Credits
Written by
Stella Floras
Published
27/Mar 2007 at 20:16
Source(s)
Special
© Fadil Berisha
Frederik Ndoci speaks to esctoday.com
The popular Albanian artist, who sings in 6 languages, spoke to Altin Hazizaj exclusively for esctoday.com. Read on to find out more about Frederik, Hear my plea and Frederik and Aida's immediate plans.
Hi Fredrik. Welcome back to Albania!
No need to say that. Albania is my home country and although I've been living abroad for some years now, I always come back here. I consider Albania as my home, and my song for The Eurovision Song Contest is about that as well.
How did you come up with the idea for the song?
Last year I came back to my old house in Tirana. As I walked through the garden I found this stone which had a special meaning to me. When I left Albania in 1991, I took this stone and engraved a cross into it. After that I threw it away, so it could bring me luck. When I found it back, the stone became like a little gem to me: it reminded me of my life in Albania and my life nowadays. A couple of days later I met an old friend. He wanted us to write a song together. The literal translation of the Albanian version is Ballad of the stone. The official English title became Hear my plea. The song reflects my memories of the stone. Nowadays it's become very normal to move from one country to another, but there's always a place called Home. It's the place we miss, love and dream about.
No need to say that. Albania is my home country and although I've been living abroad for some years now, I always come back here. I consider Albania as my home, and my song for The Eurovision Song Contest is about that as well.
How did you come up with the idea for the song?
Last year I came back to my old house in Tirana. As I walked through the garden I found this stone which had a special meaning to me. When I left Albania in 1991, I took this stone and engraved a cross into it. After that I threw it away, so it could bring me luck. When I found it back, the stone became like a little gem to me: it reminded me of my life in Albania and my life nowadays. A couple of days later I met an old friend. He wanted us to write a song together. The literal translation of the Albanian version is Ballad of the stone. The official English title became Hear my plea. The song reflects my memories of the stone. Nowadays it's become very normal to move from one country to another, but there's always a place called Home. It's the place we miss, love and dream about.
Let's get back to your artistic career. How did it all get started?
As a young child I won the Shkodra Festival twice (Albanian Song Contest for children). I also played the oboe in the Shodra Orchestra. When I grew older, I moved to Tirana to study drama at Tirana School of Arts. I played in 6 movies and in 1 of them I had to sing as well. A few months later I was asked to sing at the Spring Festival which I won. One year later I won the Festivali i Kenges as well.
So this is the second time you won the Festivali i Kenges?
Yes. The first time I was singing with Manjola Nallbani and my sister Juli. This year I sang with my wife, Aida. it seems that I have to sing with a relative to win a festival!
As a young child I won the Shkodra Festival twice (Albanian Song Contest for children). I also played the oboe in the Shodra Orchestra. When I grew older, I moved to Tirana to study drama at Tirana School of Arts. I played in 6 movies and in 1 of them I had to sing as well. A few months later I was asked to sing at the Spring Festival which I won. One year later I won the Festivali i Kenges as well.
So this is the second time you won the Festivali i Kenges?
Yes. The first time I was singing with Manjola Nallbani and my sister Juli. This year I sang with my wife, Aida. it seems that I have to sing with a relative to win a festival!
What have you been doing after you left Albania in 1991?
Well, I went to Italy and joined a band there. We recorded 3 albums and performed practically all over Europe. Then, in 1996 I wanted to explore another part of the world and that's why I moved to Califonia. I also started to do gospel music there, which was something completely new for me. Two years later I moved to new York, where I continued my music career. Now I can say that my heart belongs to European music. I love to sing in Italian, Spanish, Greek, Celtic and Albanian of course. My latest album is called Canterina and contains 17 songs in six languages.
How do you feel about participating at the Eurovision Song Contest?
Until so far, it has been wonderful. I have received hundreds of e-mails from fans of the song from all over the world. I believe that the Eurovision Song Contest is an event which brings people together and it shows that music doesn't have any borders at all. There's nothing like this show in the world and I'm enjoying every bit of it.
Why did you choose to sing in English in Helsinki?
That was a big dilemma. I love the Albanian language. Of course it's my mother tongue, but besides that it's also a very sweet language to sing in. However, I also want my song to be understood by the rest of Europe. My song has a global message, so we wanted it to be understandable for everybody.
Well, I went to Italy and joined a band there. We recorded 3 albums and performed practically all over Europe. Then, in 1996 I wanted to explore another part of the world and that's why I moved to Califonia. I also started to do gospel music there, which was something completely new for me. Two years later I moved to new York, where I continued my music career. Now I can say that my heart belongs to European music. I love to sing in Italian, Spanish, Greek, Celtic and Albanian of course. My latest album is called Canterina and contains 17 songs in six languages.
How do you feel about participating at the Eurovision Song Contest?
Until so far, it has been wonderful. I have received hundreds of e-mails from fans of the song from all over the world. I believe that the Eurovision Song Contest is an event which brings people together and it shows that music doesn't have any borders at all. There's nothing like this show in the world and I'm enjoying every bit of it.
Why did you choose to sing in English in Helsinki?
That was a big dilemma. I love the Albanian language. Of course it's my mother tongue, but besides that it's also a very sweet language to sing in. However, I also want my song to be understood by the rest of Europe. My song has a global message, so we wanted it to be understandable for everybody.
I guess you have heard some of the other songs already. Do you have any personal favourites?
Well, my favourite is Hear my plea of course (Fredrik laughs). No, I'm kidding. I have heard a couple of songs so far and I really like the Netherlands, Spain , France and FYR Macedonia. I still have to listen to a lot of songs, but every song has a special dimension, as they bring the soul and life of their countries to the Eurovision Songcontest stage.
What can we expect from you in Helsinki? And how about your plans after the Eurovision Song Contest?
At the moment we're preparing the final stage performance. On stage there will be three backing singers, a violin player, Aida and me. One of these days we'll have to decide what clothes to wear as well. However, the show itself will be pure and simple. As we will perform a simple and emotional ballad, I want my message to be understood; that's my main goal.
We'll also give a concert in Helsinki on April 28 and we're planning an Albanian party a couple of days before the Eurovision Song Contest. After the contest I'm going to start my foundation, The image of Albania. I want to support young people in Albania who don't have the financial possibilities to develop their participation in arts, sport events and competitions; including the Eurovision Song Contest!
With many thanks to Altin Hazizaj
Well, my favourite is Hear my plea of course (Fredrik laughs). No, I'm kidding. I have heard a couple of songs so far and I really like the Netherlands, Spain , France and FYR Macedonia. I still have to listen to a lot of songs, but every song has a special dimension, as they bring the soul and life of their countries to the Eurovision Songcontest stage.
What can we expect from you in Helsinki? And how about your plans after the Eurovision Song Contest?
At the moment we're preparing the final stage performance. On stage there will be three backing singers, a violin player, Aida and me. One of these days we'll have to decide what clothes to wear as well. However, the show itself will be pure and simple. As we will perform a simple and emotional ballad, I want my message to be understood; that's my main goal.
We'll also give a concert in Helsinki on April 28 and we're planning an Albanian party a couple of days before the Eurovision Song Contest. After the contest I'm going to start my foundation, The image of Albania. I want to support young people in Albania who don't have the financial possibilities to develop their participation in arts, sport events and competitions; including the Eurovision Song Contest!
With many thanks to Altin Hazizaj
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Good news he will support young artists in Albania. I loved his song at FIK45 ‘Ah jetë, oh jetë’ sang by Herciana Matmuja.
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@ Rougemont D'Castile
I couldn't agree more with you! What a beautiful piece of music. The original (long) version in Albanian was so touching, smooth and fragile and yet so powerful and strong! Since this song will - I hate myself for saying so!! - most probably not qualify for the final, why not just sticking to the original language! Sometimes in life you understand things, without understanding anything...(well, I guess, you know what I mean)!
In any way: Albania you have a real great song this year around, and I'm glad you're with us!
Tue 27 Mar 2007 22:02:13
I love this beautiful song very much !!! Good Luck Albania !!!!
I love this song, but I do wish he'd kept it in Albanian. as he says the langauge is very sweet. It's lost something of it's magic perhaps, but it's still a good song.
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