The famous music ensemble of this part of Europe ”Mostar Sevdah Reunion” has recorded, in the honour of famous BiH poet Aleksa Šantić, a video for a song ”Što te nema” ( Why aren’t you here).
The video was published on the 89th anniversary of poet’s death, which was marked two days ago. The song ”Što te nema” is in the new album ”Tales From a Forgotten City”, which should soon be publishe in Europe.
The album was dedicated to great poets of Mostar Aleksa Šantić and Osman Đikić, and the legend of sevdah Himzo Polovina.
Mostar Sevdah Reunion is a musical ensemble from Mostar, playing almost exclusively sevdalinka which is characterized by a slow or moderate tempo and rich harmony, leaving a melancholic feeling with the listener. Sevdalinka songs are very elaborate, emotionally charged and are traditionally sung with passion and fervours. The combination of Oriental, European and Sephardic elements make this type of music stand out among other types of folk music from the Balkans. The band is composed of experienced musicians and often collaborates with renowned musicians in the field of gypsy music: they made two albums with Šaban Bajramović and two albums with Ljiljana Buttler.
The band was formed by Dragi Šestić in Mostar in 1998. It started out as a group of local, talented and experienced musicians. They were old friends who came together again in summer 1999 for to record their first album.
Their first CD was released 1999. Since then they became popular with world music audiences, performing at various world music festivals and receiving a number of music awards.