Neço Muko
Encyclopedia
Neço Muko also known as Neço Muko Himarjoti was an Albanian
singer and composer. His musical style created a new genre of Albanian polyphonic music called avaz himariot or avaz himariotçe that became identified with the music of his home region Himarë
.
, southern Albania
. After attending primary school he travelled to the Kingdom of Greece
to study. He returned to Albania in 1916, during World War I
. Muko learned how to play the violin and the mandolin, and in 1923 he started composing vaudeville
s. In 1924 he moved to France
, but in 1926 returned to Albania. In the town of Sarandë
he founded a choral group named Pif-Paf. In 1929 and 1930 he travelled again to France
with his group to make recordings for Pathé Records
, in which Albanian students studying in France took part. These recordings increased his popularity in southern Albania and helped him establish his new genre the avaz himariot or avaz himariotçe.
Muko's best known song is Vajza e Valëve (Girl of the Waves), the poetical composition of which increased his reputation even more. In the 1920s he also composed songs for well-known singers of Albanian urbal music such as Marie Kraja and Tefta Tashko-Koço
.
Albanians
Albanians are a nation and ethnic group native to Albania and neighbouring countries. They speak the Albanian language. More than half of all Albanians live in Albania and Kosovo...
singer and composer. His musical style created a new genre of Albanian polyphonic music called avaz himariot or avaz himariotçe that became identified with the music of his home region Himarë
Himarë
Himarë is a bilingual region and municipality along the Albanian Riviera in southern Albania and part of the District of Vlorë. Apart from the town of Himarë, the region consists of 7 other villages: Dhërmi, Pilur, Kudhës, Qeparo, Vuno, Iljas, and Palasë....
.
Life and Work
Neço Muko was born on October 21, 1899 in HimarëHimarë
Himarë is a bilingual region and municipality along the Albanian Riviera in southern Albania and part of the District of Vlorë. Apart from the town of Himarë, the region consists of 7 other villages: Dhërmi, Pilur, Kudhës, Qeparo, Vuno, Iljas, and Palasë....
, southern Albania
Albania
Albania , officially known as the Republic of Albania , is a country in Southeastern Europe, in the Balkans region. It is bordered by Montenegro to the northwest, Kosovo to the northeast, the Republic of Macedonia to the east and Greece to the south and southeast. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea...
. After attending primary school he travelled to the Kingdom of Greece
Kingdom of Greece
The Kingdom of Greece was a state established in 1832 in the Convention of London by the Great Powers...
to study. He returned to Albania in 1916, during World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. Muko learned how to play the violin and the mandolin, and in 1923 he started composing vaudeville
Vaudeville
Vaudeville was a theatrical genre of variety entertainment in the United States and Canada from the early 1880s until the early 1930s. Each performance was made up of a series of separate, unrelated acts grouped together on a common bill...
s. In 1924 he moved to France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, but in 1926 returned to Albania. In the town of Sarandë
Sarandë
Sarandë or Saranda is the capital of the District of Sarandë, Albania, and is one of the most important tourist attractions of the Albanian Riviera. It is situated on an open sea gulf of the Ionian Sea in the Mediterranean 2 nautical miles from the Greek island of Corfu. The city of Saranda has a...
he founded a choral group named Pif-Paf. In 1929 and 1930 he travelled again to France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
with his group to make recordings for Pathé Records
Pathé Records
Pathé Records was a France-based international record label and producer of phonographs, active from the 1890s through the 1930s.- Early years :...
, in which Albanian students studying in France took part. These recordings increased his popularity in southern Albania and helped him establish his new genre the avaz himariot or avaz himariotçe.
Muko's best known song is Vajza e Valëve (Girl of the Waves), the poetical composition of which increased his reputation even more. In the 1920s he also composed songs for well-known singers of Albanian urbal music such as Marie Kraja and Tefta Tashko-Koço
Tefta Tashko-Koço
Tefta Tashko-Koço was a very well known Albanian singer of the 1930s. She was posthumously awarded the prestigious title People's Artist of Albania.-Life:...
.