MUSIC

Macedonia is the native land of the greatest present time composer - Jovan Kukuzela, who lived in the 14th century. Secular music is confined to national songs and dance, which are characterised by exceptional variety in melody and rhythm. During the 19th and the 20th century the first Macedonian composers, musicians and musicologists appeared. Among them the name of Atanas Bader should be mentioned. Between the two World Wars a generation of Macedonian composers appeared whose works and creativity developed after 1945. They included Stefan Gajdov, Zivko Firtov, Trajko Prokopijev and Todor Skalovski. New generations that succeeded them after the second World War worked on opera's, symphony's and instrumental music in general. These are Vlastimir Nikolovski, Blagoja Ivanovski, Tomislav Zografski, Toma Prosev and others.
The newly established institutions such as the Macedonian Philharmonic orchestra, Opera, Ballet, Academy of Music, and the Folklore institute, have contributed to the development of musical life in Macedonia since 1945.
Several festivals of music and musical events are held in Macedonia. This are the Ohrid Summer Festival, the may Opera Evenings. Speaking of music, Macedonian is a realm of its own. Macedonia is widely known for its extremely rich folklore.

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