As a small update to our previous post, the concert performance in Albania with Maestro Bujar Llapaj and the Albanian Radio-Television Orchestra (RTSH) was a great success! The RTSH performed two works by Elizabeth Knudson (WCSO cellist, and Canadian Music Centre Associate Composer), along with guest horn soloist Oliver de Clercq (principal horn of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra).
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| RTSH concert programme, March 21, 2013 |
The RTSH gave the world premiere of Ms. Knudson's 'Tides', a work inspired by her travels in the Balkans with the WCSO last summer. The orchestra also performed Ms. Knudson's horn concerto, 'Mosaic' (European premiere), as well as the Albanian premiere of Richard Strauss' Horn Concerto No. 1, featuring guest horn soloist Oliver de Clercq.
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| Oliver and Bujar discuss scores over lunch |
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| Dress rehearsal with the Albanian Radio-Television Orchestra: Maestro Bujar Llapaj, and guest horn soloist Oliver de Clercq |
Maestro Llapaj, along with Ms. Knudson and Mr. de Clercq were interviewed for a morning television show in Tirana, and the concert performance on March 21st was also recorded and broadcast-- we are just waiting to receive a copy of the recording. Mr. de Clercq also gave a horn masterclass to students at the Academy of Arts in Tirana, and Ms. Knudson did the same for the composition class at the Academy-- it was very interesting to connect with the students and to meet the staff and other musicians there too.
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| Horn masterclass at the Academy of Arts, Tirana, Albania |
Due to political circumstances, Albania had been cut off from musical developments elsewhere in the world for much of the 20th century-- it is only within the past two decades or so, that they are just beginning to discover and explore some of the fascinating and diverse musical ideas that the past century has to offer. It was a real honour and pleasure to be a small part of that.
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| Post-concert celebrations: hornist Oliver de Clercq, composer Elizabeth Knudson, and Maestro Bujar Llapaj |
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