Interview for Women’s Magazine in Macedonia. Translated into English by Google. Original interview click HERE

Title:
"The greatest reward for me is when I feel sincere emotion in the listener's eyes"
On the successes of Macedonian clarinetist Blagoj Lamnjov, who works in Sweden
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Journalist:
From Veles to the world stage - the journey of musical adventurer, clarinetist Blagoj Lamnjov begins in his native Veles, then continues in Sweden and the USA, and is still ongoing at his Swedish address.

The story of the clarinet began when he was only 9 years old . This young boy's dream of playing the clarinet like his older brother is now a reality. In his family, music was more than a tradition — a true life value. What started as a love for folk and folk music grew into a courageous life journey that would take him from Macedonian weddings to large concert halls.

Blagoj Lamnjov in the first person for Women's Magazine...

- In the spring of 1992, I took the entrance exam at the music school in Veles. I was nine years old. I wanted to play the clarinet, like my older brother Kiril. Our parents and their parents are our musical roots. In our family, music was very important, and we had great respect, especially for original and modern folk music, which at that time had a different form.

At the same time, I also started attending a children's folklore group. It was this parallel study of two very different musical genres that awakened the artistic spirit in me in my early teens. Those were wonderful years.

At the age of fifteen, that important and beautiful chapter ended, and I started a new one — at the secondary music school in Shtip. It was very interesting that in Shtip I immediately entered the wedding scene. I played a lot, the music groups loved me. In the meantime, I traveled on many tours with the folklore ensemble "Vila Zora" from my native Veles.

Those four high school years passed, after which I enrolled at the Faculty of Music in Skopje. I continued to play weddings, but they no longer fulfilled me spiritually, and at the same time I had some unpleasant feeling and discomfort in Skopje. I wondered what I wanted to do in the future and what kind of person I wanted to develop into, without fear and society influencing my decision. So, I bravely interrupted my studies after the second year and immediately in September, at the age of 21, I started all over again — at the University of Lund, in Sweden.

Imagine, in Macedonia I already had a career in the wedding field and a comfortable life (financially speaking), but I left all that for a mixture of reasons: I wanted a calm and honest society, I wanted to learn to play classical music the way the West plays, and most of all I dreamed of a sense of freedom. My unusual adventurous spirit and the desire to feel like a citizen of the world, and to experience the world as if it was very small — as my hometown Veles was, helped me a lot in this brave decision. That's why I later moved and studied in the United States. I was extremely curious, like a two- or three-year-old child.

Journalist:
Every move from one country to another brings with it a certain fear of what awaits us there, of the unknown. Blagoj experienced moving to Sweden as the greatest blessing. The mentality of the people there is completely different from the Balkans, he says, "quality is not measured by how arrogant and self-confident one behaves and speaks."

Blagoj:
- Many things in Sweden were different and very interesting to me. The honesty of people and their behavior towards each other was something that amazed me. In a discussion between two people, the one who was louder and more confident did not win, but the one who calmly and with facts would prove why he was right. They do not confuse fact with personal opinion, and they do not confuse quality with personal taste. No one acted, as we say in Macedonia, "cocky", and at the same time quality was not measured by how cocky and self-confident they behaved and spoke. On the contrary, such people were not desired either by their colleagues or by the female sex.

I found it very interesting that in Sweden everyone addresses everyone by name and does not insult them (even a student to the dean), maintaining full respect. For the first time in my life I heard a professor say: “I don’t know, I’ll learn by the next lecture, then I’ll tell you.” I was very well received. I saw that the Swedish people are not cold, but only emotionally stable and wise. They are perhaps the wisest nation I have ever met. I got a taste of, as they call it, the Land of Welfare. At the same time, I was very warmly received. I even received scholarships, for whose applications, by the way, Swedish students helped me – even though I was their competition. One student even lent me a clarinet for a few months, and the solo clarinetist at the Gothenburg Opera almost gave me a new clarinet. And in the fourth semester, my professor Anders Oberg, who works at the Malmö Opera, took me to work there for three whole months – to get a taste of what it's like and how much I could learn from it.

Journalist:
After moving, nostalgia was his roommate. But that didn't make him return to Macedonia, on the contrary, those feelings made him think creatively about new music. His first album Nostalgic Love is a symbiosis of classical and traditional music, which has that recognizable Macedonian thread.

Blagoj:
- The biggest challenges were the change in my lifestyle and the lack of professional engagements. Nostalgia was really biting me, which is actually one of the reasons for the development of my playing style. In fact, my first album, Nostalgic Love, was conceived during my first semester in Sweden, although I finished and recorded it 14 years later.

It was very uncertain. I moved to Sweden with the aim of not only studying, but also building a new, healthier, more productive and happier lifestyle – without seeking happiness in bohemian parties all day and night, as I had in Macedonia. I had a goal, I had a plan, and I was very curious. I spent about 12 hours a day at university, and in addition to my education, I greedily “stole” characteristics from people whose behavior I appreciated.

It was very difficult and uncertain, and even I myself was not sure if this was really what I wanted. Only one thought gave me patience: "Macedonia is here, my home and my parents are there. I can go back at any time. Let's try here, day after day, year after year. I will treat all of this as something temporary."

And that patience worked wonders. But I have to admit that now that I look back – if I could go back in time, I wouldn't do this again.

Journalist:
He translated his nostalgia for his homeland into music. Racin's poetry served as inspiration, and Macedonian folklore and native instruments as tools that he used in creating original music for the two albums "Nostalgic Love 1 and 2".

Blagoj:
- The maturation took place – and still takes place – day by day, so unfortunately I can't enjoy my albums when I listen to them. I'm still maturing and learning. It was a long and slow process of building my tone and style that has been going on for 20 years, similar to when you look at yourself in the mirror every day and you don't notice that you're getting older.

Now, my tone and playing style are my greatest asset – spiritually and materially. The way I play now compared to before I moved to Sweden is like from here to the moon. I get comments like: “you have revealed a new dimension of the clarinet to me.” The albums are also listened to by people who have never been interested in instrumental clarinet music before.

Besides the clarinetist and artist in me, another topic is the maturation of the music producer in me. And my third role is the producer of this entire project, who thinks about literally every detail. I knew exactly how I wanted my albums to sound and I was not "lost" in that whole process, simply put. I didn't want to involve another producer, I didn't want someone to spoil my work and make it sound against my will.

In all of this, Swedish society helped me a lot, showing me that we shouldn't compete to be the loudest, most energetic, "biggest dude" etc. The person I transformed into helped me start everything I do – to do it for myself, without competition with people, without pressure from society and without hesitation. I could safely say that my reworkings of Macedonian folk songs sound the way I felt Swedish society when I moved. They accurately describe that tame system. I don't even play at concerts to impress the audience. They are just an inspiration for me to reveal to them what's going on inside me. Many people have confessed to me that they cried during a concert or while listening to my albums.

Journalist:
When creating original music, each note carries a piece of the artist's heart and soul. This is exactly the approach of clarinetist Blagoj, who uses his instrument to create unique musical works woven with a folkloric thread. For him, the greatest value of music is its power to reach people – to awaken sincere emotions and leave a mark in the listener's soul.

Blagoj:
- The famous and legendary jazz saxophonist John Coltrane once said: "The emotional reaction in the listener is all I need."

The same is most important to me, and I'm sure to many true artists. That's the greatest reward – when I feel a sincere emotional reaction in the eyes of the listener.

The Swedish audience commented that I had revealed a new image of Macedonian and Balkan music to them. In general, they are quite familiar with loud and club music from the Balkans, intended for entertainment, which is certainly a very important part of our culture. But I did something different with our music. When I play them a song that they have already heard, then they can recognize the difference and the weight of what I am doing. There were comments like: “It is so beautiful, it even hurts.” That was said by the Swedish musician and actress Sofia Berg Böhm. That is what is worth living for, what is worth continuing for, even in (financially) difficult times.

Journalist:
The titles of the instrumental compositions from the second album of clarinetist Blagoj were not chosen by chance – they carry a depth that stems directly from his emotions and current inner states. The process of creating music for him is an intimate act, and he often finds inspiration in old photographs, which take him back in time, reminding him of forgotten feelings and personal moments. Each note becomes a testimony to some of his inner story.

Blagoj:
- Of course! It's always exciting to talk about this topic (laughs).
It’s like this: The melody and the performance in my songs are two different things – the performance is what carries the weight and emotions. Stories and secrets are hidden in my tone. I achieve those nuances thanks to the fact that I am professionally trained in both classical and Macedonian folklore music. When I am in good shape, the song takes on a deeper shape from the very beginning – then I can freely convey the feelings in the tone itself.

The creative process begins by pushing myself into the mood I need. Sometimes I use old photos or listen to poetry, like Racin's love verses, to get into the right mood. When I feel like I'm "inside," I improvise and record music that I need to hear at that moment, in order to help myself and express what I'm feeling. Sometimes a whole song is born from that improvisation, and it doesn't require anything more.

The title doesn’t always have to be related to the person who inspired me to create the song – especially when the inspiration came from multiple people or when the song was created over a longer period of time, sometimes two or three years. But in the end, when I listen to it, I decide which period, event or person I will connect the title to. Sometimes it appears while I’m still working on the song, and sometimes – only after it’s completely finished. The albums are available on all music platforms, including YouTube.

Journalist:
Although he performs occasionally at the Malmö Opera, clarinetist Lamnjov is regularly engaged thanks to the constant demand for his instrument. One of the more interesting parts of his career is the collaboration with Cirkus Cirkor and the Malmö Opera in the production of "Circus Days and Nights". He is particularly pleased with the performances for children, which, as he says, bring him special joy and creative freedom.

Blagoj:
- I am not permanently employed at the Malmö Opera, but I am lucky that since 2013, they have needed more clarinetists in-house almost every year. I have engagements almost every year, for about 4-5 months. Here I have experienced many interesting things that typical classical clarinetists working in symphony orchestras rarely experience (of course, they have their own rare experiences too).

One of them is the circus show you mentioned. It was something very cool – something that until then I had only seen on television. Such acrobats and circus artists from all over the world were now in front of me, and I was part of the team on stage. I especially love the children's shows, which are attended by thousands of children from Malmö and the surrounding cities. It is a wonderful and very important act for society. That's when a team working in that institution deeply understands the role of artists and cultural institutions and their need in our society.

Journalist:
Clarinetist Blagoj has a dynamic agenda filled with musical engagements, but his main goal is to bring his music closer to a wider European audience. Participation in renowned European festivals is the next step in his career. However, in order to realize his ideas and ambitions, Blagoj points out that he needs a manager who deeply understands his music and knows how to present it in the right way to the European stage.

Blagoj:
- I am preparing for my three-day workshop in Sarajevo (Bosnia and Herzegovina) this fall, as well as for a concert in Pula (Istria) where I will play as a soloist with the local brass band. Right now, I am sincerely trying to find a way to break the ice at major music events across Europe – music festivals, influential music magazines, recording studios, etc. I am looking for a sincere fan from Macedonia, who sincerely feels the power of what I do, and secondly – ​​has an instinct for management. I need help to achieve this. It is very difficult to break through with music from a small country, whose culture and aesthetics the West knows very little about. That is why I need someone who is, above all, emotionally connected to my music, so that he can represent me around the world with great confidence and enthusiastic spirit.

I get a lot of help from Sweden, as much as possible, but I think that the weight of what I do can be most easily recognized by a Macedonian – someone who knows our music and recognizes exactly what I can do. The world is flooded with bands that play Macedonian music, some extremely well and some quite badly. That is why I feel a responsibility to take up space at all those big musical events and to convey to the audience a different musical information and image of us. In addition to all this, I am also preparing my third album, and I hope that it will be ready for recording in 2-3 years.

Journalist:
Clarinetist Blagoj Lamnjove is clear in his artistic philosophy – the music he creates is a personal expression and he does not make it with the intention of sharing it with others. “I have no desire to share it, not even with a megastar,” he says, emphasizing that in order to accept collaboration, there must be a strong human connection and meaning. For him, creativity is an intimate process, free from external influences and expectations.

Blagoj:
- So far, I have not invited a Macedonian musician to participate in my albums. I have been invited to joint projects, but so far I have not accepted. What I do, I do for myself, and I have no need or desire to share it with anyone else, even if they are a megastar. I have to have a good reason and the person means something to me in order to decide to collaborate with them. For example, at my big concert in Veles last year, I invited four of my fellow musicians from Veles to appear as guests, just because I wanted them to be people who are important to me in my life. I cannot deny the fact that I learn and get inspired by Macedonian artists, actors, writers and others, starting with Kocho Racin.

Journalist:
Although his life is filled with music, concerts and rehearsals, when he finds free time, Blagoj dedicates it to simple, but extremely meaningful moments. He travels most often, and that – without a pre-planned agenda. He says that it is precisely such spontaneous trips that bring him true freedom and inspiration. And when he's in Macedonia, he happily indulges in nostalgia. He never misses watching an old children's series or cartoon on MRT 5 – content that "smells" of a beautiful and carefree childhood.

Blagoj:
- I love traveling by train through Europe, spontaneously and without a strict plan. I start from home Malmö, Sweden, towards Macedonia, but along the way I decide where I will stop for some days, so that I can get home after 2-3 weeks, and sometimes even later. Simply backpacking. 

I love texting and video chatting with my dearest people in the world. The last few winters I've started staying all winter in places with snow and ski resorts, and I ski almost every day. In the warmer months I go to the Adriatic Sea and stay for 2-3 months, meeting tourists, playing sports, practicing my clarinet, working on my next album, and spending 1-2 hours on the beach.

When I'm home in Malmö, I love watching a movie and a cartoon from my childhood almost every day, and when I'm home in Macedonia, I mostly sit at home and enjoy the programming offered by the children's channel of the Macedonian Radio Television, MRT 5, which I recommend to everyone, by the way!

I also train Japanese karate, which has been my great passion since childhood.

Journalist:
Last year, clarinetist Blagoj held his first solo concert in his hometown – Veles. The event was filled with emotions, but also with nostalgia, because, as he says, the city today is not the same without the people who once made it alive – many have moved away. But the memories still live on – hidden somewhere among the old Veles alleys, where time, at least in his mind, still flows more slowly. For him, Veles remains a symbol of a happy and carefree society, which, although changed, continues to be a quiet inspiration in his music.

Blagoj:
- I don't have a strict schedule for trips to Macedonia – they happen spontaneously, as I said above. And what do I miss… Honestly, when I'm in Sweden, I miss certain periods of my life in Macedonia, as well as the people from those times. When I come back to Macedonia, I search for all those memories, but I realize that those memories are actually in the people, who, unfortunately, a large part of them have moved to other countries. The absence of those people makes the city foreign to me. I realize that the nostalgia is not for Veles but for the life in Veles that we had 25 years ago. The only thing that comforts me is the soul that the old alleys in Veles have, full of memories. I miss the time we had at the Pioneer House (Youth Center) terribly. It's very strange that I also miss things from the past that were not particularly nice to me. I miss the happy and carefree society.

Journalist: Gabriela Dodevska Gligorovska