Available for the first time in America on audiocassette, and only from Frosina, are classical music compositions by two of Albania's leading composers -- Thoma Gaqi and Tonin Harapi.

Poem Simfonik Borova by Thoma Gaqi (Side 1) Before WWII, The Albanian town of Borova had about 450 inhabitants and 100 houses, stores, and churches.. However, on July 6, 1943, all of the buildings were destroyed by Nazi German occupiers of Albania, and 107 inhabitants were massacred including 5 entire families. The youngest victim was an infant of only 4 months, the oldest - a woman of 73. The tragic events are commemorated in the symphony titled "Poem Simfonik Borova" by Albanian composer, Thoma Gaqi, who was born in Korça in southern Albania on August 21, 1948. He graduated in composition from the "Academy of Fine Arts" in Tirana where he studied under the direction of Albania's foremost composer, Çesk Zadeja. Gaqi's first composition was a concert for violin and orchestra. Along with the symphonic poen "Borova", he composed the orchestral rhapsody "Albania Celebrating." An enthusiastic supporter of Albanion folk music, he also composed works for violin, violoncello, two orchestral rhapsodies and symphonic dances. Gaqi is currently Professor of Harmony at the Academy of Fine Arts in Tirana.

Suite for String Orchestra #2 by Tonin Harapi (Side 2) A composer of soaring and lyrical classical music which invites comparison with other European and American composers, Tonin Harapi was born on June 4, 1928 in Shkodra in northern Albania where he began his musical career. He graduated from the Moscow Conservatory of Composition in 1958, and, in 1960, created several important works including "Oratorio" and "The Song of the Mountains". Harapi also composed works for string quartet and piano, along with various sonatas, concertos, symphonic poems, and elaborations of typical Albanian folksongs and dances. He is especially noted for his opera "The Awakeing" and for music and songs for children. Harapi died in 1993 leaving behind a rich legacy of Albanian classical music,

If you would like to receive the Van Christo/Frosina audiocassette of Poem Simfonik Borova by Thoma Gaqi including the Suite for String Orchestra #2 by Tonin Harapi, please return the form below with your donation of $20.00 plus $2.50 P&H or more to the Frosina Information Network.

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