Blerim Grubi

Blerim Grubi

Started his first viola classes in his birthplace, where he went on to “Ilija Nikolovski Luj” music school. His mentor there was Prof. P. Nikolov. His further studies were at the Faculty of Music Arts in Skopje, where his mentor was Prof. L. Gospodinov. He graduated in 1989. He continued his postgraduate studies for viola at the same faculty, finishing in 1999. Except his postgraduate classes he also had a master class course in the Chigana Academy in Sienna, Italy in 1995 in Juri Basmet’s class. After finishing his studies, he started working in the Macedonian Philharmonic Orchestra. During the 80’s he was the leader of the viola group in the Orchestra of Youth Music Room in Skopje, which was conducted by A. Surev.

Blerim Grubi had many appearances as a soloist and member of all kinds of chamber music ensembles. In doing so, he was active in Macedonia’s cultural life. Some appearances that are worthwhile mentioning are: recitals in the “Days of Music” festival (in 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 2001 and 2003) and the FAM festival in Skopje in 1989. In the same year, Blerim Grubi was the representative from Macedonia in the young string instrument player’s meeting that took place (at the federal level, of ex-Yugoslavia) in Osijek at the “Franjo Krežman” concert. He took part in the concert dedicated to UNICEF in Skopje, with a recital. He also had two recitals in the “Summer of Skopje” and “Summer of Ohrid” international festivals.

During his study years, Grubi took part in the “Meetings of the Music Academies” in Ljubljana (in 1988 and 1989), in Sarajevo (in 1991) and in Prishtina (in 1990). He was also the member of the Skopje Trio, with which he had some concerts in Macedonia and Kosova during 1987 to 1989. In the beginning of the 90’s, Grubi had recitals in Skopje and Kumanovo. Soon after he began to have solo performances with the orchestra, one of the first being the solo concert with the Philharmonic Orchestra of Macedonia in 1994, conducted by Surev. In that year he had a solo concert with Tirana’s Symphony Orchestra of Opera and Ballet, conducted by E. Krantja. Around this time he concluded his postgraduate studies in Skopje, crowning them with a successful recital. At this time, Grubi started to perform chamber music with ensembles “Couperin” in Strasbourg (and four years later in Skopje) and performances in Skopje and Kumanovo with the Music Youth Quartet of Macedonia.

In 1996, Grubi had a solo concert with the Philharmonic Orchestra of the Youth of Macedonia, conducted by O. Balaburski.
In the second half of the 90’s, Blerim Grubi had appearances such as: “Këngë Jeho” festival in Struga (in 1997, 1998 and 1999), “Schubertiada” festival in Skopje (dedicated to Scubert’s 200th anniversary) in 1997, and another one dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the Faculty of Music in Skopje. He had a recital in the “Brahm’s evening” in 1997, as well as having some more recitals in Skopje and Tetovo a year later. In that year (1998) Grubi had a solo performance with the Students’ Symphony Orchestra in Skopje, which was conducted by S.Nikolovski.

1999 meant a special year in Grubi’s involvement in music (as it was for all other artists of that region) as culture life of the region was stabilized. During that time,Grubi had solo concerts with Tirana’s String Orchestra in Tetovo and Skopje, which were conducted by A. Leka, and another one in Prishtina, which was conducted by R.Tiseo.

During the last few years, Grubi had some solo concerts, among others with the Chamber music Philharmonic Orchestra (Skopje), conducted by B.Canev and String Orchestra of Kosova’s Philharmonic (Prishtina), conducted by Le Fi Fi. In Detmold (Germany) he had a concert with Detmold’s Chamber music Ensemble and soloist E.Fischer. This year he performed as a soloist with Macedonia’s Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by B.Canev. In the “Days of Music of Macedonia” he had another solo performance with the Philharmonic Orchestra, which was conducted by C. Van Alphen. He also had two solo concerts this year: in Skopje with the “United” Philharmony, conducted by A.Leka and in Prishtina with Kosova’s Philharmony conducted by B.Lapi.

Blerim Grubi took part in important music activities in Kosova, especially after 1999, when the cultural life took off. In cooperation with S.Badivuku, M.Kaçamaku and V.Kajtazi he founded “Vivendi” ensemble, with which they had many concerts. Some particular ones are: the concert in the “Bach’s Week” in Prishtina (1999), “Platforma X Kosova” festival in Barcelona (2000), “Muzifest” contemporary music festival in Ljubljana (2000) etc. This ensemble took part in every international chamber music festival in Prishtina, which is held since 2000. During these concerts, Grubi worked with some outstanding musicians such as: Pavel Vernikov, Boris Previsic, Kevin Kenner, Roland Xhoxhi, Lejla Haxhiu-Pula, Xhevdet Sahatçiu, Arian Paqo, Antonio Gashi and Aristidh Prosi.

He is also a member of the Kosova’s “String Trio”, one of the founders of Kosova’s Philharmonic Orchestra and board member of the ArsKosova foundation- a foundation that promotes new talents and organizes musical activities in the country. Blerim Grubi is member of the “International Chamber music Festival in Prishtina” committee, founder of the Albanian Music and Ballet Artists’ Society in Macedonia as well as founder & president of the Multi Kulti festival in Skopje.

The latest performances of Mr. Grubi include the Mozart’s Simfonia concertante (together with violinist Ols Cinxo, Ermir Krantja conducting the Macedonia Philharmonics). Blerim Grubi is also the co-founder and member of the Committee for the scholarships for Albanian students in Macedonia.

“Blerim Grubi … an excellent musician having all the positive musical elements like musicality, high level of technique, cultivated sound, concentration, musical stamina and solo performance that he has no difficulty performing.”
Vlado Cuckov, Vecer newspaper Skopje, 1994