Lorenc Antoni, one of the first composers in Kosovo, was born in Skopje, Macedonia, in 1909. In his family, where musical art was passionately felt, he discovered and developed his early talent. In the absence of opportunities for formal music education, he taught himself music and engaged in studying the works of world composers. In his career as a composer and educator, Antoni faced challenges and difficulties, starting work as a teacher in Ferizaj and later in Pristina and Prizren. For many years, he directed choirs and orchestras, contributing to the promotion of artistic and folk music in Kosovo.
Mulliqi was born on March 18, 1923 in Guci, Montenegro, and attended secondary school at the Medrese in Skopje. He continued his music studies at the Academy of Music in Belgrade, while pursuing his professional engagement as a composer, professor, and conductor in Prishtina and Prizren. He is the founder of artistic music in Kosovo, which has greatly influenced the cultural identity of the country. Inspiration from folklore is evident in his works, but always treated in the context of European creations. His numerous works, such as choral songs, symphonies, and compositions for orchestra, make him one of the pioneers of music in Kosovo and one of the founders of the national style in Albanian music.
Mark Kaçinari, as a founder of artistic music in Kosovo, has had a significant influence on the cultural identity of the country. Following the path of innovation and talent, he has created a series of works inspired by Albanian musical folklore, but also with a suitable sense and treatment in the style of classical and romantic European music. His creativity, rich in folk elements and an original creative spirit, is part of Kosovo's musical heritage and has deeply influenced the development of choral and symphonic music in the region. Serving music with passion and dedication, Mark Kaçinari has left an important legacy for future generations of musicians in Kosovo.
Vinçenc Gjini (1935–2022), born in Ferizaj, was one of the first Kosovar composers to graduate from the Music Academy of Belgrade and held a master's degree in harmony. His wide-ranging opus includes three symphonies, ten cantatas, a sonata for violin and piano, as well as works of church music. His music is characterized by clarity and classical balance, with neo-romantic harmony and elements of Albanian folk melody. In 2000, he published the sacred work in two volumes, "Come, Let Us Sing to the Lord." Gjini was the first to compose a mass in the Albanian language and was distinguished as a highly qualified music professor.
Esat Rizvanolli (1936–2006) was one of the most distinguished Kosovar composers. He was born in Gjakova and studied at the music school in Prizren. He continued his studies at the Academy of Music in Belgrade and completed his studies at the PIT Tchaikovsky Conservatory in Moscow. Rizvanolli composed a series of works, including solo-chamber pieces such as “Prelude” and “String Quartet,” choral works like “To the Miners” and “In the Center of the Forehead,” as well as vocal-instrumental works like “The Word of Skanderbeg” and “Resistance 43.” He also composed symphonic music, including the "Concerto for Violin and Orchestra."
Fahri Beqiri, an honored figure in Kosovo's culture, has contributed to cultural and artistic societies as an artistic director and founder of music festivals. Born in 1936 in Mitrovica, he has been an educator at significant musical institutions in the country. In addition to his teaching and creative work, Beqiri has won numerous awards and recognitions at various music festivals and events. He has served as the artistic director for many of them and was one of the founders of song festivals in Kosovo, such as "Kosovo Chords" and "Kosovar Sings." His creations, rich in folk motifs, have received many awards and accolades.
Akil Koci, i lindur në Prizren më 1 shtator 1936, kreu shkollën fillore dhe të mesme muzikore në qytetin e lindjes. Në vitin 1958, u regjistrua në Akademinë Muzikore të Sarajevës dhe u diplomua në 1962. Pas studimeve, u emërua kryeredaktor i programit muzikor në Radio-Prishtinë. Ai vijoi specializimet në Akademinë Muzikore të Shkupit dhe në Konservatorin e Kelnit. Koci gjithashtu përfitoi bursën gjermane DAAD për studime në Stuttgart. Në vitet '60-'90, mori pjesë në konferenca ndërkombëtare, duke botuar mbi 250 artikuj, kritika dhe studime shkencore.
Zeqirja Ballata, born in Gjakova in 1943, is a contemporary composer with over 160 works. After graduating from the High School of Music in Prizren, he completed his studies and earned a master’s degree at the Academy of Music in Ljubljana and later specialized in Italy. His body of work includes piano, choral, chamber, and symphonic compositions, published and performed in various countries, such as Kosovo, Slovenia, Italy, Austria, and France. He has held solo concerts both domestically and internationally, also distinguishing himself as a pianist at international festivals.
Rauf Dhomi is a distinguished composer of operatic works and the founder of the national style of vocal-instrumental forms in Kosovo. Born in Gjakova in 1945, Dhomi is recognized as an important figure in the cultural life of the country. After completing his secondary music education in Prizren and studies at the Faculty of Musical Arts in Sarajevo, he became a teacher and later a professor at the Faculty of Musical Arts in Pristina. Dhomi is one of the founders of the Kosovo Composers' Association and has served as the director of the Kosovo Philharmonic. His body of work includes various pieces, ranging from opera and ballet to folk songs and compositions for choir and orchestra.
Rafet Rudi is a pioneer in Albanian art music, bringing a new and innovative spirit. Not only as a composer with his diverse body of work but also as a conductor, he has been responsible for raising the quality of the Kosovo Philharmonic Choir, enriching their repertoire, and striving to introduce the Kosovar audience to a new musical style. Born in Mitrovica, Rafet Rudi completed his music studies in Belgrade and later in Sarajevo and Paris, which helped develop his skills as a composer and conductor. His professional career has included work as a professor at the Faculty of Arts in Pristina and as the conductor of the Pristina Radio Television Choir. Additionally, he is the founder and director of the ReMusica Festival, an important event in the international music scene.
Mendi Mengjiqi, born in 1958 in Lupç i Epërm, Podujevë, is a distinguished Kosovar composer with an excellent career in the classical music scene. After completing his studies at the University of Pristina, he continued his academic studies in Krakow, Poland, where he graduated in composition under the mentorship of Professor Zbigniew Bujarski and later earned his master's degree under the guidance of Prof. Krzysztof Penderecki. Mengjiqi returned to Kosovo to serve as a professor at the Faculty of Arts at the University of Pristina, where he taught courses in composition, harmony, orchestration, and compositional technique. His career has been honored with numerous awards and prizes from international festivals and competitions. Mengjiqi's music represents a significant expression of cultural identity, making him the composer of the National Anthem of Kosovo.
Baki Jashari is a renowned composer and conductor in Kosovo's classical music scene. He was born in Pristina in 1960 and completed his secondary music studies in his hometown. He pursued higher music education in Ljubljana, Slovenia, where he graduated in 1981 under the tutelage of composer Uroš Rojko. After graduation, Jashari worked at Radio Television Pristina and later, between 1990-2000, lived and worked in Ljubljana as a music educator. In 2006, he became the director of the Kosovo Philharmonic, a position he held for 18 years. During this time, he played a pivotal role in the development and promotion of classical music in the country. Under his leadership, Jashari contributed to the advancement of the Philharmonic, helping bring it to European and global stages.
Valton Beqiri, born on March 15, 1967 in Mitrovica, is a well-known Kosovar composer. After finishing elementary school in Pristina, he continued his music studies at the University of Pristina "Hasan Prishtina", graduating in piano and composition. Beqiri is a professor at the University of Pristina, where he teaches polyphony, solfeggio and applied music. His works have been performed in many countries and by well-known ensembles such as Trio Klavis in Vienna, Klima quartet in Zagreb, and Sinfonietta of Kosovo. He has also had an important role in cultural institutions as Minister of Culture of the Republic of Kosovo and artistic director of the Kosovo Philharmonic-Opera.
Kreshnik Aliçkaj is a renowned composer and professor, born in Peja, Kosovo, who completed his education in Pristina. After finishing his studies in composition and obtaining a master’s degree at the University of Pristina under the guidance of Professor Mendi Mengjiqi, he now works as a professor at the Faculty of Arts at the University of Pristina "Hasan Prishtina". Aliçkaj has an extensive portfolio of works, including four symphonies, six concertos, a symphoniette, and a cantata titled "Mother Teresa", as well as several chamber works. He has won numerous national and some international awards. His compositions have been performed in various countries, including the Vatican, Izmir, Germany, Slovenia, Croatia, and Thailand. Some of the most notable performances of his works have been played by the Kosovo Philharmonic, the RTSH Orchestra in Tirana, and the symphonic orchestra in Thailand.
Donika Rudi (1982) is a composer specializing in acousmatic and electroacoustic music. She studied at the Geneva Conservatory of Music and further specialized in acousmatic music at the Royal Conservatory of Mons in Belgium. Her work spans acousmatic compositions, film music, dance, theater, and multimedia installations. Since 2010, she has served as the Artistic Director of the ReMusica Festival in Kosovo, and since 2022, she has been the Project Coordinator for EFFEA in the European Festivals Association. Rudi is a member of FEBEME-BEFEM and CEC, and her compositions have been performed internationally.
Born in 1984 in Drenas, Gashi completed his secondary music education in Prishtina and studied Composition and Orchestral Conducting at the Faculty of Arts at the University of Prishtina. He pursued postgraduate studies in Skopje and Darmstadt. As a composer, he has won international awards, and his works have been performed in various countries, including Albania, Italy, Germany, France, England, and South Korea. He has served as assistant conductor of the Kosovo Philharmonic Choir and is the founder and conductor of the Kosovo Youth Orchestra. Currently, he is the permanent conductor of the "Rexho Mulliqi" Chamber Orchestra and a guest conductor for the Jugendorchester in Switzerland. For his contributions, Gashi received a scholarship from the city of Darmstadt, Germany, where he resides and works.
Dafina Zeqiri Nushi (1984) is an award-winning composer known for her participation in competitions like Çesk Zadeja, Theodore Front Prize, and Chopin Fest. She has attended international festivals in the USA, Switzerland, Germany, the Netherlands, Israel, Sweden, Croatia, and many other countries. Additionally, she was a finalist in the international competition at the Women's Composer Festival in Hartford, Connecticut (USA). Her works have been performed in various countries, including England, New York, Germany, Austria, and Mexico. Composer Zeqiri-Nushi holds a Ph.D. in composition from New Bulgarian University and teaches at the University of Prishtina. She is a member of Neo Musica and other international music organizations.
Korab Shaqiri, born on July 23, 1986, is one of the prominent composers of the new generation in Kosovo. He completed his doctorate in Composition and Interpretation at "Kiril & Metodij" University in Skopje and earned his master's degree in Composition from the University of Arts in Tirana. Currently, he is an Assistant Professor at UBT College and an external collaborator at the University of Pristina. Shaqiri has published several scientific articles and participated in international conferences. His works have been performed at various festivals and concerts, including the acclaimed "Piano Concerto," which received the "Platinum Prize" at the World Master Music Competition 2024.
Drinor Zymberi, a composer born in Peja on July 17, 1987, is a significant figure in the Kosovar music scene. After completing high school in Prishtina, he continued his studies in Composition at the University of Prishtina "Hasan Prishtina" under the guidance of Prof. Mendi Mengjiqi. Composer Zymberi has created a rich repertoire for various orchestras and ensembles, which have been presented in numerous international venues and awarded with distinctions. His works, such as "Moving Landscape," "Trance," and "Refracted Lights," have been performed on prestigious stages around the world. As a Professor at the University of Prishtina, he teaches courses in composition and musical forms.
Prof. Assist. Ph.D. Liburn Jupolli is a composer, multi-instrumentalist, inventor, and researcher with over 20 years of experience. He has released 26 albums, performed internationally, and invented five musical instruments. Since 2006, he has composed for over 160 productions worldwide. Jupolli founded the Faculty of Modern Music at UBT, where he lectures on composition and electronic music. He also serves as a part-time lecturer at the University of Prishtina and is the founder of the IL-IR Foundation and publishing house "MAGMUS." In 2024, he was appointed Executive Director for Cultural Affairs by the Prime Minister of Kosovo.
In 2014, Syla completed his studies in composition, and in 2017, he graduated in conducting from the University of Prishtina. As a composer and conductor, he has performed in countries such as Kosovo, Albania, North Macedonia, Germany, France, and others, conducting various orchestras, including the Kosovo Philharmonic. In 2021, he held a successful concert with the Kosovo Philharmonic Vocal Ensemble, after which he received an invitation from the prestigious “Ohrid Summer” festival, where he received high praise. Syla has won several national and international awards and founded PrIVocalFest, the first vocal music festival in Kosovo. He is an assistant conductor at the Kosovo Philharmonic and a member of the Kosovo Security Force Wind Orchestra.
Anda Kryeziu is a composer, pianist, and intermedia artist from Gjakova, born in 1993. She received her early music education at "Prenk Jakova" school in Gjakova and Prishtina, and completed her higher education and master’s degree in Switzerland and Berlin. Her compositions have been performed in many countries worldwide and at prestigious festivals by some of the most renowned European ensembles. In 2023, she composed the opera Persona for the Basel Theater and Opera and has received numerous international awards and scholarships. Currently, she is a guest lecturer at the Hanns Eisler University in Berlin, specializing in instrumental, electroacoustic, and multimedia composition.
