TENTEN: Visar, the virtuoso
Visar Kuçi plays many instruments and has been himself instrumental for the dynamic music scene in Kosova, always calm in person and explosive on stage. A perfect, little TenTen interview...
Everybody knows Visar Kuçi in the music landscape of Kosovo. A guy will a calm demeanor, a multi-instrumentalist interested in multiverse of music tastes and directions, a scholar of science of sounds, a vivacious virtuoso of violin.
Visar has been playing since the age of 9 and, at a young age, explored and has mastered to the level of perfection various instruments such as the violin, double bass, guitar, and bass guitar. You’ll find him at ease playing bass guitar in a Prishtina speakeasy, or a violin in Kosovo philharmonics.
He completed his primary and secondary education in Kosovo at the Prenk Jakova music school, while his university studies were conducted in Münster, Germany, at the Faculty of Music Art at the "Westfälischen Wilhelms" University.
Visar has accumulated wealth of references, experiences, both as a soloist and ensemble member in Germany, Italy, Austria, Belgium, the Netherlands, Bosnia , as well as in our own Kosovo. He’s a teacher too - teaching life of music in university and music of life in all the urban crowds.
1. Where’s your favorite place to dance when the music moves you?
That depends on the moment, sometimes the living room, sometimes the gym but a special night out would be a vibrant 70s Funk/Soul Club.
2. If you could invite any musician from history for a jam session, who would it be?
Definitely Miles Davis and J.S. BACH for their infinite creative possibilities.
3. If you could score music describing an average day in your life, what instruments would be featured, and why?
Strings, Winds, Brass, Percussion, 2 Pianos and 2 Jazz Bands, one acoustic and one electric band. This instrumentation set-up would best present my average day, but I would love someone else to write it for me.
4. What type of music would feature in the soundtrack about Prishtina?
Jazz, Hip-Hop and New Wave.
5. What’s the most surprising instrument you’ve ever tried, and how did it go?
The Indian Sitar and I couldn't really figure it out and couldn't really play it
6. What was your very first job?
Violinist at the Philharmonic Orchestra of Kosovo as a 17 year old.
7. What is one book or film that inspires you musically or creatively?
hmmm hard to choose one..."The Active Side of Infinity" by Carlos Castaneda
8. In terms of sheer mastery and joy of instrument-playing, what’s your choice: André 3000 and his flute or Pink Floyd—“Shine On You Crazy Diamond” or “Comfortably Numb”? Which resonates more with you?
A combination of the aesthetics of "Comfortably Numb" and the guitar parts of "Shine on you Crazy Diamond". I had to look up Andre 3000 btw, nice music and thanks for the tip.
9. What’s the one song in Albanian you like in our noisy weddings?
hehe..."Fustani me pika"
10. Would you rather play in a dark, smoky jazz speakeasy in front of music lovers or big, bright concert hall with big crowd?
I love both of them but I'd rather play in Concert Halls and Concert Venues.
