For approximately half an hour, which is the expected duration of the concert, the Kosovo Philharmonic Opera will perform works by Rexho Mulliq, Fahri Beqiri, Giuseppe Verdi, as well as the European anthem "Ode to Joy" by Ludwig van Beethoven.
Albulena Sylaj
Pristina February 16, 2008 – A day after arriving in Pristina, violist Alkena Shuteriqi cannot contain her emotions for the concerts of the Kosovo Philharmonic and Opera that will be given on Independence Day. Shuteriqi has been part of the orchestra in concerts in Pristina twice before, but for her, the performance of this concert is much more special.
"It's very special, the very fact that we came here for, it's a miracle to come and play with these people. Of course I'm emotional, because the concert that is being held has a very, very special importance, and we live with this kind of emotion like these people," she says. Along with Shuteriq, the Kosovo orchestra is also made up of 29 other instrumentalists from the Tirana Opera and Ballet Theater, who have joined the 27 Kosovar instrumentalists to perform the most important concert of their lives.
Just one day before Sunday, the Philharmonic's rehearsals have intensified and they are ready for the stage.
"Anytime tomorrow, starting from the morning until the afternoon, we will be ready," says the director of the Philharmonic, Baki Jashari. Unless there is an extension for technical reasons, the entire concert is expected to last no more than half an hour.
"The program is short, less than 30 minutes. It may last for technical reasons or something else. This was a request from the Government, because it is part of the central manifestations," added Jashari. In this concert, Rexho Mulliq's work, "Symphony Number 1", which was considered lost, will be performed for the first time.
"Coincidentally, this work is also on the program, since it is a premiere, it was considered lost, even today we do not know when it was created. Our conductor, Bahri Çela, found this work in a trash can in 1999, while last year Çela donated a bunch of notes from his library to the Philharmonic", Jashari announced. Despite their readiness, the national anthem will not be performed. "We were ready to perform the national anthem, but now it is a political issue. Anthems are performed when there are state solemnities. Just as it will have its symbols, Kosovo should have an anthem, but I do not know that such an anthem has been made yet", Jashari concluded. The Philharmonic - Kosovo Opera concert will be held at the "1 Tetori" hall in Pristina and is scheduled to be given tonight (Sunday) at 19:00 PM.
