"Siparantum" in Berlin among 9 European choirs promotes local works

The choir formation from Peja on Monday night has returned from Berlin. This time there, in addition to the workshops, discussions and performances, they have also returned to the prestigious environment of the Berlin Philharmonic. There they have revealed a part of Albanian creativity in terms of choral music. At the same time, they have proven their professionalism as a choir that comes from a small town on the European continent

The participation of the "Siparantum" choir in international organizations and collaborations with prestigious institutions have started to become something common. The choir formation from Peja on Monday night has returned from Berlin. This time there, in addition to workshops, discussions and performances, they have also returned to the prestigious environment of the Berlin Philharmonic. They have revealed a part of Albanian creativity in terms of choral music. At the same time, they have proven their professionalism as a choir that comes from a small town on the European continent.

The "Walking in beauty" project has gathered several famous choirs in Berlin. The festival, which is organized by the "Choral Space" platform, has gathered 9 choirs from different countries, where from April 12 to 16, beyond interpretations, experiences were also exchanged.

"Siparantum", led by conductor and composer Memli Kelmendi, has participated in three concerts. On the 12th day of this month, "Siparantum" was presented as part of other choirs. The work "Pax" by Memli Kelmendi, who directed the performance, and "Fire" by Katerina Gimon were given in the premises of the "Kulturforum" center.

And on the 13th, the formation that this time was there with 20 people, apart from "Pax" also performed "Mirëbrëma" by Lorenc Antoni, "Xhike Loke" by Rafet Rudi and "Fire" by Katerina Gimon. The founder and conductor of "Siparantum", Memli Kelmendi, said that in this concert they presented Albanian music as part of the program together with a choir from Lithuania and another from Germany. It is about "Mixed Choir Sonoros" and "Hugo-Distler-Chor Berlin".

"Within this project, 'Siparantum' worked directly with Ēriks Ešenvalds and we had the opportunity to work closely with him and hold workshops. We are very happy with what we got from him", said Kelmendi. The Latvian Ešenvalds is one of the most famous conductors and composers, especially when it comes to working with choirs. He has been in residence within the Festival so that his experience can serve the participating choirs. Kelmendi has shown that during the workshops they worked with Ešenvald's works such as "My song", "Only in sleep", "Rivers of light" and several others.

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Ēriks Ešenvalds said after the workshops and concerts that "Siparantum" performs with great passion.

"When I listen to you as a choir and look at your conductor, I can say that technically it is a question of almost 100-percent satisfaction in terms of the communication you have", he told the choir members. He said that he noticed that the performers have well studied the material they work with. "The emotional side occupies a very good place in the interpretations. Stay as you are. For every work, keep the attitude you have", Ēriks Ešenvalds addressed them.

said to have noticed that during the exercises the conductor Kelmendi gives the necessary clarifications and the Choir receives them without the need for ambiguity during the concert. "It is very nice to see that before the concert the conductor already tells you how it will be done and there is no need to repeat things too much", said Ešenvalds.

On Sunday, the choirs came together in the Berlin Philharmonic hall and before the big concert they worked with Ēriks Ešenvalds, having the opportunity to have solo performances on stage.

"Then to continue with the works of our choir 'The Rose' by Ola Gjeilo and 'Fire' by Katerina Gimon", said Memli Kelmendi. "Fire" was directed by Kelmendi himself.

Then 350 singers from 9 choirs came together on stage and under the direction of Ešenvalds they performed his works such as "Rivers of Light", "She Walks in Beauty", "My Song", "Salutation", "O Salutaris Hostia", "The Heavens Flock" and "Only in Sleep".

Conductor Memli Kelmendi has said that "Siparantum" has been highly appreciated by critics. He showed that he was worried that due to the budget, they did not have the opportunity to appear with the whole formation. This time the choir has been supported by the Ministry of Culture, the Municipality of Peja and the company "Alba Keramika".

"We need to face such scenes, as they enable us to promote our culture and country, but also help us see where we are. It's an experience where choristers get new experiences and meet choirs of different levels, giving us the opportunity to orientate ourselves professionally," said Memli Kelmendi. According to him, considering the circumstances and the isolation experienced by the Kosovar society, artists especially need to exchange experiences.

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"Our soloists Kaltrina Miftari, Fiona Shabani, Agron Shujaku, Shaban Behramaj and others are given the opportunity to prove their quality in the international arena", he said.

"Siparantum" has returned to the Berlin Philharmonic hall after a year. In the pentagonal-shaped hall that hosts the choral orchestra called "Siparantum" in March of last year, it focused on works by local composers. "Siparantum", being the first Albanian choir that has managed to perform on this stage, did not want to miss the chance to present the musical works of Kosovar composers. This was the purpose of the concert, which has been evaluated as an insight into the music of Germany, Hungary and Kosovo. The program, which included three Kosovar works, was evaluated as a program full of colors and contrasts.