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As war engulfed ex-Yugoslavia, many musicians fled Bosnia. An ages-old inter-cultural heritage was nearly destroyed. In 2005, the Sarajevo Music Academy called on Musicians without Borders to help renew that heritage by supporting wind music education throughout Bosnia-Herzegovina. Specifically, the Academy stressed the need for advanced education in oboe and saxophone.
The “Winds of Change’s” appearance in a “Balkan Wedding” continued the special musical relationship with the NBE that started in 2005. Long Journey, A Wonderful PerformanceA twenty-four hour bus ride is not anybody’s idea of fun. But to the members of the Winds of Change – the first all-Bosnian wind ensemble – it was worth the trek. The ensemble left Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina on Saturday, May 17 and arrived in Heemstede late the following day. They were here to rehearse, take master classes and perform in the Concertgebouw with the NBE, play another concert in the Vest Theater in Alkmaar, and, of course, tour a bit of Amsterdam.
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“Balkan Wedding” was aptly named – three couples were actually married during the course of the evening by Job Cohen, Amsterdam’s Mayor. Winds of Change members were excited to be playing alongside one of the best wind ensembles in the world – especially in such a festive and joyful concert. Winds of Change performed alone as well as with the NBE. Winds of Change soloists earned enthusiastic applause. For video, see YouTube. On the following evening, the Winds of Change performed again. This time, the gave a full concert in Alkmaar featuring music from their Sarajevo tour entitled “From Paris to Skopje.” The week ended with a day to enjoy Amsterdam. The group departed the following morning – exhausted but happy after a week of music-making. With funding provided through Musicians without Borders, this journey by the Winds of Change showcased the successful revival of the cross-cultural synergy that once was a hallmark of musical life in Bosnia-Herzegovina. It also encouraged and motivated the young ensemble members to ever higher levels of performance. Exposed to a world they have never experienced, these young people came to see themselves as “world citizens” and they brought some of that world back to Sarajevo, bringing also new energy to a classical music culture that, since the war, has remained depleted and quite isolated. A Recognized Player in the Balkan Music SceneIn November, 2008, the Winds of Change presented their “Triangle Tour”, visiting Trebinje in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Podgorica in Montenegro and Drubrovnik in Croatia. These concerts explored and celebrated the music, instruments and dance of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, and Croatia. Traditional melodies, singing, and dance from the region were included along with international compositions and audio-visual elements. The Triangle Tour brought together and united the audiences of ex-Yugoslavia. By combining cultural elements from three countries, the program demonstrated how closely similar all the people of the Balkans really are. With the Triangle Tour, the Winds of Change has become a recognized regular in the Balkan music scene. Offers to perform outside ex-Yugoslavia (Switzerland, UK) are also coming in. Musicians without Borders is proud to have this exciting, excellent, exuberant ambassador representing our mission.
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