Concert: Boban Markovic Orchestra in London Barbican

The Serbian trumpetist Boban Markovic and his orchestra performed at London Barbican on the 11 July 2009.

They shared the stage that evening with Toni Kitanovski and Cherkezi Orchetsra from Macedonia.

After the one hour long performance of the Cherkezis, we saw 12 musicians entering the stage: 9 brass and three drummers.

They were dressed in the same chequered shirts, with the exception of Boban and his son Marko Markovic.

It was clear: from 12 brass/drum musicians one can not expect quiet music.

Truly, we didn't need microphones. Their music is a fusion of the Serbian Gucha-sound and contemporary harmonies and rhythms. Loud, creative and exciting.

The most exposed musician was Marko, Boban's son. He also plays the trumpet, and he is to be next leader of the band. There is no end to his talent: at one point, he made his trumpet sound like a 'kaval', a wooden instrument found in the Balkans with an extremely gentle sound. His control of the output of the trumpet is immense. The joy of all of us attending the concert was endless.

And this is what true musicians can do: they didn't dance, didn't try to entertain us with talking and asking us whether we 'feel good', they didn't use smoke machines and lasers...

They simply played their music. So good, so masterful, that our souls were filled up to the brim at the end of the concert.

And this is what music is about: to fill one's soul through the ears, playing from the heart and skilfully.

Not one's brain through the flashing images in his eyes...

Music Review

Concert: Boban Markovic Orchestra in London Barbican