In November the church of St Michaelis in the city of Hof in Germany was transformed into a stage for a major music recital: Christmas in Europe 2007. This major event was organised by German TV network Bayerische Rundfunk who invited NAFRA and other folk ensembles from Europe to participate in a special concert. This concert will be broadcast internationally on 23 December. Independent Living speaks to Ruben Zahra about this event:
The folk ensemble NAFRA has become a major exponent of Malta’s music heritage. You’ve performed in a number of international music festivals and now you shall feature on German TV. How did this project come about?
“The invitation to participate came directly from the German TV network Bayerische Rundfunk. The organisers contacted me in July when they were selecting the ensembles for the event. Apparently they had come across my publication A Guide to Maltese Folk Music which includes a CD with a selection of vintage recordings and new songs by NAFRA. We get many requests to perform both locally and internationally but it is very important for me that the event contains the appropriate scenario. The arrangements that I compose based on folk material are very elaborate. NAFRA is not a cabaret act and it certainly isn’t background music. We deliver a “program” to an audience who is committed to experience a recital. Germany was great because the production was excellent and we had the right type of audience.”
Christmas in Europe 2007 implies a program featuring carols and a seasonal repertoire. What music did NAFRA perform within this context and how was the whole programme presented?
“Besides the orchestral repertoire, organ music, choirs and soloists from the Bavarian district of Germany, the programme featured music ensembles from Austria, Czech Republic, Finland, Italy, Malta and Spain. Each ensemble performed a Christmas carol portraying a unique traditional character. Our performance was introduced with a short prelude on iz-Zaqq (Maltese bagpipe). There is plenty of evidence that this instrument was played in Malta during Christmas and some villages used to have a Zaqq piper during the midnight mass. After this short traditional tune on the Zaqq we presented a contemporary rendering of the traditional Maltese carol: Ninu Ninu tal-Milied. I used the simple melody as a theme to generate a sequence of complex variations. I enjoy using folk music as a raw material to create an intricate composition. That’s why all NAFRA members are excellent musicians with a strong formation in classical music. The line-up for Germany was: Lino Pirotta on the clarinet, Mario Frendo on the viola and Christopher Spiteri on the tuba. The music was further embellished by rhythmic accents on the Zafzafa (friction drum).”
The concert in Hof was coordinated and directed for a television broadcast. How did this media arrangement differ from a regular music concert?
“It felt like I was back in Hollywood on a studio lot. The concert was shot with six different cameras which included a steady-cam and a high-tech crane that would swoop above the audience and extend from ground level up to the organ pipes. Every sequence was very well coordinated and the director created a different scenario for every ensemble. NAFRA was set at the intersection of the aisles facing the main altar so that the church organ would constitute the backdrop to the NAFRA performance. The Heidenreich organ in the parish church of St. Michaelis was completed in 1834 and is considered one of Bavaria’s finest.”
What projects do you have stashed away under your Christmas tree?
“Well this year my music engagements have taken me abroad. Right after the NAFRA concert in Germany I took off to Italy for a CD release featuring some of my music. The CD was produced by Torvergata University in Rome featuring a compilation of electronic music. My track is entitled Chants from the Deep from 1997. I have a number of projects for 2008. Until then all those who have satellite TV can watch NAFRA on 23 December on the German TV station: Bayerische Rundfunk.”