The Macedonian Philharmonic Orchestra is, perhaps, one of the few cultural institutions in the country and beyond, which, given the Covid-19 pandemic, last year realized the concert program in its entirety. Unique music events with top soloists and conductors, symphony and chamber concerts, which took place in the big and small hall, with an impressive and attractive program that was a mix of the so-called classical, iron repertoire and contemporary compositions took place at the Philharmonic during 2020. All events were held under strict protection measures, with all protocols adopted by the Government of the RSM for holding events in cultural facilities.

- Due to the situation with the coronavirus, we divided the orchestra into two ensembles, and we adapted the program for smaller symphony ensembles, in order to protect all employees in the facility. I am happy that on the one hand, music lovers and artists did not miss the stage, the living contact with art, and on the other hand, that we managed in this cruel and depressing time to deal with the "enemy" and preserve our dignity, to move forward with common sense, of course, not at any cost, to give people hope for a better future. Music is the perfect form of action against the ugly. All the concerts went online, so that those who decided not to come to the hall, could dream and fantasize watching and listening to our art projects and leave at least for a moment the grayness that as a group paints us in gloomy colors - he points out Acting the director of the Philharmonic, Tina Ivanova.

The Philharmonic is also proud of the appointment of maestro Gabriel Bebechelea as chief conductor of the orchestra, with a three-year contract, which is of great importance for the qualitative development of the institution. Maestro Konrad van Alfen from the Netherlands also became an honorary guest conductor. Both made a great contribution to holding all the concerts with a program adapted for this situation.

The concert season began with a concert symbolically titled "Sound of Two Meters" (this is the title of the entire program for this season), conducted by the Philharmonic's chief conductor, maestro Gabriel Bebecelea from Romania. The soloists were the outstanding vocalists from Germany, Corby Welch (tenor) and Heike Wessels (soprano), and the program included the masterpiece "Songs of the Earth" by Gustav Mahler. Among the many concerts we will mention "Youth, Happiness, Future" with maestro Jeruham Sharovski from Israel and top cellist Daniele Akta, the traditional concert of the festival "Days of Macedonian Music" in collaboration with the Union of Composers of Macedonia, conducted by Sa , the fantastic concert "Spanish Dance" with maestro Emil Tabakov from Bulgaria.

Macedonian top pianist Dino Imeri, together with maestro Jeruham Sharovski as conductor, performed at the concert "Both body and soul", while the Philharmonic's birthday was celebrated with the concert "Collage", which featured top cellist Anastasia Koberigen from Russia -conductor Gabriel Bebechelea.

The year was rounded off with the traditional New Year's concert entitled "New Year - New Beginning" with maestro Gian Emin as conductor, in collaboration with the Association of Jazz Musicians of Macedonia. The Philharmonic continues to nurture quality music, and the next concert is on January 28 with conductor Borjan Canev and Anja Kolovska on accordion. The program includes the Concerto for Accordion and Orchestra "Aconcagua" by Astor Piazzolla, "Song and Dance" by Tome Manchev and "Orava" for string orchestra by Wojciech Kilar.

(The text was published in "Cultural Press" No. 64, in the print edition of "Free Press" on January 16-17, 2021)