Thoma Gaqi, a composer and People’s Artist, was born in Korça. After completing his violin studies at the “Jordan Misja” Artistic High School in 1966, he pursued higher musical studies in composition at the Higher Institute of Arts, where he graduated in 1972 and began working as a teacher immediately thereafter. From 1979 to 1983, he served as the artistic director of the Opera and Ballet Theatre. His recognition among the Albanian public began with the symphonic poem “Borova” in 1972, followed by a series of large instrumental and symphonic works that established him as one of the important representatives of the second generation of professional Albanian composers. A multiple winner of first prizes at the May Concerts, he was awarded the “Republic Award” in 1979 for his Rhapsody-Concerto for Violin, Cello, and Orchestra, and in 1989, he received the “Tefta Tashko” award for the best work of the year with his Symphony No. 1. Among his other notable creations are the Poem Concerto for Violin and Orchestra (1976), Concerto for Cello and Orchestra (1979), and Symphonic Dance No. 2. In 1999, he was honored with the title “Professor.” (In the photo: Thoma Gaqi)
Text: Zata Shuteriqi
Photo: © https://www.stephanescu-arephy.com/en/contest/thoma-gaqi-en/
Graphic processing: AHCF
