A Fascinating Video of a Bruckner Symphony from Albania

click to expand
Gilberto Serembe
A few days ago, a fascinating video appeared on YouTube. While the technical quality of the video leaves much to be desired, it is the event itself that catches one's attention.

The video (taken from a VHS tape) is a concert recording by the RTSH Symphony Orchestra (Radio Televizioni Shqiptar) of a performance given in Tirana, Albania in January of 1994. The conductor for this concert was Gilberto Serembe.

Mr. Serembe wrote the following statement to accompany the video:

FROM A DUSTY ARCHIVE:
A miracle after the revolution in 1992. This orchestra was unable to perform many composers and religious music was forbidden by the communist regime. This is the result after passionate work by these wonderful players. Despite the limited ability of the orchestra, all the players tried their best to give life to this magnificent work which had never been performed before. One of the most remarkable memories I have had.


Gilberto Serembe is a Professor of Conducting and Conductor of the orchestra of the Conservatorio "Luca Marenzio" of Brescia. From 1988 to 2010 he was Professor of Conducting at the International Superior Courses of the Accademia Musicale Pescarese and from 2010 to 2012 at the Accademia Italiana per la Direzione d'Orchestra in Faenza of which he was the Principal Teacher. He has also held Masterclasses in Valencia, Spain. From January 2013 he is teaching at the "Italian Conducting Academy" in Milano, a school which works in close collaboration with the ABRSM The Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music.

Mr. Serembe has kindly furnished the Bruckner Archive with a direct copy of this VHS transfer.

To watch the YouTube video, click here.