Tefta Tashko Koço

Soprano Tefta Tashko Koço (1910–1947) was born in Fayum, Egypt, where her parents had immigrated at the end of the 19th century. After the passing away of her father, Athanas Tashkos, her family returned to Korça in 1921 and in 1927, together with her mother, sister and one of her brothers, Tefta left for Montpellier, France, where she studied classical singing in the conservatory. After completing her studies at this conservatory in 1931, she studied at the Institut Musical & Dramatique and the Conservatoire National de Musique et de Déclamation in Paris between 1931-1936. Upon returning to Albania in 1936, Tefta devoted herself to studying Albanian urban lyrical songs, in addition to the repertoire with chamber and operatic music she was already practicing. She was recorded three times on discs in three different periods of time, in 1930 by Pathé record company in Paris and in 1937 and 1942 by Columbia record company in Milan, Italy. During these three periods, her vocal repertoire included light music (1930), classical vocal (1937), and 45 urban lyrical Albanian folk songs (1937, 1942). She was acclaimed by local and foreign critics “for her perfect vocal technique, bright and round sounds, crystal clear intonation, measured gestures and tasteful phrasing” (November 14, 1945). With her interpretations, Tefta expanded the architecture of Albanian folk songs to the level of concert romances, deepened the autochthonous character, embellished the melody and words, thus also the expressiveness of the Albanian language. She transmitted their lyrical aspect together with a dramatic tension, leaving on this occasion her personal stamp, i.e., their new aesthetic nature. With her interpretations of folk songs, she actualized the emotional significance and created a stylistic matrix in which vocal performance is perfect, while the national aspect of the song “breathes” freely. Even today, Albanian lyric singers sing these songs this way. The national, social and artistic effect of her activity was very great. Her method and style brought to Albanian lyrical singing the experience of a master worker, of a perfectionist. Tefta wanted to be a free and independent artist and despite many difficulties, she succeeded. For this reason, the prominent intellectuals of the country honored her as a diva, foreigners saw with surprise in her the energy of the Albanian race, while today’s artists still have her as a model. With her, the Albanian vocal art begins the ambitious ascent and reaches the apogee. Because of everything she did, she is part of Albania’s historical memory as a special personality of the national pantheon. According to Mustafa Krantje:… the interpretational legacy of our very precious soprano has really great and very special values.

“QAN LULJA PER LULEN”, by Tefta Tashko Koço – YouTube