The journey from Rožaje to Venice was not (wasn't) easy at all, a young Montenegrin pianist tells Vijesti Elida Fetahovic. She, however, passed it very successfully and with distinction, with strict discipline, perseverance, immense support from her parents and their sacrifices, she emphasizes, all of which was led by the urge for art, the desire for creativity, and an undoubted gift.
Fetahović repeatedly confirms his skill, work, effort and love for his calling, and his latest recognition is the "First Absolute Prize" at the XVII International Competition "Young Musicians" in Treviso, Italy.
"Like all previous awards, this one is of great importance and represents recognition for all the years of effort and work, both mine and that of my professors." Letitia Michelon with whom I have been collaborating for seven years. "I think this award is a great recognition for me, and besides that, it is also good news for my family who always supports me, for the faculty where I study, for my city and my country. Competitions and festivals are a good opportunity for young artists to present themselves. Awards and recognition are always welcome, and they only motivate me even more to be persistent, stick to my path and continue working," Fetahović tells Vijesti, emphasizing that this is additional motivation and inspiration for her to continue her work, grateful to her family and Professor Michelon.
The competition was held on April 11th in the city of Treviso, in the Veneto region. It was an international competition, bringing together competitors from 25 countries, and the expert jury for the piano section consisted of: president Irene Russo from Italy, where they are from Mateo Aijelo i Matija Ometo, but and Francisca Lee Je-eun from South Korea and Kristina Marton-Argerich from Romania.
The piano, says Fetahović, is an integral part of her life and her lifestyle, and she also reveals what is currently in her repertoire and how she presented herself at the competition where she stood out compared to her colleagues from around the world.
“I have been into music since I was a child and it is rare that a day goes by without playing, especially when competitions, concerts and exams are coming up. Currently, my repertoire consists of works Johannes Brahms, who is one of my favorite composers, and I have dedicated this cycle of studies to his works for solo piano, piano and orchestra, as well as chamber music. In addition to Brahms, I am currently working on the repertoire of the famous Japanese composer Tošija Hosokave, "whose works, among other things, were included in the competition repertoire," adds the pianist.
The long-term collaboration with Professor Leticia Michelon is obviously fruitful, but what makes Fetahović stand out is one special privilege - learning from his mother. Oksana who is from Ukraine, and from whom she studied in elementary music school. However, she was also shaped by other professors during her education, from Rožaje, through Cetinje, Trieste to Venice, she points out.
"I took my first steps on the piano thanks to my mother Oksana. She was my first teacher, she introduced me to the magical world of music and laid the foundation. In high school music I worked with Tamara Maksimović, and afterwards at the Music Academy in Cetinje with professor Bojan Martinović. "They all selflessly shared their knowledge and made a great contribution to my education. In music, learning is never complete, so every collaboration with various pianists enriches my knowledge, broadens my horizons and gives me additional motivation," says Fetahović, who, after secondary music school, enrolled in the Music Academy in Cetinje in 2015, piano department, in the class of professor Bojan Martinović.
She continued her studies at the Giuseppe Tartini Conservatory in Trieste, Italy, where she began her collaboration with Professor Michelon and Professor Flavium Zachariah. She completed her master's studies with the highest grade in Venice, at the "Benedetto Marchielon" Conservatory. For Vijesti, she briefly shares her impressions gained during that trip...
“Studies in Italy are one of the most important and key moments in my education. Thanks to the cooperation of the Music Academy in Cetinje and the Conservatory in Trieste, many of our students have had the opportunity to study in Italy. It is not only about musical education, but also about the general development of a young artist. Italy is a country of opera, a country of the Renaissance, of great artists like Michelangelo, Da Vinci and numerous others, and their monumental works in painting, architecture and art in general. I'm currently in Venice and I feel like I'm living in an open-air museum. Art is all around you. There's also the Venice Biennale, both of architecture and contemporary art, which brings together the most famous artists from around the world every year. The Great Pianist Arturo Benedetti Michelangelo "He used to teach at the Benedetto Marcello Conservatory where I currently study, and all of that had a positive impact on my education and my development. Being surrounded by art is the dream of every young artist," Fetahović points out.
The young artist from Rožaje already has impressive experience and the foundations for a great international career. Given this, she comments on the role of culture and music in smaller communities, the current position of classical music in Rožaje, but also in Montenegro in general, and her view of the space that young artists are given.
"I can say that the path from Rožaje to Venice was not easy at all, but fortunately I achieved everything with strict discipline, perseverance, as well as with the immense support of my parents and their sacrifices. Unfortunately, classical music in Rožaje is not at an enviable level, nor in the north in general, but I sincerely hope that this situation will change over time. I believe that the whole of Montenegro, although territorially small, has a lot of young talents who can do a lot. I always try to present my city and my country in the best light and my wish is that one day, when I finish my studies, I will contribute to the development of culture and help young people with education," she says.
Motivation and discipline, he confirms, play a key role in the long and demanding process of musical education that lasts a lifetime.
"Yes, motivation and discipline are the main pillars of music education. Even when motivation disappears, discipline prevails. I believe that the path of a musician is not easy at all. Anyone who decides to play an instrument professionally should be prepared for great sacrifices, daily hours of practice, ups and downs. Similar to sports. In addition, of course, you should always take care of your body, for injuries that are common when you spend a lot of time practicing," she says.
Various performances constantly enrich her experience and hone her skills, and she once had the opportunity to demonstrate this in front of the then royal couple from the United Kingdom, Prince Charles and his wife Kamilom, when they were staying in Cetinje. On that occasion, Fetahović played with her colleague Majom Petijević "Scherzo" by the Russian composer C. Kjuija.
"In general, I look at every performance, concert, competition, exam as something special. Every performance brings a new experience, and that was the case in 2016, when my colleague and I, as part of the piano duo Alter Ego, were in Professor's class." Natasa Popovic, "They played at a concert organized in honor of the royal couple's visit to Montenegro. The event itself remains in my memory very fondly, especially the conversation at the end of the concert with the then Duchess Camilla," adds Fetahović.
The artist reveals that her future plans are numerous, and announces some of them.
"I'm currently preparing for the concerts I'll be having in the coming period in Ferrara, Venice, Pordenone, but also for the exam period, so I'm returning to order, work, and discipline," he says.
Unfortunately, classical music in Rožaje is not at an enviable level, nor in the north in general, but I sincerely hope that this situation will change over time. I believe that the whole of Montenegro, although territorially small, has a lot of young talents who can do a lot. I always try to present my city and my country in the best light and my wish is that one day, when I finish my studies, I will contribute to the development of culture and help young people with education", says Elida Fetahović
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