I am extremely privileged to know Alma Ferović personally and to have heard her perform the song ‘Emina’ live. Alma has been kind enough to give me this exclusive interview along with never before published picture of her in the very beautiful and special town of Mostar, where her Sevdah ancestors lived and sung many years ago. Alma is a classically trained soprano singer and actress from Bosnia. In amongst many other artists Alma performed with one of the best selling artists of all time A. R. Rahman.
What’s the difference between singing sevdah and classical music?
Sevdah music definitely brings a different feel to the interpretation especially if the singer comes from the region where it is originated and its beautifully filled with deep emotions.
Although I am not a Sevdah singer, rather a Musical theatre performer, the technique I am using is adjusted slightly in terms of vibrato, ornaments and similar effects, but that Sevdah emotion is always highlighted.
I never tried to copy a traditional Sevdah singers, because this is not my genre.
I also think you need to be born for it.
In my opinion it’s something one can’t learn easily – one needs to live it.
Can you tell us more about your Sevdah singing track record so far?
My experience with Sevdah singing is mostly related to choirs and stylized Sevdah songs performed in harmonies.
There are popular Sevdah songs arranged for female choirs with traditional melody divided in 4 music lines or 4 voices, first and second soprano and first and second alto so it is different from a solo performer singing a Sevdah song.
My solo Sevdah performances preserve this interpretation, so I would say they come with touch of classical feel.
You come from a very special family (Emina). How has your heritage affected your artistic development?
It had a very big influence on my life of course and although Emina has many grandchildren I was somehow most connected to her and her story in the eyes of other people before I even got to understand how historical and special her figure was and still is.
I love the song about her and feel privileged I can sing it, but singing it brings big responsibility and sometimes it also gets difficult to perform it because I get very emotional.
I got many opportunities so far to sing the song because of the connection to Emina for it is in my heart and for this song only I can say I live it!
One day I will record my own version of the song Emina, I think it is my obligation to do so, but I don’t think I’m ready for it as yet.
What is the most important aspect of Sevdah in your opinion?
It’s a passionate love song that always touches people’s hearts no matter where they are from – I have personally experienced this.
Sevdah songs speak about different kinds of love for life, countries, romance, rivers, beauty and emotions in general and its melodies are very rich and full of ornaments, but when you listen to them somehow they seem very simple and enjoyable for the ears of anyone.
For Bosnia and Herzegovina Sevdah is like musical monument we all must be proud of!
Do you plan to do something purely Sevdah related in future?
The closest I got to Sevdah is the song I made in collaboration with British band ‘Fundamental’ when I composed and wrote lyrics for a song dedicated to Srebrenica and big human tragedy.
It is not a Sevdah song in its essence, but I believe it speaks Sevdah music language especially through the words.
Also, I collaborated with ‘Opera Circus’ theatre production and British composer, a wonderful professor Nigel Osbourne on their project ‘Sevdah opera’, which was a very important and interesting project inspired by Sevdah – the songs are introduced to the world through the contemporary classical sound.
I believe that although we need to keep our original Sevdah tradition going, it is also important to follow the world music development and perhaps include some Sevdah feel into it, when given the chance to create new and inspiring sounds.
This is very popular in world today with other music traditions, so why not be part of it?!
What do you think future of Sevdah looks like?
It’s difficult to say, but I hope in years to come it will always play an important part in our musical heritage and that new generations of singers will have strong interest in it and understanding that its like a rare kind of our own diamond in music that we need to cherish and carefully keep so it’s never lost and forgotten.
The way things are today in Bosnia and Herzegovina there are only few people who are serious about it and it’s quite sad that young people are not aware of it.
Who are the most significant Sevdah performers of today in your opinion and why?
I have been away for some time now, but I read about people like Amira Medunjanin and Damir Imamovic and I am very glad to know they treasure Sevdah in their own way.
However, I can tell you from the time when I toured the world in choir groups accompanied by wonderful Sevdah singers I admired people like Beba Selimovic, Nedzad Salkovic, Zehra Deovic, Emina Zecaj and Safet Isovic.
Their interpretations were as original as possible.
They treated Sevdalinka with massive respect and it was a pure pleasure to listen to them over and over again, day and night always wanting more.
It will take some time before new Himzo Polovina and Zaim Imamovic are born, if ever.
Those were the days of Sevdah and the best era of Sevdalinka.
Published on 12th October 2009