The Balkan 8 Cello Ensemble will hold a concert tonight at the Kotor Cultural Center “Nikola Đurković” starting at 20 p.m. The Kotor audience will have the opportunity to enjoy the unique combination of eight cellos and percussion, through a program that brings a wealth of Balkan melodies imbued with oriental, Mediterranean and Slavic tones.
The Balkan 8 ensemble consists of eight top cellists and one percussionist, gathered around the idea of presenting the Balkan musical tradition in a new, contemporary way. Formed within the framework of IMSA - the International Music and Stage Association, this ensemble brings freshness to the stage through original arrangements and an innovative approach to performance, and is led by the artistic director Dmitri Prokofiev, a renowned cellist with a rich international career.
The Balkan 8 ensemble has already had the opportunity to present itself to audiences in Montenegro and Georgia. For this performance, there was a small change in the ensemble, and how much it affected the repertoire and what it will perform this time, Vijesti tells Mirjana Jovanovic producer and ensemble manager:
"The Balkan 8 ensemble took its first steps in Tbilisi, Georgia, where it initially operated under the name Amplitudes. That's where the idea of a unique musical project that unites different cultural expressions through a contemporary artistic language was born. Since last year, the ensemble has been operating in Montenegro and has been given a new name - Balkan 8. The project is now part of the non-governmental association IMSA (International Music and Performing Arts Association), which deals with international cooperation in the field of art. Last summer, we had very successful performances in Montenegro - in Cetinje, Luštica and Podgorica, in collaboration with musicians from Georgia, which gave a special color to our program. After that, the ensemble continued to operate independently in Montenegro, thus becoming the first ensemble of this type in our region, which cultivates a combination of different musical traditions through a contemporary approach," said Jovanović, adding that the changes in the composition of the ensemble brought new energy and different colors of sound.
"All of this was reflected in the repertoire itself. This time we will present ourselves to the audience in Kotor with a program that includes arrangements of Balkan melodies, as well as arrangements of traditional melodies from various peoples of the world - all in the spirit of contemporary expression, improvisation and free interpretation. It will be a dynamic and authentic concert that truly reflects our mission - connecting cultures through music," Jovanović reminded.
The sound of the cello will be complemented by percussion instruments that will play Nikola SevaljevicGiven that percussion brings a whole new dimension to any ensemble, Jovanović says about how this instrument influences the cello octet and its role in this composition:
"In an ensemble such as Balkan 8, which has eight cellos, the introduction of percussion has a multi-layered role and can in no way be reduced to just an accompanying element. Namely, its role in this case is not exclusively accompanying, but often equal, and even solo. The percussion, played by Nikola Ševaljević, not only complements the sound image, but also creates a solid rhythmic framework that gives additional clarity and pulse to the music," explains the interviewee of Vijesti and adds that in the context of a repertoire that includes traditional melodies from various peoples of the world, and especially emphasizes the Balkan musical heritage, rhythm plays an extremely important role.
"Balkan music is known for its complex rhythms, odd measures and pronounced dynamic charge, which makes the percussion even more present and authentic. They bring a dose of energy, movement and diversity, but also allow the cellos to come to the fore in the full sound spectrum, whether it is a melodic, harmonic or rhythmic role. Thanks to the percussion contribution, our ensemble gains an additional dimension that communicates with the audience not only through tone, but also through the body - a rhythm that is felt, not just heard", she notes, and when asked if, apart from percussion, another instrument and instrumentalist will enrich the sound of the Balkan 8 ensemble, she answers:
“Currently, the Balkan 8 lineup is fixed at eight cellos and percussion, and that is the form we are sticking to at the moment. However, we are always open to new possibilities, so in the future, depending on the development of the ensemble, we will see how things will unfold. Any change or expansion of the lineup requires thorough artistic reflection and deliberation, and we will certainly, if such changes occur, do so with the care and dedication that quality art requires. Balkan 8 is a project that is growing and developing, and we will continue to explore new sonic horizons and provide the audience with unique musical experiences,” promises Jovanović.
The ensemble plays both works written for eight cellos and those written for other instruments, but adapted for this octet. The eight cellos do not belong to standard instrumental groups, and works composed for a cello octet are rare. Therefore, creating a repertoire for eight cellos represents a great artistic and technical challenge, admits Jovanović.
“It is precisely because this composition is unusual and there is not much original literature written specifically for the cello octet that it is more difficult to create a repertoire. However, it is precisely in this specificity that there is room for creativity, experimentation and creating something different. In our ensemble, the arrangements for Balkan 8 are mostly written by the artistic director. Dmitri Prokofiev", who with exceptional sensitivity and experience shapes existing works for this unique ensemble. His arrangements manage to highlight the full sonic potential of the cello from the deepest basses to almost vocal lyrical lines and to give each member of the ensemble an active and equal musical role," explains the Vijesti interviewee.
The repertoire they perform, according to her, is carefully chosen and designed to balance between original works and covers, between tradition and contemporary expression.
"Our goal is to show the audience that the cello is not just a solo or orchestral instrument, but that in a group it can sound like an entire orchestra - rich, suggestive and completely authentic," reveals Jovanović.
Although many ensembles today have works by contemporary composers in their repertoire, written specifically for their specific ensembles and artistic visions, the Balkan 8 octet has not yet commissioned compositions made exclusively for them. Instead, the ensemble has focused on creating its own expression through original arrangements of traditional melodies, adapted to their specific lineup of eight cellos and percussion.
"We have not yet had a composer who wrote a piece exclusively for the Balkan 8 ensemble, but we hope that in the near future we will have that honor. We believe that it would be extremely important and inspiring if a composer created a special piece for our ensemble. This would enrich our repertoire, open up new artistic horizons and give us the opportunity to explore even deeper the sonic possibilities of eight cellos," Jovanović is sure.
Ensembles that bring together a large number of musicians, such as Balkan 8, often face challenges when it comes to organizing performances. In order to get a gig, they usually have to wait for larger events and festivals, which in our country are most often reserved for the summer season. It is precisely then, during the summer, that such ensembles have the most opportunities to perform.
The band's producer, Mirjana Jovanović, emphasizes how demanding it is to maintain continuity, both in regular practice and collaboration, as well as in the performances themselves. Thanks to enthusiasm and perseverance, these artists manage to find opportunities to present their work to the audience, bringing a breath of freshness to the music scene.
"The circumstances in Montenegro are such that most music festivals are held mainly in the summer due to the tourist season, when musicians have more engagements. This poses certain challenges because summer is the period when performances are most often concentrated, and maintaining continuity of practice throughout the year can be demanding. However, it is crucial for us to find a balance in order to constantly progress, even in periods when performances are not so frequent. When it comes to Balkan 8, as the manager and producer of this band, I can say that we are very satisfied with the interest in our work, even outside the tourist season. Of course, we are open to various forms of cooperation and we believe that projects that bring something new and specific play a key role in enriching the cultural offer. Our goal is to improve and expand our work, both on the domestic scene and internationally, creating space for new musical expressions and innovative projects," concludes Jovanović.
This time we will present ourselves to the audience in Kotor with a program that includes arrangements of Balkan melodies, as well as arrangements of traditional melodies of various peoples of the world - all in the spirit of contemporary expression, improvisation and free interpretation. It will be a dynamic and authentic concert that truly reflects our mission - connecting cultures through music.
Precisely because this composition is unusual and there is not much original literature written specifically for the cello octet, it is more difficult to create a repertoire. However, it is precisely in this specificity that there is room for creativity, experimentation and creating something different. In our ensemble, the arrangements for Balkan 8 are mostly written by the artistic director Dmitry Prokofiev, who with exceptional sensitivity and experience shapes existing works for this unique ensemble.
Bonus video:
