ALBANIA - KOSOVO

Xhemali Bergisha and the ensemble Skaros

Text: Gilles Torrent and Laurent Aubert
1 CD Ethnomad ARN 64568, 2002

Conducted by Gilles Torrent, the Skaros Ensemble has been exploring the traditional repertoires of Greece and Albania since 1982.  The ensemble has participated in numerous festivals across Europe, as an instrumental formation or as accompaniment for prominent Greek and Albanian singers.  The most recent of these collaborations was with the Kosovan singer and dancer Xhemali Berisha, who features on this album.  Before moving to Geneva in 1988, Xhemali Berisha had already amassed a lot of professional experience.  As a singer on Radio Prishtina and then as artistic director of the Shota Ensemble, he was recognised as one of Kosovo’s best traditional artists. He has been associated with the Skaros Ensemble since 1999, and it was with these instrumentalists that he was able to pursue his dream of continuing his artistic career abroad, while still being guaranteed quality accompanying musicians.

"A seductive and uncompromising approach to a fascinating repertoire" (Le Monde de la Musique)

"Top sounds from Berisha & crew" (Songlines)

'The entire album is enjoyable and gives a feeling of uninterrupted time” (Trad Magazine)

**** - Monde de la Musique