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Mimoza Keka, PhD

About Mimoza Keka, PhD

http://mimozakeka.com

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Biography

BIOGRAPHY

Mimoza Keka, PhD

Mimoza Keka is a classical pianist with refined artistry, known for her solo recitals, chamber music performances, and collaborative projects. Critics have praised her interpretations for their imaginative depth, technical mastery, and emotional expression: “Her performance is distinguished by a clear and creative imagination, with precisely crafted dynamics, articulation, rhythm, and an exceptionally well-built pianistic technique…” “Keka fascinates with her emotional and physical strength, her volcanic nature – an obvious pillar on which she overcomes Liszt’s genius artistic challenges with an inexplicably effortless approach.”

Her repertoire spans a wide range of styles, from Baroque to contemporary music, demonstrating her versatility and commitment to exploring diverse musical traditions. In 2022, she released her solo album Non-Fungible, featuring works by Johann Sebastian Bach, Alexander Scriabin, and Samuel Barber. Mimoza earned her PhD in Musical Arts at the age of 26. Her dissertation, “The Use of Digital Technologies in Quantitative Analysis of Piano Performance,” was recognized for its originality and interdisciplinary significance. Within, she gave premiere performances of Samuel Barber’s Sonata Op. 26, Maurice Ravel’s Miroirs, and Leoš Janáček’s In the Mists, earning acclaim for her compelling interpretations.

Mimoza’s artistic journey has been shaped by guidance from distinguished musicians, including Maestra Lilya Zilberstein, under whose mentorship she obtained her Master of Arts Diploma. As a soloist, she has collaborated with orchestras, distinguished herself in solo and chamber music performances, and participated in prestigious international festivals including Siena Summer Festival, Ohrid Summer Festival, Days of Macedonian Music, Golden Lyre Festival. Her career includes engagements across Europe and the United States, establishing her presence as a globally recognized artist. 

A leader in forward-thinking innovation, Dr. Keka has managed and participated in several classical music projects promoting the works of Macedonian composers and supporting charitable causes. Mimoza Keka has collaborated with distinguished conductors, including Sasha Nikolovski-Gjumar, under whose baton she performed Camille Saint-Saëns’ Piano Concerto No. 2. She has also worked extensively with appointed conductors at the Faculty of Music in Skopje, contributing to numerous projects and concerts with the Chamber and Symphonic Orchestra of the Faculty. Additionally, she served as an artistic collaborator for the Opera Studio program, supporting both undergraduate and postgraduate students in their operatic training. She has also received numerous top prizes at international piano competitions among which “Pietro Argento”, “Giovanni Talenti San Bartolomeo” as well as five times first prize winner at the national piano competition in N. Macedonia.

Based in Munich, Germany, Mimoza continues to develop her artistic vision, engaging audiences through performances and contributing to the world of classical music as a performer, researcher, and educator.

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J. S. Bach - Concert

Music Review – A Musical Story – J. S. Bach

Bach's Music Transformed into Pure Passion

On November 1, 2024, the concert A Musical Story: Johann Sebastian Bach captivated audiences at the National Art Gallery Daut Pasha Hamam. This unique event featured arias and duets from Bach’s monumental works, including the St. Matthew Passion, Mass in B Minor, and the cantata Jesu, der du meine Seele, complemented by the virtuosic performance of the Toccata in E Minor.

About the Concert Musical Story: Johann Sebastian Bach

November began in the spirit of Bach’s musical creation. On Friday, November 1, 2024, at 8 PM, the concert Musical Story: Johann Sebastian Bach took place, featuring arias and duets from Bach’s monumental works, including St. Matthew Passion, Mass in B Minor, and the cantata Jesu, der du meine Seele. In the middle of the concert, the audience enjoyed the performance of the Toccata in E Minor.

The venue for the event was the National Art Gallery Daut Pasha Hammam, renowned for its vivid architecture and unique location. The selected venue proved ideal for performing Bach’s vocal masterpieces, thanks to its exceptional acoustic characteristics.

The performers, soprano Marija Tashevska and alto Mariana Boskovska, are young artists showcasing remarkable skill in a diverse vocal repertoire, from chamber scenes to performances with orchestras. Both are recent graduates of the Faculty of Music Arts in Skopje. Their performances have drawn significant attention in Musica Viva concerts organized by the Faculty of Music Arts, as well as in the annual concerts In Honor of Kosta Trpkov, where solo singing students perform with the National Opera and Ballet orchestra.

This concert marked their collaboration with pianist Mimoza Keka, a universal concert pianist and Doctor of Musical Arts from the Faculty of Music Arts. Keka has often performed with the duo as an artistic collaborator for the Vocal Studio course, led by conductor Bisera Chadlovska.

The Program Highlights

The concert began with a brief introduction by Dr. Keka, who announced the program. The first piece, “Blute nur, mein liebes Herz” for soprano from St. Matthew Passion BWV 244 (1727), opened with Keka’s piano accompaniment that immersed the audience in Bach’s spiritual music and biblical themes. Tashevska conveyed the pain and sacrifice of Jesus Christ with profound passion.

The soprano-alto duet “So ist mein Jesus nun gefangen,” portraying Christ’s capture, featured Keka’s nuanced dynamics and the singers’ heartfelt expressions, intensifying the emotion. Tashevska’s pure, resonant voice shone in “Aus Liebe will mein Heiland sterben,” reflecting Christ’s love and sacrifice for humanity.

Following the arias, Keka performed Toccata in E Minor BWV 914 (1710), where the piano resonated like an organ, enhancing the spiritual atmosphere.

The duet “Et in unum Dominum” from the Mass in B Minor BWV 232 (1749) displayed the cohesion and harmonic richness of the performers, embodying Bach’s spirit and the connection between Christ and the believer.

Boskovska’s exceptional voice, with its dark and rich timbre, shone in the alto aria “Agnus Dei,” achieving a sense of peace and spiritual transcendence, supported by Keka’s precise polyphonic piano lines.

The concert concluded with the vibrant duet “Wir eilen mit schwachen, doch emsigen Schritten” from Jesu, der du meine Seele BWV 78 (1724), performed with evident enjoyment by all three artists, their smiles lighting up the evening.

Artistic Synthesis

The event also included visual art from the Austrian Modern Art After 1945 exhibition. The expressive use of color, minimalism, and distorted forms of the artworks paralleled the depth of Bach’s music. Together, they created a fusion of Baroque spirituality and postmodern introspection, amplified by the unique Ottoman architecture of the 15th-century venue, designed as a space for both physical and emotional cleansing.

Milena Naumovska, November 12, 2024, buzar.mk

Poster Piano Duo Concert in Croatia

Piano Duo Concert in Mali Losinj, Croatia

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Piano Duo Concert Tour Mimoza Keka and Jovana Trajcheva

The Days of Josip Kašman bring two attractive concerts. It will be a sensation under the open sky

“The Harmony of the Piano Through Four Hands” – on the summer stage of the Vladimir Nazor Cinema, we will host the impressive Macedonian piano duo Mimoza Keka and Jovana Trajcheva, who will perform pearls of four-handed piano literature such as Brahms’ Hungarian Dances or Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue, as well as arrangements of the first movement of Beethoven’s 5th Symphony and mastery by Astor Piazzolla – Oblivion, Adios Nonino and Libertango.

Piano Duo Concert in Mali Losinj, Croatia

In August and September 2024, Macedonian pianists M.A. Jovana Trajcheva and Ph.D. Mimoza Keka undertook a highly successful concert tour, performing in Mali Lošinj and Rijeka, Croatia. In Mali Lošinj, they participated in the esteemed summer music festival, “Days of Josip Kašman,” where their recital was met with great enthusiasm and attracted a large audience. The objective of the tour was to promote classical music and bring the works of renowned global composers to a broader audience. The meticulously selected programme commenced with a remarkable rendition of Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony, adapted for four-hand piano. This iconic piece set the tone for an energetic and deeply emotional concert. The duo then proceeded to perform the first five Hungarian Dances by Johannes Brahms, showcasing their expertise in capturing the vibrant rhythms and folkloric elements inherent in these lively pieces. The middle section of the concert was dedicated to tango, featuring three works by Astor Piazzolla: “Libertango,” “Adiós Nonino,” and “Oblivion.” The pieces brought intense passion and melancholy to the stage, and Trajcheva and Keka’s interpretation vividly brought the tango spirit to life, captivating the audience. The programme concluded with a dazzling rendition of George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue, which demonstrated the ability to bridge the worlds of classical music and jazz. The duo’s flawless execution of the intricate rhythms and jazzy inflections of this work made a lasting impression on all attendees. Their tour left a profound impact on the international stage, with exceptional performances that not only enriched the musical repertoire but also opened doors for new international collaborations and future performances.

Poster Istanbul Classics

Solo recital of pianist Mimoza Keka: Istanbul Classics 2023

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Pianist Mimoza Keka met with music lovers at Nazım Hikmet Cultural Center

Keka gave the audience an emotional night with her music combining Turkish and Macedonian culture. North Macedonian pianist Mimoza Keka met with music lovers at Nazım Hikmet Cultural Center.
Making a statement to the AA correspondent before the concert held in cooperation with the North Macedonia Cultural Center and the Istanbul Philharmonic Association, Keka said:

“It is very nice to be in Istanbul. I’ve been here before, but this is the first time I came for a concert. I’m so excited for this. I will give a concert in a very nice hall. I would like to thank the supporters of this concert. 
“I dream of a beautiful and emotional night for the audience.” she said.

Stating that she played at the Ohrid Summer Festival last week, Keka said:

“I combine classical and traditional in my music. Turkish and Macedonian cultures are very close to each other in this sense. I know that especially folk songs have a lot in common. After my concert tonight, I will also give concerts in Germany and Austria.” she said.

Pianist Keka included Franz Liszt’s “B Minor Sonata” and Dimitrije Buzharovski’s “Nocturnes Op.52” in the concert program.
The concert, organized with the support of the Ministry of Culture of North Macedonia and Şişli Municipality, lasted approximately 1.5 hours.


30.08.2023
Anadoly Agency

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Ohrid Summer Festival August 16th

Mimoza Keka with a solo recital at 63rd Ohrid Summer Festival

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Recital of Mimoza Keka at Ohrid Summer Festival

The young but very talented Macedonian pianist Mimoza Keka wowed the audience at the “Ohrid Summer” festival last night by holding a recital under the acoustic arches of the “Sveta Sofia” church.
The music critic says that “..her performance is distinguished by a clear and suggestive creative imagination, with a precisely crafted dynamic, articulation and rhythmic plan and an extraordinarily developed pianistic technique…” which was confirmed last night at the all-night concert.

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Ohrid Summer Festival Press 2023

A unique recital by the young pianist Keka at “Ohrid summer”

August 17, 2023

12:56 p.m

 

 “Ohrid summer” hosted over 1000 artists from 20 countries of the world, Serbia, Czech Republic, Italy, Slovenia, Poland, France, Turkey, Israel, USA, Ukraine, Spain, Montenegro, Greece, Germany, Romania, Portugal, Egypt, Russia,… and of course, artists from the Republic of North Macedonia.
“Ohrid Summer Festival” climbed to a high fifth place among the top five among 140 festivals, members of the European Festival Association (EFA).

Mimoza Keka with a solo recital at 63rd Ohrid Summer Festival
Mimoza Keka with a solo recital at 63rd Ohrid Summer Festival
Piano four-hands, Two Pianos Recital

Two Pianos, Piano Four-Hands Recital “Fidan” of Mimoza Keka and Jovana Trajcheva, part of Season 2022/2023 of Skopje Philharmonic, June 6th

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Piano Four-Hands, Two Pianos Recital "Fidan" at Filharmonija with Jovana Trajcheva as a part of the season 2022/2023 of Skopje Philharmonic

The recital featured a stunning repertoire of music by renowned composers and their vibrant compositions. The audience heard the musical masterpieces by Bach/Kurtág, Saint Saëns, Saint Saëns/Debussy, Piazzolla, Milhaud and Rachmaninoff. The recital started with the beautiful melody of Bach’s Cantata no. 106 and continued with Rachmaninoff’s “Six Morceaux,” a collection of exquisite pieces showcasing the composer’s emotional depth. The program then took a mesmerizing turn with Piazzolla’s “Adios Nonino”. Then, the melody weaved its way through the passages of “Danse Macabre” by Saint Saëns and Saint Saëns’ “Introduction et rondo capriccioso” transcribed for two pianos by Debussy. The exciting Programme for Piano Four-Hands and Two Pianos included “Scaramouche” by Darius Milhaud. With the three movements of “Scaramouche,” each with its own distinct character, the audience have had the opportunity to experience the compelling energy of the first movement to the tender and introspective melodies of the second, and finally culminating in the exuberant finale called “Brazileira”.

“Chamber Cohesion between two outstanding pianists that create unity on stage” – NU Filharmonija. (2023, June). Skopje: NU Filharmonija Press.

“Two Outstanding Musicians are going to perform Piano Duo Recital tonight in Filharmonija” – NU Filharmonija. (2023, June). Skopje: NU Filharmonija Press.

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Concert "Fidan" 2023

Two Pianos, Piano Four-Hands Recital “Fidan” of Mimoza Keka and Jovana Trajcheva, part of Season 2022/2023 of Skopje Philharmonic, June 6th
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Concert in Prague, Czech Republic & Festive Rhapsody in Skopje

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Two concerts of Pianists Keka and Trajceva

Concert in Prague, Czech Republic & Festive Rhapsody in Skopje

Piano Duo Concert at

Jana Deyla

Conservatory

 

Piano Duo Concert by pianists Mimoza Keka and Jovana Trajceva on September 16th, in the exquisite hall of Jana Deyla Conservatory in Prague, Czech Republic. The pianists performed works by Liszt, Brahms and Schubert. The concert is supported by the Ministry of Culture and the entrance is free.

The piano-duo performs regularly since 2018, their first appearance for the benefit concert for SOS Children’s Village Skopje, a project by Mimoza Keka. Since then, the duo has toured in Paris and Rome, performing a piano duo recitals in Teatro Marcello and the American Cathedral, as well as played a yearly New Years’ Concerts in the Chamber Hall of the Philharmonic in Skopje in 2019 and 2021, where in 2021 they toured in the cultural centers in the country –  with two concerts in Skopje and one in Kumanovo. 

Festive Rhapsody Mimoza Keka (web)

The Festive Rhapsody

is back again this winter!

 
The New Year’s Concert of pianists Mimoza Keka and Jovana Trajcheva continues this year with a piano-duo recital entitled Festive Rhapsody no. 3 on December 17th 2022, starting at 8 PM at the Chamber Hall – Skopje Philharmonic. The pianists performed a programme from the piano four-hands literature.
 
Mimoza Keka and Jovana Trajcheva perform numerous recitals throughout the country and abroad. In 2022, they performed a piano-duo recital at the Jana Deyla Conservatory in Prague, they also performed at the Concerti del Tempietto and Les Dimanches Musicaux festivals in Rome and Paris, as well as for the SOS Children’s Village Skopje with a recital entitled Autumn Fairy Tale. In 2019, their Festive Rhapsody began and in December 2021 they performed a series of concerts under the title Festive Rhapsody No.2, concluding it with a concert at the Chamber Hall – Skopje Philharmonic.

Live perofmance at the Philharmonic Hall in Skopje

Mimoza Keka and Francesca Orlando Pianists Recital (web)

Concert Series by Pianists Mimoza Keka & Francesca Orlando

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The weekend on September 3rd and 4th 2022, pianists Francesca Orlando and Mimoza Keka, both students of Prof. Lilya Zilberstein, performed concerts in Skopje and Bitola following their piano-duo recital in Bristol

The pianists performed in the Museum of the Macedonian Struggle in Skopje and in the Palace of Culture – Officers’ Hall in Bitola.

– It was a great pleasure to perform in front of the audience, excellent connoisseurs of classical music, including the ambassador of the EU in our country, His Excellency David Geer, who took the time to attend the event.
– We played beautifully selected programme for piano four-hands, where in the first half we performed the Sonata in D major KV 381 (I. Allegro, II. Andante, III. Allegro molto) by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, followed by the Sonata for piano four-hands (I. Prelude, II. Rustique, III. Final) by Francis Poulenc and the Slavonic Dances op. 72 no. 2 Starodávný/Dumka & no. 7 Kolo by Antonín Dvořák. In the second half we performed Fantasie in F-minor for piano four-hands by Franz Schubert, followed by the Petite Suite (I. En bateau, II. Cortège, III. Menuet, IV. Ballet) by Claude Debussy and Libertango by Astor Piazzolla.

Music Video Recitals in Skopje and Bitola

Concert Series by Pianists Mimoza Keka & Francesca Orlando
Piano Recital NYC Mimoza Keka

Gallery MC, Piano Recital of Mimoza Keka in New York City

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On Wednesday, June 15th, Mimoza Keka performed a Piano Recital at Gallery MC, New York City

 

Pianist Mimoza Keka, born in Skopje, earned acclaim as a recitalist, chamber musician, piano accompanist and recording artist with her numerous projects and concerts across the country and abroad. Since studying at the Faculty of Music in Skopje with Prof. Todor Svetiev and Prof. Lilya Zilberstein, obtaining a Bachelor of Music (2015) and a Master of Music Arts (2017), as well as being awarded in 2021 with a PhD in Music Arts, Mimoza has launched into a successful concert career as a solo artist, with concerto appearances, solo recitals and chamber concerts. In 2022 she published her book “The use of digital technologies in quantitative analysis of piano performance” available at Amazon.com, as well as she published her first solo album named NON-FUNGIBLE, which is available on all streaming platforms.

Piano Recital NYC Mimoza Keka
Piano Recital NYC Mimoza Keka


Mimoza has collaborated with distinguished conductors including Sasha Nikolovski-Gjumar, under whose baton she performed the Piano concerto no. 2 from Camille Saint-Saens, conductor Sasho Tatarchevski, as well as conductor Bisera Chadlovska with whom she has an active collaboration at the Faculty of Music in Skopje. As a chamber musician she joined the Ensemble for contemporary music Contempora from SOKOM. Additionally, she has active engagements playing piano duo with pianist Francesca Orlando. Furthermore, she has enjoyed performing recitals in many European Cities including Paris, Rome, Bristol, Milan, Trieste, Siena, Punta Ala, Sovicille, Montrond-les-Baines, Sozopol, Sarajevo. Mimoza has performed at Concerti del Tempietto in Rome, Les dimanches musicaux in Paris, International Festival Akordeon Art Plus in Sarajevo, at the International Francophone Festival Soleil in Sozopol, Bulgaria, Siena Summer Festival, having performed in the renowned hall of Palazzo Chigi Saracini  in Siena, Italy (2015, 2016, 2017), Festival international de piano Jeunеs Talents in Montrond-les-Baïnes, France, as well as she participated in the spring concert season of the Bristol Music Club in Bristol, United Kingdom.
In 2019 she was chosen to participate as one of the ten participants of TEME Project (Transnational European Music Entrepreneur) held in Trieste and Camerino, Italy, a project approved and supported by the European Commission and part of the program Creative Europe and Music Moves Europe.  In April 2022 Mimoza took part in the initiative “Europe for Ukraine” of Amelia Ray, and participated in the recording of the original song of Amelia Ray “Hands in Hearts”. Mimoza has also performed in a number of master classes with highly acclaimed pianists and has participated in professional trainings at prestigious music academies, including Accademia Musicale Chigiana in Siena, Italy with maestra Lilya Zilberstein from 2015 to 2017.

ABOUT THE WORKS BY MACEDONIAN COMPOSERS

 
This recital program with its creative and modern character, includes the fundamental piano works from the 18th through the 20th century and continuing to the 21st century – classical and contemporary/modern music, combining compositions by contemporary Macedonian authors. 
 
The performance of such a recital program enables the listener to get acquainted with the style of composing of the contemporary Macedonian composers from the second half of the 20th century until today. The program is set in a way that allows a historical overview of the composed piano works: the  Suite for Piano solo op. 27 by Tomislav Zografski, published in 1960, followed by the Nocturnes on themes of Macedonian folk songs for piano by Dimitrije Buzarovski published in 2004.

The suite as a musical form was especially important in the Baroque era and was used by the composers Francois Couperin, Georg Philipp Telemann and Johann Sebastian Bach, but with the advent of classicism it fell out of use. Tomislav Zografski with the Suite for Piano Solo op. 27 won the 1st prize at the first competition for classical music in 1960 in Skopje.
 
Regarding the Nocturnes by Dimitrije Buzharovski, this cycle of compositions was written in the musical form Nocturne, which was particularly significant in the 19th century and was a one-piece composition for solo piano, first used by the Irish composer John Field and actualized by Frederick Chopin. In fact, the very title Nocturnes means the form, which in translation means night, evening, i.e. a composition that was performed at evening parties from the 18th century. The Nocturnes on themes of Macedonian folk songs are a fundamental work for piano by the composer Dimitrije Buzarovski, who through the actualization of this musical form, returns to the original tradition, by using themes of Macedonian folk songs.
 

Music Video at Gallery MC
Mimoza Keka - Non-Fungible- Scriabin Barber Bach

New album by pianist Mimoza Keka

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Non Fungible Album

Stream the album NON-FUNGIBLE on your favorite platform
Listen to the new album by pianist Mimoza Keka with works by Barber, Bach and Scriabin. The new album of classical music with works by Samuel Barber, Johann Sebastian Bach and Alexander Scriabin by pianist Mimoza Keka is now available for listening at YouTube, Apple Music, Spotify, Deezer, Amazon Music.
 
The album is titled “Non-Fungible Scriabin Barber Bach”, and is the pianist’s first solo album release. It combines several musical styles ranging from baroque music, romanticism and contemporary music from the 20th century. The album contains two piano – sonatas and a toccata, and the Sonata op. 26 by the American composer Samuel Barber was premiered and recorded in the Republic of North Macedonia by the pianist.
 
Mimoza Keka starts learning piano at the age of five, completes her undergraduate studies in piano in the class of prof. Todor Svetiev at the Faculty of Music in Skopje, holds a master’s degree under the mentorship of prof. Lilya Zilberstein, and in 2021 she obtained her PhD in Musical Arts. Performs at Golden Lyre, New Cultural Wave, Autumn Music Festivals, Days of Macedonian Music, Festival international de piano Jeunes Talents in France, Siena Summer Festival of Classical Music in Italy, Solei – Festival of Francophonie in Bulgaria, International Festival Concerti del Tempietto at the Teatro Marcello in Rome, Italy, Music Sundays in Paris, as well as at the Bristol Music Club in United Kingdom. Among her most significant performances is the performance with the Symphony Orchestra of FMU-Skopje, under the baton of maestro Sasha Nikolovski – Gjumar where she played Concerto no. 2 for piano and orchestra by C. Saint-Saens. Mimoza also performs in chamber ensembles, with the ensemble ConTempora, piano duo, as well as piano collaboration. Mimoza Keka is engaged at the Faculty of Music in Skopje as a guest artist – expert in practice and is a member of the Union of Music Artists of Macedonia.”
 

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