April 17, 2022
I have just spent an inspiring and rejuvenating week in Skopje, where the contemporary music festival Days of Macedonian Music took place.
On 9th April, Meitar Ensemble (Talia Herzlich, Yoni Gotlibovich and Amit Dolberg) from Israel presented a colourful and dynamic programme by Israeli and Macedonian composers: Arik Shapira, Miroslav Spasov, Sotir Golabovski, Eli Korman, Yair Klartag and myself. Thrilling, virtuosic playing by Meitar. My piece ‘Opal’ was premered by Talia Herzlich, and she was fantastic – I could not have asked for a more commited approach and it was a captivating performance.
On 11th April, the Macedonian trio Triptych (piano 6 hands) gave a concert comprised of six new pieces, all written for them. Marija Vrskova, Elena Atanasovska and Sara Projkovska have started such an exciting project, and their playing was brilliant, individually and as a group – works by Damjan Temkov, Ana Pandevska, Darija Andovska, Bete Ilin, Filip Ivanov and my new piece ‘Saati’.
On 13th April, I participated in a panel discussion with fellow Macedonian composer Pande Shahov (also living in the UK) and the journalist / musicologist Angelina Dimovska. I am grateful for the opportunity to talk about my music, and the conversation touched on a number of wider issues regarding contemporary music – I found it stimulating and thought-provoking.
It was a week I will remember – just fantastic to be back in my home country and work with such amazing musicians.
