Thoma Gaqi
 | This article appears to have been generated by a large language model (such as ChatGPT) without having been rigorously scrutinized for verifiability, neutrality, original research, and copyright compliance. It may include misleading or inaccurate claims and fake references that sound plausible. The reason given is: Wikipedia:AI noticeboard#User:Matete Plays (August 2026) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) |
| Thoma Gaqi | |
|---|---|
| Born | 21 August 1948 Korçë, Albania |
| 💼 Occupation |
|
| 📆 Years active | 1972–present |
| 🏅 Awards |
|
Thoma Gaqi (born 21 August 1948) is an Albanian composer and music educator. A student of Çesk Zadeja, he has written orchestral, instrumental, chamber, vocal-symphonic, stage and film music, and has taught harmony and composition at the University of Arts, Tirana.[1][2]
Early life and education
Gaqi was born in Korçë in 1948.[3] He received his first musical education in his native city before continuing violin and music theory studies at the Jordan Misja Artistic Lyceum in Tirana.[1] In 1966, he began higher studies in composition in the class of composer Çesk Zadeja at the Tirana Conservatory, later the Academy of Arts and now the University of Arts, Tirana. He completed his studies in 1972.[1][2]
Career
After graduation, Gaqi joined the faculty of the Tirana Conservatory as a teacher of harmony.[2] From 1979 to 1983, he served as artistic director of the National Theatre of Opera and Ballet of Albania. He later returned to the Academy of Arts as professor of harmony and composition, and became head of its composition department in 1988.[2]
In 1992, Gaqi moved to Korçë, where he became director of the Tefta Tashko-Koço music school. He returned to the Academy of Arts in Tirana in 1996 as a composition teacher.[2] His teaching work has been credited with contributing to the formation of later Albanian composers, including Endri Sina, Fatos Lumani and Gerti Druga.[1]
Music
Gaqi's output includes piano works, concertos, orchestral works, vocal-symphonic works, chamber music and film music.[1] Albanian traditional music has been described as an important element in his work, with musicologist Albert Paparisto noting that folk music in Gaqi's compositions is sometimes recreated and sometimes directly quoted.[1]
One of his early works, the symphonic poem Borova, was written in 1972 as his diploma work and was inspired by the Borovë massacre.[1] Academic writing on Albanian music has discussed Borova as part of the development of the symphonic poem genre in Albanian cultivated music.[4]
Selected works
Orchestral and instrumental works
- Borova, symphonic poem
- Rhapsody No. 1
- Rhapsody No. 2
- Symphonic Dance No. 1
- Symphonic Dance No. 2
- Symphonic Dance No. 3
- Concerto for string orchestra
- Concerto for violin and orchestra
- Concert-poem for violin and orchestra
- Concerto for violoncello and orchestra
- Rhapsody-concerto for violin, violoncello and orchestra
- Suite for piano
- Variations for piano on two themes[1]
The digital archive of the University of Arts, Tirana lists several recordings and materials by Gaqi, including Borova, Concerto for violin and orchestra, Concerto for violoncello, Concerto for strings, Rhapsody-concerto for violin, violoncello and orchestra, and his harmony textbook Harmonia – Pjesa II.[5]
Film music
Gaqi composed music for Albanian feature films, including:
- Përballimi (1976), directed by Viktor Gjika[6]
- Vjeshtë e nxehtë e '41 (1985), directed by Albert Xholi and Eduart Makri[7]
Honours
In 1984, Gaqi received the Albanian title Merited Artist.[2][3] In 2018, the University of Arts, Tirana awarded him the title Professor Emeritus during a concert and ceremony marking his 70th birthday.[1][2] In 2022, the Albanian government approved a special state pension for Gaqi and several other cultural, artistic and sports figures.[8]
Personal life
Gaqi married musicologist Irisha Skendi in 1973. Their sons, Pirron and Gjergjin Gaqi, are pianists.[1]
Further reading
- Leotsakos, George (2001). "Gaqi, Thoma". In Sadie, Stanley; Tyrrell, John. The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians. London: Macmillan.
- Xhani, Jusiald (2011). Thoma Gaqi – Jeta dhe Vepra (Thesis) (in shqip). University of Arts, Tirana.
References
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 Kumbe, Meri (7 February 2019). "Thoma Gaqi në 70-vjetorin e lindjes". Gazeta Shqiptare (in shqip). Retrieved 22 June 2026.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 "Thoma Gaqi". George Ștephănescu International Composition Competition. Retrieved 22 June 2026.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Profile of composer Thoma Gaqi!". Albanian Cinematography. 20 August 2021. Retrieved 22 June 2026.
- ↑ Kapxhiu, Armira (2016). "A folkloric journey in the work of two Albanian composers (Prenk Jakova, Thoma Gaqi)" (PDF). Academic Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies. 5 (1): 140–145. Retrieved 22 June 2026.
- ↑ "Duke shfletuar Fakulteti i Muzikes sipas Autorit "Gaqi, Thoma"". University of Arts, Tirana Digital Archive (in shqip). Retrieved 22 June 2026.
- ↑ "Përballimi". Arkivi Qendror Shtetëror i Filmit (in shqip). Retrieved 22 June 2026.
- ↑ "Vjeshtë e nxehtë e 41-it". Arkivi Qendror Shtetëror i Filmit (in shqip). Retrieved 22 June 2026.
- ↑ "Govt Approves Special Pension to 15 Personalities". Albanian Daily News. 1 January 2022. Retrieved 22 June 2026.
External links
- Thoma Gaqi at the University of Arts, Tirana Digital Archive
- Thoma Gaqi at the Albanian National Film Archive
This article "Thoma Gaqi" is from Wikipedia. The list of its authors can be seen in its historical and/or the page Edithistory:Thoma Gaqi. Articles copied from Draft Namespace on Wikipedia could be seen on the Draft Namespace of Wikipedia and not main one.
