Kosovo Philharmonic holds spring concert with large audience in Pristina

PRISTINA — The Kosovo Philharmonic held a spring concert in Pristina, offering a programme of works by European and Albanian composers. The hall filled with classical music lovers, with students from the Academy of Arts also visible in the audience.

The programme opened with a work by a European classical composer and continued with an Albanian piece, which was met with long applause from the audience. The conductor and soloists of the evening were greeted at the end by a hall on its feet.

The Philharmonic has said that during the year it has worked to expand its repertoire and to collaborate with soloists from Tirana, Skopje and European countries, with work alongside a younger generation of musicians also part of its commitment.

Classical music seeking new space

According to Philharmonic leaders, classical music in Kosovo continues to face challenges in infrastructure and in audience flow, but interest is constantly growing, especially in Pristina. Cheaper tickets for students and family concerts are part of the institution’s new policy.

Part of the discussion has been the need for a dedicated symphonic concert hall, which would offer professional acoustics and allow a more intensive calendar of performances. Some current concerts are held in halls that were not originally designed for classical music.

Philharmonic leaders said the strong audience presence at recent concerts shows that demand for classical music exists, but that institutions must also seriously consider the infrastructure that makes this art accessible.

The Philharmonic has announced that a joint concert with an orchestra from Tirana is expected in the upcoming calendar, while work is continuing on limited tours through other Kosovar cities.

Source: Telegrafi (Culture), with editorial adaptation by DPT.