Audio

Albania

Outside Albania there were not much albums with Albanian music available before the regime change at the end of 1990. In the fifties there were released one 7 inch album issued by Le Chant du Monde. and a Supraphon 17 inch album (Supraphon SUEP 537) and some tracks on two Balkanton albums. Supraphon and Balkanton pressed the records for the Albanian label(s). On the Supraphon album tracks were all cut off after about one and a half minute.

As in many communist countries the state record companies had strong ties with, if not were part of, the radio stations. This was also the case with the Albanian labels Butrint, Plakke Shqipetare, etc. During the seventies all the labels were consolidated in one label: Artexport. These were all pressed in China. The front sides were generic with folkloristic pictures. The back sides gave track information in both Albanian and French language. These albums where sporadically exported and sold in hotels for the few Western tourists who visited Albania.

But in the sixties and seventies more albums were released:

  • Important for the knowledge about the then Albanian musical tradition and practice was an LP album with fieldwork by A. L. Lloyd who visited Albania in 1966 (Topic 12T154), in 1994 reissued on CD (Topic TSCD 904).
  • In 1979 Disques Marcel Cellier published an album with recordings from the folklore festival in Gjirokastra (Disques Marcel Cellier INT 147.602). Later in 1995 resissued on CD by Pierre Verany (Pierre Verany PV 750010).
  • Around 1975 two albums by Disques Vendémiaire. One with a survey of traditional musical instruments (VDE 114) and one with songs (V 50). The first one is very interesting and here on the site, the second one has a number of "communist party songs".

A lot of CD's came out after 1990, and more special CD's with recordings from before the Second World War. A number of these last ones:

  • Village Music of Albania, CD, Heritage HT CD 40, edited by Benno Häupl and Paul Vernon
  • Voreia Iperos (Northern Epirus), CD, IOFA 03 (under the guidance of the Dora Stratou Dance Theater) with music from Epirus and Southern Albania
  • Music of the Balkans Vol. I, CD, FM Records FM 706, with ten Albanian tracks
  • Don't Trust Your Neighbors, LP, Hinter Records HINTER-L-001, edited by Chris King
  • Songbirds, 4 x CD, JSP Records JSP77216, also edited by Chis King, which will be available around April/June 2020

We publish here on our site the content of the Balkanton, Supraphone, Artexport and one Disques Vendémiaire albums, which are not very easy to obtain.

Artexport issued a couple of 10 inch albums, but most are 7 inch. The albums we have in our collection are on this page.
A warning is appropriate here. We skipped the newly composed "communist party music". Sometimes there is "communist party" in the song content, new text on old traditional melodies (kange i ri). We included these here because of the quality of the music. So sometimes you will hear something like: "partija", "Enver Hoxha", "brigada", etc. In this case it is interesting to mention that we bought a CD in Tirana in 2015, full of songs praising Enver Hoxha.

Some curious and funny facts about albums with Albanian music
Request Records

Request Records was an American company that issued a lot of albums with traditional music, which they bought from other companies. For the former Yugoslav republic they bought their stuff from RTB-PGP (Produkcija Gramofonskih Ploča Radio Televizije Beograd), the commercial recording part of the Belgrade Radio. Request published somewhere in the seventies an album with the title: "Songs And Dance Of Albania - Kängät Dhe Vallet E Shqiperice" which consisted of a compilation of three earlier issued 7 inch albums RTB EP 16241, RTB EP 16242 and RTB EP 16430 which were issued in 1965 and 1968. On the sleeve of the Request album is printed: "Recorded in Albania" and as performers soloists and orchestra of Radio Priština. As far as we know, Priština was at that time the capital of the autonomous province Kosovo, part of the Yugoslav republic.

Photo Photo Photo

The Request album

Photo Photo Photo

The original RTB albums

Philips Records

During the fifties of the last century Philips issued a serie of 7 inch albums under the title "Song and Sound the World Around". One of these (Philips 427 001 NE) was dedicated to Albania. At least that was printed on the cover. But that was not true. The recordings were most likely made in Macedonia. One of the performers (Nexhmije Pagarusha) also appears on an other album in this serie "Macedonia Volume 2" (Philips 427 010 NE). Closer examination of the picture on the album sleeve and text on the back side leads to the following conclusion: as is the case with the Request album, this is misinformation. The facts:

  • The bridge is situated in Prizren, Kosovo.
  • The women on the bridge are Aromunians, given their costumes.
  • The Albanski Trio actually performed under the name Zajazi brothers and were living in Skopje.
  • The singer Nexhmije Pagarusha, born in Kosovo, educated in Belgrade and sang not only folk songs but also in classical repertoire.
Photo Photo
Disques Marcel Cellier/Pierre Verany

As already written above Disques Marcel Cellier published an album with recordings from the folklore festival in Gjirokastra in 1979 (Disques Marcel Cellier INT 147.602), in 1995 resissued on CD by Pierre Verany (Pierre Verany PV 750010). The CD had some additional tracks, but missed track 4 from side A of the original LP album. That was a song in which Enver Hoxha was highly praised. Perhaps to leftish for the Pierre Verany label.

Supraphon and Balkanton

Album cover

Balkanton 403, side A, track 3 and Balkanton BHK 2734

1. How the moon is riesing
Bajram Spaxija
2. Your eyes are like black grapes
N. Hoxha, K. Kartusa, ork. Simon Gjoni
3. OJ Bakuse
L. Miloti, I Tukici, ork. Simon Gjoni

Album cover

Supraphon SUEP 537, tracks are cut off.

SIDE A
1. Dance from Berat
2. There’s nothing lovier than spring
3. Green fields
4. The song of Meta
 B. Ndoja, F. Gjeloshi, L. Miloti and
 X. Zyberi (vocalists) folk endsembles

SIDE B
1. C. Topuli's song
2. Friends, I want to tell you something
3. A mountain song
4. Dance from Golecan
X. Zyberi (vocalist), folk ensembles

Artexport - Import Records 7 inch

If a song is on multiple albums we leave them both, because the quality of the recordings is not always optimal. Albums AXM 001, AXM 003 and AXM 004 are from the collection of Hugo Strötbaum.

Album cover

Artexport AXM 001

FAQJA I
1. O Borzilok
Këndon grupi popullor i Përmctit
2. Moj e vogël si floriri
Këndon Marije Kraja
FAQJA II
1. Më dërgoj babai me shqerra
Këndon Ajete Brahimi
2. S’ka ma të bukur se pranvera
Këndojnë File Gjeloshi e Bik Ndoja

FACE I
1. O Basilic
Interprété par le groupe populaire de Përmet
2. A ma mie au coeur d’or
Interprété par Marije Kraja
FACE II
1. Papa m’a envoyée garder les agneaux
Interprété par Ajete Brahimi
2. Le printemps est plus beau que tout
Interprété par File Gjeloshi et Bik Ndoja

Album cover

Artexport AXM 003

FAQJA I
1. Kënga e Kalasë së Shkodrës
Këndon Bik Ndoja
2. Valle Nr. 3 e Tiranës
Luajnë sazet e Shtëpisë së kulturës Tiranë
FAQJA II
1. Shpend ma i par i bukurisë
Këndon Luçije Miloti
2. Valle e Shpalit
Luan orkestra e Ansamblit të këngëve e valleve

FACE I
1. Le chant de la citadelle de Shkodër
Interprète par Bik Ndoja
2. Danse No 3 de Tirana
Exécutée par l'orchestre populaire de la Maison de la Culture de Tirana
FACE 11
1. Le plus splendide des oiseaux
Interprété par Luçije Miloti
2. Danse de Shpal
Exécutée par l'orchestre de ï’Ensemble de chants et de danses

Album cover

Artexport AXM 004

Performers unknown, sleeve is missing

FAQJA I
1. Ç’po i bjen çobani fyellit
2. Potpuri vallesh të Kukësit
FAQJA II
1. Valle Dardhare

Album cover

Artexport AS 010

FAQJA I
01 Kënga e Llesh Palit
Këndon Nurije Gjurkaj
FAQJA II
01 Kënga e Niko Hoxhës
Këndon Grupi lab

FACE I
01 Chant de Llesh Pali
Exécuté par Nurije Gjurkaj
FACE II
02 Chant de Niko Hoxha
Interprété par le groupe de choristes de Lab

Album cover

Artexport AS 018

FAQJA II
1. Trëndelinë — Popullore
Këndon Vaçe Zela Shoqëron orkestrina e Ansamblit të këngëve e valleve
2. Tash sa ditë e mot
Këndon Bik Ndoja Shoqëron orkestrina e Shkodrës

FACE II
1. Chanson populaire: Trendeline
Interprété par Vaçe Zela, accompagnée par l’orchestre de l’Ensemble de chants et de danses
2. Il y a déjà tant d’années
Interprété par Bik Ndoja, accompagné par l’orchestre de Shkodër

Album cover

Artexport AS 019

FAQJA I
1. Bishtalecat palë palë
Këndon Luçije Miloti Shoqëron orkestrina e Radios
2. Unë ngas qetë e ti hedh farë
Këndon grupi i Shqipërisë së mesme
FAQJA II
1. Martaneshin s’un e shtroj
Këndon Fitnete Rexha
2. Kënga e Bajram Currit
Këndon Fitnete Rexha

FACE I 1. Les nattes joliment tressées
Interprété par Luçija Miloti, accompagné par le petit orchestre de la Radio
2. Je conduis la charrue et tu sèmes la graine
Interprété par un groupe de choristes de l’Albanie centrale
FACE II
1. Il ne put soumettre Martanesh
Interprété par Fitnete Rexha
2. Le chant de Bajram Curri
Interprété par Fitnete Rexha

Album cover

Artexport AS 021

FAQJA I
1. O Tomor, o mal i lartë
Këndon grupi i Skraparit
2. Liqeni i Ulzës
Këndon Feride Kurti
FAQJA II
1. Kënga e Llesh Palit
Këndon Nurije Gjurkaj
2. Martaneshin s’un e shtroj
Këndon Fitnete Rexha

FACE I
1. Ô Tomor, ô mont superbe
Interprété par le groupe de choristes de Skrapar
2. Le lac d’Ulzë
Interprété par Feride Kurti
FACE II
1. Le chant de Llesh Palit
Interprété par Nurije Gjurkaj
2. Il ne put soumettre Martanesh
Interprété par Fitnete Rexha

Album cover

Artexport AS 022

FAQJA I
01 Kënga e Ali Pashës
Këndon Xhevdet Afizi Shoqëron orkestrina popullore
FAQJA II
01 Moj e vogla si floriri
Këndon Ibrahim Tukiçi Shoqëron orkestrina popullore

FACE I
01 Chant à Ali Pacha de Tépéléni
Chanteur: Djevdet Afisi Accompagné par un orchestre populaire
FACE II
01 Ma petite d’or
Chanteur: I. Turkitchi Accompagné par un orchestre populaire

Album cover

Artexport AS 023

FAQJA I
01. Tash sa ditë e mot
Këndon Marie Kraja Shoqëron grupi Shkodran
02. Mori vjollca që çel në saksi
Këndon Hafsa Zyberi Shoqëron grupi i Shqipërisë së Mesme

FACE I
01. Il y a si longtemps
Chanteuse: Mari je Kraja Accompagnée par le groupe de Shkodra
02. La violette dans le pot
Chanteuse: Hafsa Zuberi Accompagnée par le groupe de l’Albanie Centrale

Album cover

Artexport AS 024

FAQJA I
1. Qan lulja për lulen
2. Mun aty ke shtatë zymylat
FAQJA II
1. Rrush i kuq i bukuro
2. Kam dëshirë me të pa

Këndon Fitnete Rexha Shoqëron grupi i Shqipërisë së Mesme

FACE I
1. Une fleur en pleure une autre
2. Le lieu des 7 lys
FACE II
1. Le beau raisin rouge
2. Je brûle de te voir

Chanteuse: Fitnete Rédja Acompagnée par le groupe de l’Albanie Centrale

Album cover

Artexport AS 026

FAQJA I
1. Kur më zbret nga Voskopoja
2. Shkoi djali termal
Këndon kori i Ansamblit të këngëve dhe të valleve popullore Shoqëron orkestra
FAQJA II
1. Mollë e kuqe top sheqer
2. Po ti ça i ke thanë dikujt ?
Këndon Marie Kraja Shoqëron në piano Lola Gjoka

FACE I
1. Quand tu descends de Voskopoja
2. Le gars sur le sentier de montagne
Chœur de l’Ensemble de chants et de danses populaires Accompagné par un orchestre
FACE II
1. La petite pomme rouge si douce
2. Qu’as-tu dis de moi
Chanteuse: Marije Kraja Accompagnée au piano par Lola Gjoka

Album cover

Artexport AS 027

FAQJA I
1. S’ parit kur të pashë
Këndon Marie Kraja Shoqëron në piano Lola Gjoka
2. Hajde moj selvie
Këndon Fitnete Rexha Shoqëron grupi i Shqipërisë së Mesme
FAQJA II
1. Karafili si zamaku
2. Të du moj goce e vogël, të dua
Këndon Hafsa Zyberi Shoqëron grupi i Shqipërisë së Mesme

FACE I
1. Dès que je t’ai vu
Chanteuse: Mari je Kraja Accompagnée au piano par Lola Gjoka
2. Que tu es beau, mon cyprès
Chanteuse: Fitnete Rédja Accompagnée par le groupe de l’Albanie Centrale
FACE II
1. L’oeillet beau comme le lys
2. Je t’aime, petite
Chanteuse: Hafsa Zuberi Accompagnée par le groupe de l’Albanie Centrale

Album cover

Artexport AS 028

FAQJA I
1. Si mi ke sytë mi ke vetullat
Këndon Hafsa Zyberi Shoqëron grupi i Shqipërisë së Mesme
2. Ballin ma ke për dukat
Këndon Marie Kraja Shoqëron në piano Lola Gjoka
FAQJA II
1. Kënga e Rexhës
Këndon Marie Kraja Shoqëron orkestrina
2. Bubullin ke shkami Kavajës
Këndon Fitnete Rexha Shoqëron grupi i Shqipërisë së Mesme

FACE I
1. Tes yeux sont beaux comme tes sourcils
Chanteuse: Hafsa Zuberi Accompagnée par le groupe de l’Albanie Centrale
2. Ton front me fait penser au ducat
Chanteuse: Marije Kraja Accompagnée au piano par Lola Gjoka
FACE II
1. Le chant de Rédja
Chanteuse: Marije Kraja Accompagnée par un orchestre
2. Le tonnerre gronde sur le rocher de Kavaja
Chanteuse: Fitnete Rédja Accompagnée par le groupe de l’Albanie Centrale

Album cover

Artexport AS 029

FAQJA I
01 Për vend tonë jemi tuj luftue
Këndon Dervish Shaqja Shoqëron orkestrina popullore e Rrashbullit
FAQJA II
01 Kënga e Sul Markut
Këndon Azis Ndreu Shoqërojnë me çifteli Xhemal e Hysen Tushi

FACE I 01 C’est pour notre pays, que nous combattons
Chanteur: Derviche Shakia Accompagné par l’orchestre populaire de Racheboul
FACE II
01 Le chant du valeureux Soûl Markou
Chanteur: Azis Ndreou Accompagné au tchiphtéli par Djemal Hysein Touchi

Album cover

Artexport AS 030

FAQJA I
01 Kënga e Shkurte Pal Vatës
Këndon Sali Mani Shoqëron me çifteli
FAQJA II
01 Kënga e Halil Gashit
Këndon Tom Nikolla Shoqëron me çifteli

FACE I
01 Chant à Chekourté Pal Vata
Chanteur: Sali Mani Accompagné au tchiphtéli
FACE II
01 Chant à Halil Gachi
Chanteur: Tom Nicola Accompagné au tchiphtéli

Album cover

Artexport AS 032

FAQJA I
01 Kënga e Halil Garrisë
Këndon Fitnete Rexha Shoqëron grupi i Shqipërisë së Mesme
FAQJA II
01 Kënga e Skënderbeut
Këndon Simon Tuçi Shoqëron me çifteli

FACE I
01 Chant au valeureux Halil Garria
Chanteuse: Fitnete Rédja Accompagnée par le groupe de l’Albanie Centrale
FACE II
01 Le chant de Skenderbeg
Chanteur: Simon Toutchi Accompagné au tchiphtéli

Album cover

Artexport AS 035

FAQJA I
01. Vlora jonë qytet i bukur
Këndon grupi i shtëpisë së kulturës së Vlorës
02. Synin si qershija
Këndon Klotilda Shantoja Shoqëron orkestra e shtëpisë së kulturës së Shkodrës
FAQJA II
01. Kjo kunaja fije fije
Këndon grupi popullor i Shqipërisë së Mesme
02. Rrall kam pa kso bukurije
Këndon Safete Toska Shoqëron grupi i Shqipërisë së Mesme

FACE I
01. Vlora, notre belle ville
Interprété par le groupe folklorique de la Maison de la culture de Vlora
02. Tes grands yeux si beaux
Chanteuse: Clotilde Shiantoia Accompagnée par l’orchestre de la Maison de la culture de Shkodra
FACE II
01. En te faisant teindre les cheveux
Interprété par le groupe folklorique de l’Albanie Centrale
02. C’est une rare beauté que celle-ci
Chanteuse: Safete Tosca Accompagnée par le groupe de l’Albanie Centrale

Album cover

Artexport AS 036

FAQJA I
1. Këndon bylbyli poshtë te zalli
Këndojnë Marie Kraja dhe Ibrahim Tukiçi Shoqëron orkestra sinfonike e Radios
2. Drandofillen kur e pashë
Këndon Semiha Frashëri Shoqëron orkestrina popullore
FAQJA II
1. Ti andej e unë këndej
Këndojnë Melita Shehu dhe Muharrem Zajmi Shoqëron orkestrina e estradës së Peshkopisë
2. Bija e Runit
Këndojnë Melita Shehu dhe Azis Ndreu Shoqëron grupi i shtëpisë së kulturës së Peshkopisë

FACE I
1. Le rossignol chante sur la rive fleurie
Chanteurs: Marije Kraja et Ibrahim Turkitchi Accompagnés par l’orchestre symphonique de la Radiodiffusion
2. Quand j’ai vu la rose
Chanteuse: Sémiha Frasheri Accompagnée par un orchestre populaire
FACE II
1. Toi par là, moi par ici
Chanteurs: Mélita Chehou et Mouharem Zaimi Accompagnés par l’orchestre du Théâtre de Variétés de Peshkopia
2. La fille de Roun
Chanteurs: Mélita Chehou et Azis Ndreou Accompagnés par le groupe du Foyer de la culture de Peshkopia

Album cover

Artexport AS 037

FAQJA I
1. Tan Kosova asht mlu m’tym
Këndon Dervish Shaqja Shoqëron orkestrina popullore e Rrashbullit
2. E mir boll flokt e kuqe
Këndon Demush Neziri
Shoqëron orkestrina popullore e Rrashbullit
FAQJA II
1. Kuvendon Marta me gra
Këndon Xhelal Doku Shoqëron me çifteli
2. Fërfëllon thëllanxa
Këndon Fitnete Rexha Shoqëron grupi i Shqipërisë së Mesme

FACE I
1. Tout le Kossovo est couvert de fumée de poudre
Chanteur: Dervish Shakia Accompagné par l’orchestre populaire de Racheboul
2. Tu es jolie avec tes cheveux roux
Chanteur: Démouch Néziri Accompagné par l’orchestre populaire de Racheboul
FACE II
1. Marta tient conseil avec des femmes
Chanteur: Djelal Dokou Accompagné au tchiphtéli
2. La perdrix s’abattant dans l’eau
Chanteuse: Fitnete Rédja Accompagnée par le groupe de l’Albanie Centrale

Album cover

Artexport AS 038

FAQJA I
1. Në kodër të kuqe tre luanë
Këndon Zeliha Sina Shoqëron Orkestrina popullore
2. Erdhi prilli shkriu bora maleve
Këndon grupi himariot
FAQJA II
1. Kaba përmetare
Luajnë sazet e Përmetit

FACE I
01. Trois lions sur la colline rouge
Chanté par Zeliha Sina Accompagnée par l’orchestre populaire
02. Avril amène la fonte des neiges sur les montagnes
Chanté par le groupe de Himara
FACE II
01. Chant de Përmet joué à la clarinette
Exécuté par l’orchestre populaire de Përmet

Album cover

Artexport AXM 039

FAQJA I
01. Ligjëro shoku Enver
Këndon grupi lab i Dukatit
02. Moll’ e kuqe
Këndon grupi popullor i Pukës
FAQJA II
1. Dasma e ushtarit
Këndojnë Isuf Sulollari e Roza Dhamo Shoqëron Orkestra e Shtëpisë Kulturës Pogradec

FACE I
01. Parle, camarade Enver
Chanté par le groupe labe de Dukat
02. Pomme rouge
Chanté par le groupe populaire de Puka
FACE II
01. Les noces du soldat
Chanté par Isuf Sulollari et Roza Dhamo Accompagnés par l’orchestre de la Maison de la Culture de Pogradec

Album cover

Artexport AXM 040

FAQJA I
1. Ku mërzen cjapi me zile
Këndon grupi popullor i Ersekës
2. Gjirokastra në shpat mali
Këndon Fitnete Rexha Shoqëron Orkestrina popullore

FACE I
1. La, ou repose le bouc aux clochettes
Chantë par le groupe populaire de Ersekë
2. Gjirokastër au flanc de la montagne
Chantë par Fitnete Rexha Accompagnëe par l’orchestre populaire

Album cover

Artexport AS 041

FAQJA I
2. Ushtria Popullore
Këndon grupi popullor i Mashkullorës Gjirokastër
FAQJA II
1. Këngë për Mujo Ulqinakun
Këndon Hatixhe Xhahysa Shoqëron Orkestra e Shtëpisë Kulturës Durrës

FACE I
2.L’Armée populaire
Chanté par le groupe populaire de Mashkullorë de Gjirokastër
FACE II
1. Chant pour Mujo Ulqinaku
Chanté par Hatixhe Xhahysa Accompagnée par l’orchestre de la Maison de la Culture de Durrës

Album cover

Artexport AXM 042

FAQJA I
1. Viti 1908
Këndon grupi lab i Smokthinës
2. Më martoi nëna në Myzeqe
Këndon grupi popullor i Lushnjës
FAQJA II
2. Këngë për Ded Gjon Lulin
Këndon Bajram Spahia Shoqëron Orkestra popullore e Radios

FACE I
1. L’Année 1908
Chanté par le groupe labe de Smokthinë
2. Ma mère m’a donné en mariage à Myzeqe
Chanté par le groupe populaire de Lushnje
FACE II
2. Chant pour Ded Gjon-Luli
Chanté par Bajram Spahia Accompagné par l’Orchestre populaire de la Radio

Album cover

Artexport AXM 043

FAQJA I
1. Qënke veshur me të bardha
Këndon Fitnete Rexha Shoqëron Orkestra e Estradës Tiranë
2. Dhentë kur shkojnë për ujë
Melodi — luajnë sazet popullore të Delvinës
FAQJA II
1. Këngë për Selam Musanë
Këndon grupi popullor i Vlorës

FACE I
1. Toute de blanc vêtue
Chanté par Fitnete Rexha Accompagnée par l’Orchestre du Théâtre des Variétés de Tirana
2. Quand le troupeau de moutons va boire
Mélodie exécutée par l’Orchestre populaire de Delvinë
FACE II
1. Chant pour Selam Musa
Chanté par le group populaire de Vlora

Album cover

Artexport AS 44

FAQJA I
1. Tundu bejkë e bardhë
Këndon grupi popullor i Pilurit Vlorë
2. Po pyet bota për Shqipërinë
Këndon Feride Kurti Shoqëron Orkestrina e Shtëpisë së Kulturës Burrel (Mat)
FAQJA II
2. Kërce moj çikë
Këndon Fatime Sokoli Shoqëron Orkestrina popullore e Shtëpisë Kulturës Tropojë

FACE I
1. Chanson pour ma blanche brebis
Chantée par le groupe populaire de Piluri Vlora
2. Le monde entier s’intéresse à l’Albanie
Chanté par Feride Kurti Accompagnée par l’Orchestre de la Maison de la Culture de Burrel (Mat)
FACE II
2. Danse, fillette!
Chanté par Fatime Sokoli Accompagné par l’Orchestre populaire de la Maison de la Culture de Tropoja

Album cover

Artexport AS 46

FAQJA I
1. Moj Tiranë e bukur
Këndon Fitnete Rexha
Shoqëron Orkestrina e Ansamblit Shtetëror të Këngëve dhe Valleve Popullore
2. Lulëzo rivier’ e bukur
Këndon grupi polifonik i vajzave të Dhërmiut
FAQJA II
1. Këngë për Bardhok Bibën
Këndon me çifteli Frok Haxhia

FACE I
1. O ma belle Tirana!
Chanté par Fitnete Rexha Accompagnée par l’orchestre de l’Ensemble d’Etat de Chants et Danses populaires
2. Fleuris, ma belle Riviera!
Chanté par le groupe polyphonique des jeunes filles de Dhërmi
FACE II
1. Chant pour Bardhok Biba
Chanté et exécuté a la tchiftëli par Frok Haxhia

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Artexport AXM 47

FAQJA I
1. Çerçiz Topulli
Shoqërojnë sazet e radios
2. Artizane e Lumës
Këndon Hafsa Zyberi Shoqëron Orkestrina e Ansamblit Shtetëror të Këngëve e Valleve Popullore
FAQJA II
1. Këngë për Plenumin e IV-të
Këndon grupi popullor i Zagorisë Gjirokastër
2. Këngë për Shote Galicën
Këndon me çifteli Fatime Sokoli

FACE I
1. Çerçiz Topulli
Exécuté par l’Orchestre de la Radio
2. Artizane de Lume
Chanté par Hafsa Zyberi Accompagnée par l’Orchestre de l’Ensemble d’Etat de Chants et danses populaires
FACE II
1. Chant pour le IVe Plénum
Chanté par le groupe populaire de la Zagorie Gjirokastër
2. Chant pour Shote Galica
Exécuté à la tchiftéli par Fatime Sokoli

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Artexport AXM 48

FAQJA I
2. O mollë e kuqe
Këndojnë Fran Varfi dhe Gjyste Ceka Shoqëron Orkestrina popullore Mirditë
FAQJA II
1. Në Tropojë ushton jehona
Këndon me çifteli rapsodi Murat Alia
2. Jam fatos nga Labëria
Këndon grupi polifonik i fatosave të Sarandës

FACE I
2. O pomme rouge
Chanté par Fran Varfi et Gjyste Ceka Accompagnés par l’orchestre populaire de Mirdita
FACE II
1. L’écho retentit à Tropojë
Exécuté à la tchiftéli par le rhapsode Murat Alia
2. Je suis un pionnier de la Labëria
Chanté par le groupe polyphonique des pionniers de Saranda

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Artexport AXM 50

FAQJA I
1. Më shikon me buzë në gaz
Këndon Hafsa Zyberi Shoqëron Orkestra e Ansamblit Shtetëror të Këngëve e Valleve Popullore
2. Kënga e Azem Galicës
Këndon me çifteli Dervish Shaqja
FAQJA II
1. Mbeç more shokë mbeç
Këndon grupi popullor. i Skraparit
2. Dasma e malësorit
Këndon Sali Brari Shoqëron Orkestrina e Ansamblit Shtetëror të Këngëve e Valleve Popullore

FACE I
1. Tu me regardes en souriant
Chanté par Hafsa Zyberi Accompagnée par l’orchestre de l’Ensemble d’Etat de Chants et Danses populaires
2. Le chant de Azem Galica
Exécuté à la tchiftéli par Dervish Shaqja
FACE II
1. C’en est fait de moi, ô mes amis!
Chanté par le groupe populaire de Skrapari
2. Les noces du montagnard
Chanté par Sali Brari Accompagné par l’Orchestre de l’Ensemble d’Etat de Chants et Danses populaires

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Artexport AS 51

FAQJA I
2. 30 vjet shpat’ e pathyer
Këndon me çifteli rapsodja Drane Gega
FAQJA II
1. Kënga e Abdyl Frashërit
Këndon grupi polifonik i rrethit Tepelenë
2. Vinte deti tallaz-tallaz
Këndon Shazije Dollaku Shoqëron Orkestrina e Shtëpisë së Kulturës Durrës

FACE I
2. Trente ans l’épée est restée invincible
Exécuté à la tchiftéli par la rhapsode Drane Gega
FACE II
1. Le chant de Abdyl Frashëri
Chanté par le groupe polyphonique du district de Tepelena
2. La mer roulait ses vagues
Chanté par Shazije Dollaku Accompagné par l’Orchestre de la Maison de la Culture de Durrës

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Artexport AS 52

FAQJA I
1. Gëzon malësia
Këndon Violeta Simoni Shoqëron Orkestrina e Estradës Ushtarit
2. Këngë për Avni Rustemin
Këndon grupi lab
FAQJA II
1. Mora burrin që më desh zëmra
Këndon kompleksi i vajzave të Ansamblit “Çiftelia” të rrethit Lezhë

FACE I
1. Les montagnes sont en fête
Chanté par Violeta Simoni Accomagnée par l’Orchestre du Théâtre des Variétés du Soldat
2. Chant pour Avni Rustemi
Chanté par le groupe labe
FACE II
1.Je me suis mariée à celui que j’aimais
Chanté par le complexe des jeunes filles de l’Ensemble “La tchiftéli” du district de Lezha

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Artexport AXM 53

FAQJA I
1. O Enver bilbili ynë
Këndon grupi polifonik i Nivanit
2. Nusja pa stoli
Këndon Vjollca Koni e kompleksi Shoqëron Orkestrina
FAQJA II
1. Potpuri melodish me çifteli
Luan kompleksi i çiftelive të Ansam-blit “Çiftelia” Lezhë

FACE I
1. O En ver, qui parle d’or
Chanté par le groupe polyphonique de Nivan
2. La mariée sans fard
Chanté par Vjollca Koni et le complexe Accompagnés par l’orchestre
FACE II
1. Pot-pourri de mélodies jouées à la tchiftéli
Exécuté par le complexe des tchiftélis de l’Ensemble “Tchiftéli” de Lezha

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Artexport AXM 54

FAQJA I
1. Lindi luanja luanë
Këndon grupi lab i Pilurit Vlorë
2. Unë jam djalë e nuk jam plak
Këndon Fitnete Rexha Shoqëron Orkestrina e Estradës Tiranë
FAQJA II
1. Potpuri melodish nga Burreli
Luan Orkestrina popullore e Burrelit
2. Kur lindi Partia, lindi drita jonë
Këndon rapsodja Shkurte Marku Shoqëron Orkestrina popullore

FACE I
1. La lionne a mis au monde des lions
Chanté par le groupe labe de Piluri Vlora
2. Je suis jeune, je ne suis pas vieux Chanté par Fitnete Rexha Accompagnée par l’Orchestre du Théâtre des Variétés de Tirana
FACE II
1. Pot-pourri de mélodies de Burrel
Exécuté par l’Orchestre populaire de Burrel
2. La lumière pour nous est née avec le Parti
Chanté par la rhapsode Shkurte Marku Accompagnée par l’orchestre populaire

BAM (BOITE A MUSIQUE) 9 inch

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BAM LD 323

FACE I
1. Valle e gajdes
2. Chanson sur la mort de Bardok Biba
3. Chanson de mariage
FACE 2
1. Aupres des cypres de Namasdia
Fitnete Rexha vocal
2. Chanson de alouette
Ali Kotchi violon

Pllake Shqipetare 10 inch

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Pllake Shqipetare 2569/2570

Faqia I
Bubullim ke shkami Kavajes
F. Rexha
Sul Mustafa
F. Rexha
Mun aty ke shtat zymylat
F. Rexha
Ne Tirane lulzojne mimozat
F. Rexha
Faqia II
Kendo qyqe se po vjen behari
F. Rexha
Ke plepat e brukes
F. Rexha
Dor per dore me ty do dal
F. Rexha, E. Miloti
Çelin lulet e beharit
Naile. Hoxha

Artexport - Import Records 10 inch

Album AM 006 is from the collection of Hugo Strötbaum.

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Artexport AM 006

FAQJA 1
1. Vallja e Valbonës
Luan orkestra ansamblit të këngëve e valleve
2. Kenga e Llesh Palit
Kendon Nurije Gjurkaj
3. Potpuri motivesh Dibrane
Luan orkestra e shtëpisë se kulturës së Eshkopisë
FAQJA II
1. Parti trime moj lule
Këndon grupi Lab i shtëpisë se kulturës së Sarandës
2. Valle E Rajces
Luan orkestrina e estradës së Tiranës
3. O Tomor O mal larte
Këndon grupi i Skraparit

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Artexport AM 008

FAQJA I
1. Shpend ma i par i bukurisë
Këndon Luçije Miloti
2. Valle e Shpalit
Luan orkestra e Ansamblit të këngëve e valleve
3. Ç’po i bjen çobani fyellit
Këndon Nezir Osmani
FAQJA II
1. Potpuri vallesh të kukësit
Luan orkestra e estradës së Tiranës
2. Qeshu Tiranë
Këngë për Kongresin e V-të të Partisë
Këndon Shaban Bercaj
3. Valle Dardhare
Këndon kompleksi vokal i Ansamblit të këngëve e valleve

FACE I
1. Le plus splendide des oiseaux
Interprété par Luçije Miloti
2. Danse de Shpal
Exécutée par l’orchestre de l’Ensemble de chants et de danses
3. Le chant de la flûte du berger
Interprété par Nezir Osmani
FACE II
1. Pot-pourri de danses de Kukës
Exécuté par l’orchestre du Théâtre de Variétés de Tirana
2. Réjouis toi, Tirana
(Chant consacré au Ve Congrès du Parti)
Interprété par Shaban Bercaj
3. Danse de Dardhë
Interprété par le choeur de l’Ensemble de chants et de danses

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Artexport AM 012

FAQJA I
1. Të desha me hakikat
Këndon Fitnete Rexha Shoqëron grupi i Shqipërisë së Mesme
2. Mësueses mirditore
Këndon Hazize Isufi
3. Valle me sharki
Luan Muharrem Dauti
4. Valle podrimçake
Luan orkestra e estradës së Tiranës
FAQJA II
1. Melodi me fyell
2. Potpuri melodish të veriut
Luan grupi i instrumentistave popullorë
3. Potpuri vallesh mirditore
Luan orkestrina e çiftelive
4. Valle Nr. 1 e Tiranës
Luajnë sazet e Radios

FACE I
1. Je t’ai aimé de tout cœur
Chanteuse: Fitnete Rédja Accompagnée par le groupe de l’Albanie Centrale
2. A l’institutrice de Mirdita
Chanteuse: Hazize Issoufi
3. Danse populaire
Interprétée par Mouharem Dauti
4. Danse de Podrima
Orchestre du théâtre de variétés de Tirana
FACE II
1. Mélodie populaire
Exécution à la flûte
2. Potpourri de mélodies de l’Albanie septentrionale
Groupe d’instrumentistes populaires
3. Pot-pourri de danses de Mirdita
Orchestre de tchiphteli
4. Danse no. 1 de Tirana
Groupe d’instrumentistes populaires de la Radiodiffusion

Disques Vendémiaire

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12 inch LP album, Disques Vendémiaire VDE 114. There is no information given about the tunes played. The album was produced in collaboration with the Instituti i Kulturës Popullore and Radio Tirana. The description is sometimes not accurate.

BAKLLAMAJA

This is a three-stringed instrument of the lute family, very much like the ciftelia but slightly bigger. It has eleven frets and it is played with a quill for plectrum. The first string plays the melody, and so - more rarely - does the second, while the third string produces a sustained note. It is mostly used in the Korce and Pogradec areas.

SHARKIA

Similar to both the ciftelia and bakllamaja lutes but bigger and fitted with five strings, the sharkia has eleven frets arranged in much the same way as on the above instrument. The melody is generally played on the first string with a plectrum. It produces vivid sonorities. The sharkia lute serves to accompany vigorous dance tunes with daring melodious flourishes. The rhapsodes use it as an accompaniment to traditional patriotic or love songs as well as more recent songs praising the new life. It is found mainly in the Kosovo region, and in Tropoje, Kukes, Peshkopi, etc.

DAUULJA or LODRA

This is most popular in northern and central Albania. It is a large wooden drum covered at both extremities with a hide, which is held tight by ropes. It is hung round the neck of the player who strikes it with a big stick on one side and a fine stick on the other. This instrument serves to keep rhythm in dance music and is rarely played solo. The drum is very often used in combination with a surla. But the sound produced by the drum is so powerful in itself that it is scarcely ever used with any other instrument.

BILBIL

The bilbil, unlike others flutes, has a high-pitched, hissing sound. It is cut by children in spring out of a willow branch. It may also be made by craftsmen from wooden spoons or earthenware. Its length can vary from 8 to 25 inches. A small hole at the rear is closed with the right hand thumb. The six finger holes bored into the front part are closed with the fingers of both hands. The tone of the bilbil pipe suggests a chirping of birds. It is used both for traditional and modern folk tunes as a solo instrument, or accompanied by string or percussion instruments such as the ciftelia, sharkia, dajre or drum. It is also now widely used in instrumental ensembles.

KAVALL

The kavall is the preferred instrument of shepherds in the southern and northern regions of Albania. Up to 35 inches long, it comprises three constituent parts fitting into each other with tenons. The kavall is pierced with seven fingerholes in its fore part, another hole in its back part and from 3 to 5 holes at its end, to ensure purity of sound. It produces a rich, tow pitched sound. The breath of the player blowing into it is part of musical sound. The kavall allows the player plenty of scope for virtuosity. The kavall is generally used for solo-playing, but several instruments may also be combined to form a rich pastoral ensemble.

SURLA

The surla is to be found in northern and central Albania. It is in the shape of a round piece of wood. A bell is fitted to its extremity. Its three main parts are: the body, made of wild pear or maple-tree; the mouthpiece, made of boxwood; and the air-duct, made of reed and cut into the upper part of the mouthpiece to produce the sound. The surla is pierced with 7 finger-holes arranged along is the body of the instrument. Several other finger-holes on the bell serve to improve on the basic sound. The surla produces a somewhat nasal sound which can be heard from a distance. The instrument is generally accompanied by drums. Very often, two instrumentalists play together, one performing the melody and the other assisting with a long sustained note. The instrument can always be heard clearly above the steady accompaniment of drums. The repertory of the surla includes old tunes and songs as well as epic dances.

PIPEZA

The pipeza is another popular instrument, especially among children in spring and summer. It can be easily made from stalks of wheat or rye or other plants. But the real thing such as it is used by instrumentalists is made out of a stronger, better-sounding and more damp-resistant material, such as reed or bone. The pipeza flute consists of two parts: the main tube, pierced with 4-7 finger-holes, and the upper section or pipe. The instrument serves to play various well-known folk songs. Two instrumentalists may also perform together, one playing the melody while the other accompanies with a long sustained note.

ZUMARJA

Its Albanian name is derived from the Arabic z’mara and the Hebrew zmr. Similar to the pipeza, the instrument is made up of two parallel tubes. The end is fitted with a sort of bell made from goat’s or cow’s horn that produces a more powerful, somewhat rounder tone. The tubes and horn are bound together with wax. Each of the tubes is pierced with five symmetrical finger-holes. To open or close the holes, the player uses five fingers, two on the left and three on the right, covering the hole with the whole length of his finger. The instrument's repertory is limited by its narrow scale but it provides a fine melodic accompaniment, especially well suited to folk singing and dancing. Thanks to a special nose-breathing technique, the musician may give the impression of playing without ever pausing for breath. The zumarja double reed-pipe is played all over Albania but is more characteristic of the northernmost regions (Lezhe, Shkoder, etc). Already known in ancient Egypt and scattered through the Orient as far as Indonesia, the instrument was still extant in England and Wales in the eighteenth century.

GAJDE

The gajde bagpipe is best-known in the south-eastern parts of the country. It is made up of three constituent parts: the bag proper (kaceku), the chanter (pipka) and the drone-pipe (bucalla). The bag is of goatskin. The chanter is fitted to the upper part. In the tower part is the drone-pipe. At the extremity of the bag a tight stop prevents the air from leaking when the instrument is being blown. The chanter is pierced with seven finger-holes that serve to produce the melody while the drone-pipe is used to accompany with a continuous ison sound. Once the bag has been inflated, the player puts it under his left or right arm and presses it with his elbow so as to feed the required quantity of air into both chanter and drone-pipe.The gajde’s natural scale is major. Its repertory includes various songs and dance tunes of a Macedonian type, often accompanied by a dajre drum or tambourine, or other percussion instruments. The tone of the gajde is akin to that of the zumarja.

CIFTELIA

The ciftellia lute is more popular in northern and central Albania. It consists of a pear-shaped body, a long neck, pegs, txo strings and 11-13 frets. The body is made of maple or hazelwood, the soundboard of fir, the long neck of beech, the pegs of maple and the frets of brass. The player uses a plectrum made of cherry bark. The upper string is for the melody and the second (bass) string serves as a drone. The repertory is rich and extensive, it includes both old-time melodies and more modern items. The players are mostly rhapsodes, that is troubadour song-writers. The ciftelia may also be used in small ensembles including fyelli, sharkia, dajre. etc.

FYELL

The fyell - the general name for flutes - is the most common of all musical instruments in Albania. It is used in each and every occasion of life and a long popular tradition of poetry, tales, paintings, etc, bears testimony to its ancient origin. Many forms bear different names in the different regions: cirifile, njejare fyell, bilbil, kavall, cyladyjare. etc. The best-known of these are the fyell, the bilbil, the kavall and the cycladyjare. The most common fyell, cylindrical in shape, is either directly provided by nature in the form of a reed or bone, or made by craftsmen out of metal, plastic or such soft wood as maple or box. It varies in length from about 8 to 35 inches. It is bored with from 4 to 7 finger-holes, thus enabling the player to give renditions of pracically any Albanian folk tune. The player, by inhaling through his nose and using his cheeks as an air-reservoir, can produce very long musical phrases without stopping for breath. The instrument produces a warm, melodious sound of a pastoral kind and has a rich repertory of herding tunes.

BUZUKU

This instrument of the lute family consists of six strings divided into three groups. It is played with a plectrum. It is somewhat similar in shape to the three-stringed tambura but larger. Its modal notes coincide with the weak beats of the musical rhythm. A century ago the buzuku was still extremely popular in the southernmost parts of Albania, as can be seen in many literary works of the time and other historical documents. Now obsolete, it has been replaced by such other stringed instruments as the bakllamaja or llauta, which are better suited to the demands of southern popular instrumental music. The piece heard here - the performer died recently - is therefore of exceptional interest.