TIRANA, Sept. 13, 2022 – Grand Master Hetem Qerimaj, one of Albania’s most important and passionate orchestra players — a violin virtuoso — has passed away at 88, his son Fatos announced on social media.
Hetem was the patriarch of a dynasty of musicians who often played together in a small orchestra. His last major concert was on his 85th birthday with his eight children and grandchildren joining him on stage.
Hetem Qerimaj was born on Oct. 16, 1934 in the southern Albanian town of Këlcyre. He came from a family of craftsmen. He took his first music lessons in his hometown and it was his father, who played the mandolin, who instilled in him the desire to study music. In 1949, he moved to Tirana. His talent led to the authorities giving him an opportunity to study the violin.
After his studies, he started working as a violinist in the symphony orchestra of the capital. From 1949 to 1963 he worked as a violinist in the Albanian Philharmonic and the National Opera. In 1963-1990 he worked as a soloist and as a conductor of the symphony orchestra of the Army Ensemble until he retired. During this time he was active as a solo violinist performing several concerts in all cities across Albania.
He also had a significant number of concerts performed abroad, in about 40 countries around the world.
Artistic creativity and dedication to composing new traditional music was also part of his work. From 1970-2008 he composed several Kaba pieces for violin, traditional pieces with roots in his own background.
He was awarded the Naim Frashëri of Class III Order, Merited Artist title, Honorary Citizen of Këlcyra and, in 2005, he received the Grand Master from the Albanian Presidency title among several other honors and awards.
