Kosovo Philharmonic Choir, Kosovo

Kosovo Philharmonic Choir Kosovo Philharmonic Choir is a professional ensemble with 50 singers, that continues the work of the Professional Choir of the Radio Television of Prishtina, a choir that was well-known in the 80’s under the direction of conductor Rafet Rudi. Choir’s work was dismissed in 1990 after Radio Television of Prishtina was taken over by Serbian regime, just like all other institutions in Kosovo. In just under a decade after reestablishing in 2003, now as part of Kosovo Philharmonic, the Choir has established itself as one of the foremost choirs in the region. Revolving around the major choral works of the baroque to romantic periods, the choir’s wide-ranging repertoire extends also to contemporary music (A. Pärt, E. Whitacre, O. Gjeilo, Ē. Ešenvald, V. Tormis, etc.). Concerts in recent years have included also messes/oratorios by Mozart, Monteverdi, Bach, Vivaldi, Beethoven and Haydn. The Choir has also performed new commissions, mostly by Kosovar composers. Kosovo Philharmonic Choir has appeared in some important venues and significant historical monuments: St. Louis des Invalides Cathedral (Paris-France, 2019), White Rock Theatre (Hastings-UK, 2018), Basilica Papale di San Paolo Fuori Le Mura (Rome-Italy, 2016), Amphitheatre of Durrës (Durrës-Albania, 2015), The Euphrasian Basilica (Poreč-Croatia, 2007) etc. Kosovo Philharmonic Choir has collaborated also with guest conductors: Marko Vatovec and Damijan Močnik (Slovenia), Marcio da Silva (Brazil / UK), Toshio Yanagisawa (Japan), etc. With its activity the Choir has developed continuously the tradition of the choral singing in Kosovo, present in the country since 1945. Hajrulaah Syla- conductor Hajrullah Syla is a Kosovar composer and conductor. He studied composition with Mendi Mengjiqi at the University of Pristina and conducting with Bajar Berisha at the same University. As a composer and conductor he was presented in different countries like: Kosovo, Albania, Germany, Bulgaria, Turkey, Belgium, USA etc. He has conducted different Orchestras such as: Kosovo Philharmonic, Kosovo Youth Orchestra, “Rexho Mulliqi” Chamber Orchestra etc… In 2015 he was a winner of the Berlin Auditions 2015 which is anually organised by Spectrum Concerts, which was followed by a concert in the Berliner Kammermusiksaal on April of 2016 where two of his works were performed one for clarinet solo and a piece for chamber ensemble. He has participated in masterclasses with conductors like: Toshio Yanagisawa, Rene Gulikers, John Armstrong, Nathalie Marin etc… also he was a participant in the ACDA Conference in USA, the EAS Conference in Lithuania and is the winner of two scholarships from MM-University – USA. His works include like:Piano trio, Duo for violin and cello, Piano quintet, Color Sextet for Piano, String Quartet No.1, various choral works, Overture for symphonic orchestra, Concertino for clarinet, Concerto for violin and  orchestra etc… In 2012 Syla formed the vocal ensemble “Attacca”, which consists of 16 proffesional vocalists. Since 2012  he works as am assistant conductor in the Kosovo Philharmonic, and since 2013 he works as a teacher at the Secondary School of Music “Prenk Jakova” in Gjakova