After presenting herself last year at the 15th Petrovac Jazz Festival, prominent Macedonian concert pianist Ema Popivoda, recognizable for her authentic style and unusual repertoire, in the middle of last month presented herself again to the Montenegrin audience with concerts at the Royal Theater Zetski dom in Cetinje and the Cultural and Information Center "Budo Tomović" in Podgorica.
"Montenegro is a country with a rich cultural tradition and wonderful music. For guest appearances in Montenegro, as a gift to the audience, I wrote a composition on the theme of the Montenegrin song 'The dawn has not yet come'. I sincerely hope they liked it", she reveals in an interview with "Vijesti" and points out that she is satisfied with the warm reception of the Montenegrin audience.
Born into a musical family, Popivoda has shown a strong talent and interest in this art since childhood. For years, she perfected and honed her style and virtuosity, which today characterizes the most common performances of contemporary composers from her homeland, but in combination with compositions based on Macedonian traditional music and with the works of romantics... She is also dedicated to chamber music, so she often performs at the most prestigious festivals and cultural events around the world with a diverse range of musical collaborators.
"Music and culture are the identity of a people. They are their trademark and reflect the authenticity of each nation. I am glad that Macedonia is a country with a rich musical tradition that is really appreciated. In general, the countries of the Balkans abound in a truly rich cultural tradition, music, folklore, each different and special. That's why I believe that every country should nurture its culture, its music and work on their promotion", she said in an interview with "Vijesti"...
She completed her doctoral studies in piano performance with the highest grade in her class. As part of the "Macedonian Nocturne" concert, Popivoda, to the delight of the audience, performed 12 compositions by the Macedonian author Dimitrije Bužarovski, which were based on Macedonian folk themes. Although the compositions are written in the pleasant and unique piano style of Chopin and Liszt, the music is still understandable and easy to listen to because of the recognizable themes of Macedonian folk songs such as: Zajdi zajdi, Kaleš Anr, Jovano Jovanke, Ne si go prodavaj Koljo čiflikot, Despia , More sokol pie, Trnuško...
Popivoda is a recognized Macedonian concert pianist and associate professor of piano in her country... Along with her career as a pianist, she also participated in an experimental fusion music project. In 2015, Popivoda was a soloist with the Orchestra regional de Cannes, in Nice, France, performing a concert for piano orchestra and DJ, with world-renowned producer Derik Maia. Her latest project "Acoustic Electronics", in which world-famous electronic hits for piano and drums are adopted, was evaluated by music critics in Austria, Croatia and Montenegro as unique, inspiring and refreshing. Popivoda represented Macedonia as a member of the global network of leaders "Global Bridges" as a young cultural leader. The President of North Macedonia, Đorđe Ivanov, honored her as a leader in the field of culture and art.
She spoke to "Vijesti" about her career, performances in Montenegro, musical art in general...
You recently held two concerts in Montenegro, in the Royal Theater in Cetinje and in the KIC Budo Tomović in Podgorica. In addition, you have visited Montenegro before. What impressions do you have this time, what was special for you compared to before and what kind of relationship did you have with the present audience?
I am really happy that I had the opportunity to perform in Montenegro again. I always encounter an excellent and warm reception from the audience, a very pleasant concert atmosphere and highly professional organization of the concert. This time I performed in three cities, in three concert halls. I had the opportunity to share music with a wonderful audience, from whom I received sincere positive comments after each concert. My previous visit to Montenegro was at the Petrovac Jazz Festival and the Pine Music Promenade in Tivat, which was a completely different experience. The stages of those festivals were open, and the program I performed was from my author's concert project "Acoustic Electronics". This last visit was different and I am very satisfied with the wonderful reception, new acquaintances and positive energy of all three concerts.
The program of the concert that you called "Macedonian Nocturne" included 12 compositions by the Macedonian author Dimitrije Bužarovski. Why did you decide to perform exactly 12 of his works and how did the audience accept them, given that some world-famous compositions are performed more often, let's say classics in classical music? What characterizes Bužarovski's style and how demanding is it for you to perform?
In my concert repertoire, I play works from the standard classical piano literature. But I also have several concert projects with music by Macedonian authors, as well as my own music. With these nocturnes - op. 49 and op. 52 by Dimitri Bužarovski, written on Macedonian folk themes, I had the opportunity to perform on many world concert stages, such as New York, Tokyo, London, Budapest, Rome, Bratislava, Brussels, Belgrade, Sofia etc. The audience and organizers always accept this music with admiration, and music critics highly appreciate the compositions and interpretation. It is this program where you can hear the themes of famous Macedonian songs Zajdi zajdi, Jovano Jovanka, Sićaš li se Milica, More soko pije, Ne prodaj Kolja salaš, etc. they give authenticity to the concert. This concert is a great promotion of Macedonian folklore, Macedonian music and culture, which the audience is happy to hear. That's why I decided to perform this concert in Montenegro. Long applause, ovations and congratulations after the concert show that this concert left a positive impression on the Montenegrin audience.
How important is contemporary cultural exchange in classical/serious music today and why? Also, how important is it to deviate from the classics and what are the foundations, and how would art be further built and developed?
Cultural exchange and international cultural cooperation are especially important for the career of every musical artist. That's one way to build a concert career. Cultural cooperation provides opportunities for exchanging concerts, professional development and opportunities for joint collaboration between artists. I am especially glad that I met wonderful colleagues in Montenegro, including Tanja Bogdanović - director of the music school in Cetinje, Mihajlo Lazarević - director of the music school in Kotor and Snežana Burzan, director of KIC "Budo Tomović", with whom the cooperation continues.
I think that every artist should find his own way, to expand his horizons outside the classical program. In my career, concerts with contemporary music and those where I appear as a composer are the works most often requested by music festivals to perform.
A nocturne in its original definition would be a smaller composition written for the piano, with a dreamy undertone, with longing and perhaps melancholy. I would say that as such, Nocturne is a true description of art and the environment in which the artist creates, poetic and romanticized, even romantic and renaissance... What does nocturne represent for you as a pianist, as a performer, a musician, but also a listener, a woman?
The most famous are Chopin's nocturnes. Chopin is also the founder of this musical form as a composition of great expressiveness and a lot of emotions. Composer Bužarovski's choice to write Macedonian folk songs in this form is completely on target. Macedonian folk songs that were sung in the past at city evening gatherings (nocturne - night, evening music), written in the form of nocturne fully justify their purpose. As a performer, I try to convey emotions, unique melodies and rich harmonies of Macedonian folk songs. The complex piano texture written in these compositions is a real challenge for any pianist. So together with their authenticity, emotion and complexity they are a real challenge for me every time I perform them.
You said earlier that the basic idea for the realization of your CD with Macedonian compositions was to leave physical material and recordings with Macedonian music that will represent a postcard for Macedonian culture, folklore and art. What does that postcard look like? And what was your approach to the performance, how much of an obligation and responsibility is it, but at the same time a pleasure, an honor?
It is a great honor and pleasure that I had the opportunity to make a CD with this music. I think that every performer should have their recordings and records that remain written in the history of musical interpretation. I also recorded a music video for the song "Zajdi zajdi", which caused a lot of attention and experienced a really high viewership on the YouTube channel. The very popularity of the music video encouraged the recording of all the compositions. I had the full support of the composer Bužarovski, who personally worked with me on these compositions. Long, hard and dedicated work on the recording of this CD resulted in a really great edition of the Macedonian Nocturne. In addition to the CD, Nocturne is available for listening on all online platforms such as Spotify, iTunes, Bandcamp, etc.
They used to say: "Don't sing through Bosnia, don't dance through Serbia, and don't dance or sing through Macedonia." How much can we conclude about a nation, country, culture and art based on music, dance, folklore, and even language?
Music and culture are the identity of a nation. They are their trademark and reflect the authenticity of each nation. I am glad that Macedonia is a country with a rich musical tradition that is really appreciated. In general, the countries of the Balkans abound in a truly rich cultural tradition, music, folklore, each different and special. That's why I believe that every country should cherish its culture, its music and work on their promotion.
To what extent are folklore and music bearers of an identity, and on the other hand, how universal are they? How would you present Macedonian art in this sense and is the identity preserved today, which is the legacy of music and dance, if we take into account the creation of a global collective identity?
I agree with your statements in the questions. Music, art, and folklore are guardians of the identity, language, and traditions of the people. Every country has its own different music and folklore and that's what makes the music special. I had the opportunity to present this concert project of mine on the international stage at over 50 concerts around the world. I think it is a great promotion of Macedonian music and culture. The beauty of Macedonian music, irregular Macedonian rhythms, beautiful folk melodies always delight the audience, even in those countries that are getting acquainted with Macedonian song for the first time.
I would say that music is a universal language, the one that gives us a global collective identity. Its beauty is that it reflects all the differences not only of countries but also of each individual.
How do you see Montenegrin art and identity in that context and whether and to what extent culture, art and identity mix and/or conflict with politics? How to preserve, nurture and develop them?
I never associate music with politics. Regardless of the political situation, artists from all countries collaborate, performing joint compositions. The power of music is to unite, without prejudice and limitations.
Montenegro is a country with a rich cultural tradition and wonderful music. For guest appearances in Montenegro, as a gift to the audience, I wrote a composition on the theme of the Montenegrin song "The dawn is not yet dawning". I sincerely hope they liked it.
Where are you currently, do you have anything you are currently working on or plans for the future?
At the moment, the final preparations are being made before my concert in Prague. A few days ago I had a big concert in Skopje in the concert hall of the Macedonian Philharmonic, where I performed together with the Profundis orchestra. I performed original compositions called "Supersonic", and the conductor of the concert was Paolo Sibilia from Italy. These modern dance compositions caused a standing ovation from the audience. So I hope that I will have the opportunity to present them in Montenegro as well. With the "Supersonic" project. During the summer, together with the orchestra, we will have a tour through several cities in Italy.
Recognition from Japan that confirms that music reaches everyone
With the composition "Do you remember Milica" you received an award from the City of Tokyo. How much does it mean to you, does it actually speak about the power and importance of music? How far does music go, why is it important, what does it give us?
During the pandemic, the city of Tokyo announced a competition to help artists who could not perform at that time. With our fellow pianist from Japan, Asami Sate, we were supposed to hold several concerts during that period, which were unfortunately canceled due to the pandemic. That's why we decided to make an online video in which we perform a composition for two pianos together and enter the competition. It was a new experience for us, first to record the parts - her part in Tokyo, me in Skopje, and then to synchronize them. We recorded the composition "Do you remember Milica" - Nocturne op. 52 for two pianos by Dimitri Bužarovski. For the video, we used footage from Skopje and Tokyo showing the architecture of the Japanese architect Kenzo Tange. The Japanese architect Tange built Skopje after the catastrophic earthquake in 1963. So we wanted to show that he is the thread that connects these two distant cities. Among the 20.000 submitted projects, our video received an award that we are really proud of. This recognition shows that music can reach all peoples, speak all languages, connect people from all over the world.
A family love of music and the piano that continues
What do you associate your beginnings with, how and when did you discover the piano, and how did your path develop further?
Playing the piano is a tradition in my family. My mother, grandmother, great-grandmother played the piano. I come from a musical family and my musical education came naturally. I always had the support of my mother Vivian, who is responsible for both my musical journey and my love for music. My daughter is also learning to play the piano. I don't know if he will do it professionally or not, but I am happy that he is continuing the great musical tradition of my family.
A rich career and lifestyle, but he achieves and balances everything
How demanding and challenging is it to play music and be a pianist? How much renunciation and dedication does it entail, and is it different from other vocations in life?
In today's busy lifestyle, it's really hard to be a concert performer. It requires a lot of dedication, daily work, a lot of travel, a lot of cancellations, which is really a challenge. and my most important role is taking care of my family. There are some really interesting situations, for example when I got an invitation to play in Tokyo, and my daughter Vivien Lola was still a baby. Not wanting to miss the chance to play in concert, I decided to take her with me on that long trip. The organizers were delighted that I concentrated on playing during the dress rehearsal, and I also managed to change her diapers during the breaks.
I am really happy that I manage to balance between full-time work as a piano teacher at the Music Academy in Štip, concert performances and family life. I also work as an art selector at the Modoars Festival, which is celebrating its 15th anniversary this year. I also have my own music school for the piano in Skopje, which works according to a specially written method-program for learning the piano. For this piano method, I wrote four books for piano beginners, which children at school do with great success.
It's really hard with so many commitments. But with good organization and great support from my husband Davor Popivoda, I manage to achieve.
Bonus video:
