Abdulla Grimci

Abdulla Grimci was born in a family of musicians on 02.07.1919, in Shkodër, Albania. He attended elementary school and high school in Shkodër. Following, he pursued university education in the Conservatory of "Santa Cecilia", in Rome, Italy from 1940-1944.

Biography

In 1935 he entered the musical band of Shkodër.

In 1937 he became part of the royal band.

In 1939 he entered the band of the Royal Guard band, Rome.

In 1941 he married Klementina Agostini.

In 1944 he returned from Rome to Albania.

In 1945 – 1946 he became the conductor of the musical band of Shkodër.

In 1949 he became the chief of the music office in the Committee of Arts and Culture.

In 1953 he was appointed chief of the music newsroom in Radio Tirana.

In 1964 he worked in the Central House of People' s Creativity

In 1949 organized the National Festival of folk music.

In 1950 he created the Orchestra of Albanian Philharmonic in Tirana.

In 1960-1962 he created the symphonic orchestra in Radio Tirana.

In 1962 he organized the first Festival of music in the Radio.^[1]

Musical works

He composed over 500 songs and 20 marches.

1. Potpourri with folk themes, 6 pieces.

2. Simple suites with local topics, 5 pieces.

3. Fantasies with folk topics, 5 pieces.

4. Partisan overture, 1968

5. “In front of the monument”, cyclical suite 1970

6. Concert suite,1971

7. “Big jubileus,” symphonic march, 1971

8. A theme with variation, 1972

9. Fantasy from the opera “Sons of Skenderbeu”, 1972

10. Opera overture, 1973

11. Cyclical suite with partisan themes, 1973

12. Albanian rhapsodies, 1974

Music for children 60 works (most popular ones)

1- Two flowers

2- First snow

3- Two school children

4- New Years's song

5- To our sea shore

6- New Year's waltz

7- The party's street- musical performance for children 1951

8- Come with us - musical performance for children

Soft music 50 songs and melodies (most popular ones)

1- The mail

2- First child

3- It is no dream or wonder

4- The accountant

5- My song is devoted to you

6- A letter

7- Handsome boy

8- You will come back

9- Don't forget about me

10- In the park

11- The bus

12- Letter

Chamber music

1- Lullaby- for women's chorus

2- Love me- romance for a soloist tenor

3- Waiting for you-romance for a soloist tenor

4- Two pieces for violin and piano (I.petrela and Lika Petrela)

5- One piece for cello and piano (solist Y. Skenderi in cello)

6- Strings quartet in sol major

Vocal orchestral and stage works

1- Light of the party – cantata 1955

2- Orchestral suite in 5 times 1956

3- Orchestral overture 1957

4- Music for the movie "Song of Rozafa" 1962

5- First symphony in Re Major 1962

6- Dance in piano and string orchestra 1969

7- Glory crown- cyclical cantata 1969

8- Symphonic poem 1975

9- Sons of Skenderbeu, opera in 2 acts

Scientific work

Abdulla Grimci has transcribed the entire aheng of Shkodra, 280 songs and melodies (Institute of Folclore in Tirana). He has transcribed 40 songs that were sung in Shkodra during 1920-1930.

Journalist work

1- He has published reviews and critics for concerts, operas, operettas etc.

2- He has written articles for music in newspapers and central magazines etc.

3- He has organized illustrated conferences with music in Radio Tirana etc.

4- He has organized illustrated conferences for various modern musical genres with workers, students, militaries, leaders etc.

Music teaching methods

1. Knowledge on musical forms 1966

2. Instruments and orchestrations for musical bands 1970

3. Method for trumpet Si bemol 1971

4. Song and its composition, a methodic material assisting young composers with high demands

5. Method for bastuba in Fa 1978

6. Method for bastuba in Mi bemol 1978

7. Method for bastuba in Si bemol 1979

8. Method for slide trumpet 1979

9. Method for Music Theory in two dances 1983

10. Method for flicorno soprano in Si bemol 1984

References