John TAVENER 'Song of Athene'/Kosova Philharmonic Choir/R. RUDI cond.

John TAVENER Song of Athene
Rafet RUDI conductor
www.rafetrudi.com
([e-mail]) [phone]
Concert 15.12.2011
Catholic Church "Shen Ndou" Pristina-KOSOVA
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Rafet RUDI (Albanian/kosovar composer and conductor)
In Kosovo's musical world, Rafet Rudi represents the most prominent and active personality in the last 2-3 decades. His activity as a composer, conductor, and intellectual work in journalism and philosophy of music and continuous membership in the European Academy of Sciences and Art constitute such a statement.
Rudi left the early neoclassical phase in the mid-1970s and quickly became acquainted with the time's avant-garde currents. Under the Polish school's influence (Lutoslavski, Penderecki), he embraced the new trends of atonal music (Metamorphosis for Fl., Pf., M.Sop and string orchestra, Shaving for guitar and bows, etc.).
He made a significant turn in his creativity with his stay in Paris as a scholarship holder of the French Government 1979-1980. There, he lectured on CNSM in the class of composer Claude Ballif. As a reflection of his studies in Paris, he wrote works such as Cantata "Flijimi" (1983), "Fantasia in Si" (1985) for violin and piano, Concerto for guitar and Orchestra (1986). In the 90s, "Rudi began a new creative phase where the idiom of postmodern music was discreetly integrated - the rediscovery of tonality served as the source of a new creative impulse" (A. Temirzhanova-Basha musicologist). As a result of this orientation, he wrote the works "Icare ubi es" Choir, two pianos and percussions, "Arbëresh bells" for solo piano, "Afresk Arbëresh III" for 2 pianos, Choir, percussion, tape etc.
Since 1976 he has been working as a Professor at the Academy of Music in Prishtina (Analysis of Musical Forms and Composition).
Rudi is the founder of the Kosovar Center for New Music (since 1999) and the founder of the Contemporary Music Festival «ReMusica» (2002-2015), through which he collaborated with international renown ensembles and artists such as Aki Takahashi, Rafael Andia, Marcel Worms, Petrit Çeku, Pierrot Lunaire Ensemble-Wien, Amici della Musica-Cagliari etc. His works are published in the Editions musicales Transantlantiques of Paris, Peermusic of Hamburg, etc.
After 2000, Rudi built his expressive language in the synthesis between archaism and modernity, freeing himself from any stylistic rigidity (Works "Laudatio funebris", for soprano and string orchestra, "Concertante fantasy" for violin and Choir, "Le tombeau Oublié" for solo piano, "In A", for two sopranos)
As conductor of the Kosovo Philharmonic Choir, Rudi has held concerts in Macedonia, Croatia, Albania, Italy. While after a concert in England, the medium "Hastings Observer" writes "A stunning, mystical performance from Kosovo Philharmonic Choir". The Choir recordings can be found on various internet platforms. Among others, the prestigious classical music radio, Classic FM, considers one of Choir's performances under Rudi's conduction as one of the ten best performances of composer John Tavener. In recent years, Rudi is dedicated to discovering, restoring, and adapting the choral literature of old Albanian authors Gjergj Danush Llapacaj-century. XVI, Jan Kukuzelit-shek. XIII and Niketas of Remisiana-century. IV). Rudi is also actively involved in journalism.s
Rudi has over 400 different writings in the field of essays and various writings in the field of aesthetics and music philosophy, which completes his creative profile. However, he represents "one of the most emblematic figures of Albanian / Kosovar culture" (N. Kraja), and undoubtedly "Rudi has extraordinary value… and a weight, I would say, key in the pan-Albanian musical art" (E. Krantja)
Rafet Rudi is a member of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts and a member of the Albanian Academy of Arts and Sciences
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[@chrisjones98]

I am curious as to why people give a thumbs down,why not move on to something they might like ? Negativity is always a backward step ......stay cool peeps x

[@jamesmcvicker6642]

+Chris Jones Welcome to the internet

[@charlesm.kithcart1636]

Mr. Jones, I draw your attention to the staggering amount of people who chose to view this magnificent work, 77K + with 300 + feeling the need to approve and a minuscule 11 people or 0.01416667% of the total disapproving. This approval rating that is a sure sign of a masterpiece. And a clear indicator of where our focus should be.

[@dissilymordentroge5818]

They could be tone deaf, unfamiliar with western classical music or maybe horrified by anything ‘churchy’. But who cares? To my ears the best performance of this was given at Princess Diana’s funeral. The combinanation of the emotion of the occasion, the addition of an organ accompaniment and the chilling effect of hearing the pall bearers carry the coffin stepping accurately in time with the anthem are utterly chilling. Sadly this version doesn’t appear to be available on KZbin without either appalling recording tecnique &/or an intrusive overriding commentary. It is available on CD however.

[@alextilson5809]

Such a beautiful song I remember this been sung at HRH Princess Diana's Funeral its a very peaceful and moving song

[@BlueMewSings3]

Beautiful beyond words. Who are the dislikers? Must have hit the wrong button. Thanks for the post. Especially sad at the loss of one of the best. RIP John Tavener. Composer for the angels.

[@malcolmbird9928]

Just been listening again to this absolute masterpiece. The conductor amuses me in his anticipation of the finale - he fuckin lives it doesnt he- but what a crecendo , for a few seconds into it you think it can't get any better but it does ,it goes into space, into the meaning of all life.

[@adamsmith6849]

Magical.... totally

[@brianheney8063]

beyond words I am stunned and in tears of awe listening in complete astonishment.

[@dissilymordentroge5818]

A wonderful performance but for me the recording made of the performance given at Princess Diana's funeral is the one that tears be apart still, all these years later. The sound of the coffin bearers feet marching on the cathedral floor unintentionally puts us all in our place with terrifying clarity.

[@magicmanhoops1]

+Dissily Mordentroge You are so right - when i watched Princess Diana's funeral and heard this music - feet marching step by step - i knew i had to find out what the origin and name of this majestic piece of music was. I found it. I would want it played when my final day is at hand. Its really beautiful.

[@adamsmith6849]

It's like witnessing celestial orbs of heavenly voices floating through the air...drifting in both prayer and mourning all simultaneously....

[@sbterrell23]

Goosebumps. This is probably the most beautiful piece of music I've ever sung. This performance is simply gorgeous.

[@magicmanhoops1]

+Shawna Terrell I think this music is the most beautiful music ive every heard. Beautiful and emotional.

[@monizdm]

I have a recording of this piece. This is better. It captures the sadness more than the recording I have. I, for one, am glad I heard this rendition. If I am not mistaken, the impetus for this was the untimely motorcycle accident death of a friend of Tavener's. The pain is very evident.

[@Johnmell100]

Stunningly sung version of this majestic work!!

[@Petra1001uk]

and now, with the passing our our queen, Elizabeth, this wonderful music and words have another relevance. In King Charles' first speech to the nation, he speaks to his mama at the end, and says 'may flights of angels sing thee to thy rest'... stunning words. I've no doubt Charles chose this for Diana's funeral. He was friends with the composer - and for good reason. Alleluia. May flights of angels sing thee to thy rest. Alleluia. Remember me, o Lord, when you come into your kingdom. Alleluia. Give rest, o Lord, to your handmaid who has fallen asleep. Alleluia. The Choir of Saints have found the well-spring of life and door of paradise. Alleluia. Life : a shadow and a dream. Alleluia. Weeping at the grave creates the song : Alleluia. Alleluia. Come, enjoy the rewards and crowns I have prepared for you.

[@mcraewrx]

I sang this at the premiere of this work and this sounds as good if not better than Westminster Abbey!

[@frankhornby6873]

Absolutely beautiful...........Hallelujah........

[@chrisjones98]

That is just so good...........

[@scottgardner2579]

Wonderful! Probably the best version on youtube! Stunning direction as well.

[@cbritomo]

É maravilhoso

[@TownHouseFilms]

This is without doubt the best recording of this majestic piece I have ever heard. Spellbinding.

[@oldnappo]

Musik aus einer anderen Welt.Wunderschön.

[@FolsomBluesPrison]

5:05 When your friend asks "Are you feeling anything yet?" and the MDMA has just kicked in.

[@leedshunk]

absolutely beautiful , i've sung this and it's hard work , fabulous !!!

[@darrylswrinkledmarineshoes752]

I prince William thank you for uploading this song. It is and always will be hauntingly beautifual !

[@1966Veronique]

So very beautiful top choir

[@ulissgrg3869]

Simplemente maravilloso escuchar este tema es cómo sentir la presencia de Dios una enorme paz, amor y ternura misericordia al mismo tiempo, Señor Jesús ten misericordia de todos nosotros de toda la humanidad llevanos al cielo a tu gloria para toda la eternidad. 🙏🕊️Qué nuestro hermano Beato Carlo Acuti sea nuestro intercedor Amén. 🌎🙏

[@julievecchitto9855]

Goosebumps!

[@samsodden]

This is a really good one. I love this song and sang it with my choir last year but only for SSAA so it didn't have all the layers this one does :)

[@obeatatrinitas]

-Alleluia. May flights of angels sing thee to thy rest. [Horatio: Now cracks a noble heart. - Good night, sweet prince, And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest! From: Hamlet, Act V, scene ii] -Alleluia. Remember me, O Lord, when you come into your kingdom. [O thou who reignest over life and death, in the courts of thy Saints grant rest unto him [her] whom thou hast removed from temporal things. And remember me also, when thou comest into thy kingdom. From: Orthodox funeral service; Luke 23:42] -Alleluia. Give rest, O Lord, to your handmaid, who has fallen asleep. [Where the choirs of the Saints, O Lord, and of the Just, shine like the stars of heaven, give rest to thy servant /handmaid who hath fallen asleep, regarding not all his/her transgressions. From: Orthodox funeral service] -Alleluia. The Choir of Saints have found the well-spring of life and door of Paradise. (The Choir of the Saints have found the Fountain of Life and the Door of Paradise. May I also find the right way, through repentance. I am a lost sheep. Call me, O Saviour, and save me. From: Orthodox funeral service) -Alleluia. Life: a shadow and a dream. [Guildenstern: Which dreams, indeed, are ambition; for the very substance of the ambitious is merely the shadow of a dream. Hamlet: A dream itself is but a shadow. From: Hamlet, Act II, scene ii] -Alleluia. Weeping at the grave creates the song: Alleluia. Come, enjoy rewards and crowns I have prepared for you. [Enjoy ye the honours and the crowns which I have prepared for you. From: Orthodox funeral service] -Alleluia. (Source: Wikipedia, Song for Athene)

[@mrnnhnz]

cool piece

[@MajlindaKadiu-ps7qf]

❤ arstina ❤ kadiu 🦋 motra 😢 jote Linda kadiu 💍

[@mikebeer9699]

beautiful why do they hold the music, surely they have rehearsed this many many times, is it just for effect?

[@emorris5219]

the woman around 5:30 is so beautiful...

[@peteriddqd]

taking invisible D

[@specialunit0428]

i don't think so. but that is just my opinion :)

[@christinelambe2239]

Drags in the tempo too much in the beginning. This is a beautiful selection of music to perform.

[@KlaytonAlbright]

ATHENE TTTT.

[@bghoody5665]

They should have handed out some Fisherman's Friend to the audience before this started. Geeze Louise.

[@thebigmars]

too bad they went sharp :(

[@MarcusWoodOfficialVideos]

much dissonance so wow very choir

[@simonhershey1525]

jezus kryst m8 ths shit picks up right away