Albanian conductor Mr. Bujar Llapaj, winner of many awards, a prominent figure in Albania and the Balkans for classical instrumental music, who has been living in Canada for 20 years, was invited to London, respectively on September 10-11, 2022 for a symphonic concert with of high world artistic level.
The grandeur of this concert was dedicated to the memory of instrumentalist Alan Blackwell, part of the HCO orchestra, who lost his life from Covid a week before this concert.
This farewell atmosphere matched the emotional climate these days in London and throughout the United Kingdom, with the loss of Queen Elizabeth II.
The opening of this concert to the sound of the national anthem “God save the King” and all the guests in the hall standing up in sublime respect to the figure of Elizabeth released a sentimental and proud tone in the atmosphere.
A potential collaboration between the virtuality of the Albanian conductor with the English pianist John Paul Ekins and The Hertfordshire Chamber orchestra. The orchestra which has a career, in the United Kingdom, of more than 50 years.
The public was given a program by three composers first with the overture by Cherubini “Lodoïska”, Maurice Ravel “Piano concerto in G” and “Ma mére l’Oye’ Suite”, also by Igor Stravinsky “Pulcinella Suite”.
During the break between the two acts, the audience got to know the Albanian conductor and the orchestra players more closely, talking heartily and freely, in the beautiful and historical environment of this church, which is more than 1000 years old. Representatives of the British Albanian Artists Association (BAA) in the United Kingdom were present and supported this cultural activity.
A cultural event which will hardly be forgotten in London!
By Anila Kadiaj
