On Independence Day, the Philharmonic tells the story of the eras leading up to the holiday with sound.

"Si n'vedin tim kund nuk ka" echoed at the end of the Kosovo Philharmonic's concert on Monday night on the 17th anniversary of Kosovo's Independence as glittering letters in the colors of the flag exploded in the air. This was the culminating message, which was preceded by a journey of premieres by local composers, who through sounds emphasize the history of the country. Under the direction of Baki Jashari, Shkëlzen Baftiari's masterful playing on the piano, and the stunning interpretation of mezzo-soprano Flaka Goranci, from the premieres of Mark Kaçinari, to those of Blond Krasniqi, Liburn Jupolli and Korab Shaqiri, chapters of eras and events that are narrated through sounds have been opened.

With works that return to the landscapes of war, to the tragedies of Albanian families, as well as bringing the classical musical tradition of the country, the Kosovo Philharmonic has celebrated the 17th anniversary of Independence. The traditional concert that comes every year on the country's historical date, has brought to the "Red Hall" of the Palace of Youth and Sports, a meaningful repertoire full of messages. The last, accompanied by about 120 performers on stage, was the one about love for the country.

With new works, but with old conditions, the Kosovo Philharmonic Orchestra demonstrated the greatness of the institution on this historic date. In addition to the professionalism of the musicians that is evident in each concert of the institution, this time the potential of the country's young composers was also demonstrated. Three works were premiered, including that of Mark Kaçinari.

The concert was more solemn than usual. At the very beginning, the anthem of Kosovo, a work by composer Mendi Mengjiqi, was performed. Led by conductor Baki Jashari, the artistic part began with “Illyrian Suite” by Mark Kaçinari. The work was premiered on the occasion of the 90th anniversary of the late composer's birth.

Conductor and composer Baki Jashari, who was at the helm of this concert, said that this work was one of the four premieres that are the uniqueness of the concert. 
"Year after year, the physiognomy of the program has undergone changes, but this time the uniqueness of the program has been the premiere works of Kosovar composers, starting with the late Mark Kaçinari with 'Illyrian Suite' which was premiered, orchestrated by composer Krist Lekaj."

Each work has brought a unique spirit. The next chapter was the work “Fantazi për piano dhe orchestra” by Blond Krasniqi where the soloist was pianist Shkëlzen Baftiari. His short solo game is the intro of the work. It is a frantic introduction that fades out and is repeated continuously. In this modern work, the placement of the piano sounds sounds in the spirit of jazz and communicates beautifully with the harp.

The author of this work, Blond Krasniqi, has announced that there is a leitmotif at the beginning that develops throughout the work.

"I wrote the work during 2017-2018, two years of intensive, very arduous work. In terms of form, it is a 'Fantasy for piano and orchestra', so the pianist has the main role."

Krasniqi said that the work was wonderfully executed.

"I was also at the rehearsals, I really liked it. First of all, I congratulate the pianist Shkëlzen Baftiari, the conductor Baki Jashari and the entire Philharmonic. I did not expect such a good performance."

In the interpretation of this work, Shkëlzen Baftiari performed as a soloist with the Orchestra after eight years. In 2017, he was the soloist at the closing of the “Chopin Piano Fest” festival, which now traditionally performs its last concert in collaboration with the Kosovo Philharmonic.

According to the pianist from North Macedonia, the author of the work has shown musical maturity in it.

"When Blondi wrote this piece, he was a student, but he shows great maturity in the work, he shows great musicality. The work for piano is challenging, but he himself has also played the piano and it is suitable for the hand, although very difficult. For a pianist, it is easy to learn and a pleasure to play. Also, the orchestral part is written in a beautiful, perfect way."

The symphonic poem "Mizer - Reçak" by Liburn Jupolli was also premiered. The first theme of the work, titled "The Siege in the Morning", brings a situation full of tension in which the names of victims are mentioned, which with their voices and sounds bring images of successive falls. The attacks are also unstoppable, illustrated by the powerful sounds of the drums in the musical piece that the composer Jupolli has named "Grenade and Raids". 
In “The Execution of Banush”, with the symphony of sounds come the images of the macabre act. After a shocking noise, comes silence. And then the sounds speak of the pain that is aggravated each time. It seems like a kind of heroism for the fallen when the Choir repeats the names of the victims of the Racak Massacre. The intonation of the voice seems like the symbolism of folklore in the case of the war in Kosovo, but in Jupolli's work they are inverted at the end and are the maximum contrast with the pain. “The destruction of the village and the house of Sadik Osmani”, “The tragic column” and “The Massacre at the pit of Bebus” were the names of the last parts of the work “Mizer - Racak”.

It was extremely emotional. Conductor Jashari said that with this work, in a festive concert, the victims of the war were commemorated.

"The powerful work was 'Mizer - Reçak' by Liburn Jupolli, where of course it has not been common for concerts where we celebrate with festive music to have a dramatic work that describes the horror of the Reçak Massacre, where the Philharmonic Choir has the role in pronouncing all the names of those who fell there, and this of course makes it very touching. It means that even though we celebrate Independence and feel joy and pride, of course we can never forget the victims throughout our history. Therefore, this work also found its place here and changed the physiognomy of the program."

"Dies Irae" from Giuseppe Verdi's "Messa da Requiem" was also a kind of homage to the victims. An extremely powerful choral piece, a hymn of the sacred repertoire and one of the most famous melodies of this type of singing.

Another image of the creation of classical music by local composers was the cantata "I miri i motrës" by Korab Shaqiri, which was another premiere of this concert. In the work for soloist, choir and orchestra, the mezzo-soprano 
Flaka Goranci has given special emotion to her story. With lyrics by Ilir Shaqiri, the work deals with the tragedy at an Albanian wedding.

Conductor and composer Baki Jashari considers the theme of the work as part of Albanian history.

"A very interesting cantata, which stems from the tradition of Albanian music from the characteristics that distinguish our people from other peoples. Soloist Flaka Goranci brilliantly played the role of the sister who naturally mourns her brother because of the tragedy that occurs precisely on the wedding day. This historical theme is also part of the baggage of our developments, traditions."

“Vendi im” by Valton Beqiri, composed on the theme of the song “Mallëngjimi” by Rashid Krasniqi, concluded the concert. The explosion of glittering letters in the colors of the Kosovo flag was the final sign of the concert. Neither was it more magnificent than the sound and the last verse that was performed, nor can it be overshadowed by the poor conditions in which the Kosovo Philharmonic has been operating for 17 years, which always marks each holiday or historical date.