,
what is changing in the flute playing, music in general. So it is extremely
important and maybe especially here for the young flutist because I think now
the country is very open artists can com from everywhere without a problem and
in Kosovo I think there is a very big demand for the artist and also very high
motivation.”
High motivation is still tempered by the
difficulties of organizing such events, especially in a place such as Kosovo
where classical music is not given as much cultural currency as other folkloric
traditions. According to New Spirit organizers, the lack of institutional
support in Kosovo does not give musicians the luxury of thinking only about
their performance.
Venera Mehmetagaj-Kajtazi was also one of the
performers and organizers of the event. She says they have to arrange the
entire weekend with limited resources.
Mehmetagaj-Kajtazi - “Organizing such concerts
and festivals is very hard since we have to organize them and to perform in
them and we do not have a manager who would take care of the financial matters,
organizing and other managerial things. We have to run around, we have to
organize and find the means, which is very difficult but our great will and
enthusiasm makes this possible.”
The participation of local musicians was also very important
- if for nothing else than to give other Kosovars an idea of what is possible.
Young flutists and concert organizers, Çitaku and Mehmetagaj-Kajtazi - whose
combined age is 45, performed rather experimental pieces that gave the concert
a "new spirit” enthusiastically welcomed by audience members.
Although he praises the performance of the local
musicians, Pierre-Yves Arnaud says that there is a long way to go for Kosovars
on their road to musical success.
Arnaud - "They need a lot of general technique,
the missing of technique and maybe also of repertoire. I see so much motivation
with young players they want to prove so much that they are here and that they
are as good as the others and that is the most important thing."
Even though the Hall of the National Library was
full of people on opening night, New Spirit founder, Erëmira Çitaku says
Kosovars are still no closer to understanding the event’s real importance. But
- she says - it is up to Kosovo’s artist community to provide this understanding
in the future.
Çitaku - "We artists have to make it
tempting for the public to come and see us, that is our duty, since the public
is usually uninformed, and there is always someone who leads them and it is
important for us to lead them the right way."
With or without institutional support Kosovar
artists and musicians are doing their utmost to keep track with musical
developments in the world.
And that concludes today’s edition of UNMIK on air.
Thanks for listening and stay tuned for more cultural news in and around
Kosovo.