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By:
Besarte Elshani
- November 4, 2024 10:30
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From a festival dedicated to opera that culminates with world stars, the "Ramë Lahaj" foundation has this time brought tango, flamenco and French songs. It is a completely different musical tradition and style. The duo with the French singer Pierre Sabaté and the Moroccan guitarist M'hamed El Menjra have been the protagonists of another organization with which the foundation named after the famous tenor from Kosovo aims to target not only the public that admires opera, but also other genres. . The organizers have promised that the "Pasión y Tango" concert is only the beginning of this journey.
In a cute cafe in Prishtina full of signs of Albanian culture, the passion between the rhythms and verses of genres that, however popular in the world and popular in the country, need special occasions to be heard. Just like the organization of the performance of the duo Sabaté and El Menjra.
The space has been adapted for what does not look like a concert, but more like a party that is organized in the evenings in the "pubs" of the capital. Between the songs, the sound of money being exchanged and drinks being prepared could be heard.
But of course the music that unfolds is completely different. The chairs are lined up on two sides of the space creating a kind of corridor for the duo's performance. The guitarist and the singer were facing each other in this space. The soft lighting made their performance more intimate. But a large number of people remained standing because of the limited seats which were all reserved.
Present were the Minister of Culture, Hajrulla Çeku, the Minister of Economy, Rozeta Hajdari, the mayor of Pristina, Përparim Rama, and the tenor Ramë Lahaj.
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The exploration of the program was started by the Moroccan guitarist M'hamed El Menjra with an instrumental with which he informs the public about the upcoming songs. They were flamenco rhythms with light guitar sounds, very romantic.
The duo performed the songs "La cumparsita" by Carlos Gardel, "Sabor a mi" by Alvaro Carillo, "Lagrimas negras" by Bebo Valdes and Compy Segundo, " Como fue" by Benny More and "Veinte Años" by José Alfredo Jiménez.
"Quizás, Quizás, Quizás" by the Cuban Osvaldo Farrés, apart from being a very beautiful song, was the space to discover a talent of the singer Pierre Sabaté. It has made the audience look around the space to see who is playing the trumpet. But he was imitating the instrument. The sound is identical to the instrument, he has improvised with it, practically including another instrument in the instrumental of the songs to which he has given voice.
They have fused flamenco with rumba, salsa and pop with the songs of the well-known band "Gipsy Kings". They brought the songs "Un amor" and "Hablame". Then he also sang "Dos Gardenias" by "Buena Vista Social Club" and "La puerta" by Luis Miguel and "La rua madureira" by Nino Ferrer.
He brought the spirit of tango with "Por una cabezza", "Historia de un amor" by Luz Casal, "Aunque Tu" by Diego El Cigala", "Chan chan" by Compay Segundo and "Volver" by Estrella Morente.
The iconic French song "La Boheme" by Charles Aznavour has been arranged in the spirit of tango. And then from this chapter he also sang "Jardin d'Hiver". The duo closed the program with "Rosa Maria" by Camaron de la Isla, but the audience asked the duo for another song. song.
This is how he performed another iconic song, but this time "Volare" by the Italian Domenico Modugno, the song in the Spanish version with which he made the audience sing in unison.
Singer Andrra Rexhepi brought two more modern songs in Spanish. Together with Pierre Sabaté, they sang "Besame Mucho" by Consuelo Velazquez.
Sabaté said that with the program they presented on Saturday night, they brought a mixture of musical cultures.
"It was a mixed program between my half French half Spanish culture, we sing what we like, so there was a bit of tango, a bit of flamenco, a bit of French songs. I think it was good, at least for me. I liked the people here, it was the first time in Pristina", he said.
His voice has been colorful. He has adapted to each nature with songs mixing modern rhythms.
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"I can sing in different forms. Sometimes it's complicated because you have to find your own style, because at the same time I do raggea, flamengo, French songs, but I like it," said the French singer Pierre Sabaté.
He is known for his unique style and exceptional performances in the special interpretation of tango music, he comes to Pristina to bring a magical evening, filled with passion and emotion. Sabaté has a long career and is known for his passionate performances and deep emotional connection to music.
The musical line of the "Pasión y Tango" concert was the guitarist M'hamed El Menjra.
Guitarist El Menjra expressed his happiness that he presented his game to the public in Pristina. He said that the instrument he owns is essential in the interpretation of the genres that have been presented.
"We played the tango repertoire along with classical Cuban flamengo as well as Brazilian music. Most of these works require a guitar, so this is the instrument I played tonight. Pierre and I have been playing together for a long time and we really fit well musically and I think people liked it. I am very happy that I was here tonight to perform for you", he said.
Born and raised in Morocco, he has a deep sensibility for traditional Moroccan and Mediterranean music. His career is filled with collaborations with renowned international artists, including projects that focus on the intermingling of cultures and a wide range of musical styles, including jazz, tango and classical music.
Previously, the "Ramë Lahaj" foundation organized the children's program "Opera on wheels" from September 15 to 20, presenting the opera to children. While the "Ramë Lahaj International Opera Festival" held its fourth edition from July 21 to August 2.
The media coordinator, Besmir Vokopola, has said that the foundation is aiming to expand the recognition of different musical genres to the public.
"For the 'Ramë Lahaj' foundation, it is important that in addition to the development and recognition of culture and the opera genre and classical music, we are trying to bring all audiences closer together. We started with the children by introducing them to classical music, while today we were in a more familiar, friendly environment, closer to young people, aiming to create a language of communication with other musical genres as well. This was a language dedicated to tango, flamenco, French romantic music. Being late autumn and early winter, these are sounds that warm our heart and soul", he said.
He said that other activities will come very soon.
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"They didn't hesitate and came immediately and I believe they brought the most beautiful fragrances of the songs, from Argentina we went to Spain, from there to France and to Italy. For us it is important to continue with activities, and in fact this is only the beginning and very soon we will have some activities that will always focus on a specific target group to culminate later with the festival that has become a tradition" , said Vokopola.
The deep sounds that highlight the beauty of each note and the warm and passionate vocals were the perfect duo in the "Pasión y Tango" concert.
