As part of launching their 4th studio album "Dallëndyshe" the Elina Duni Quartet have fittingly embarked on a Balkan tour, starting with Tirana, Albania. On the 14th and 15th of September the Albanian-born, Swiss-raised singer enchanted audiences in two sold out shows.
“In the lyrics and vocals of this music we find the Albanian element: passion, pain, depth, and contrast. But we also find the Swiss element: precision, technical proficiency and smoothness”, said Swiss Ambassador in Tirana Christoph Graf just before the opening of the first night’s concert. “Musical expression connects us all regardless of geography or country. In the world of art and creativity national differences cease to be strict and rigid”, said Ambassador Graf.
Both performances showcased songs from the new album "Dallëndyshe" which is inspired by themes such exile and love. These are traditional Albanian folk songs reworked and reimagined through a contemporary, jazz framework. The quartet has attracted much attention in jazz circles throughout Europe and the UK and now its establishing a name also in the Balkan music scene.
Apart from the singer Elina Duni, the quartet features three other Swiss musicians who display excellent skills in blending the folk material with modal jazz and improvisations.
The tour is also part of the Swiss Music Days 2015, a festival that promotes musical exchanges between Switzerland, the former Yugoslav countries, and Albania. After Tirana, the Elina Duni Quartet will perform in Skopje, Prishtina, and finally Belgrade.
The Embassy of Switzerland in Albania supported the two concerts held in Tirana as part of its efforts in creating cultural bridges between the two countries.
