Today we sit down with one of the world’s greatest living accordionists - Rusmir Piknjač - who shares both his life story and some of his amazing work. Born in Sarajevo, he recounts the trauma of Yugoslavia’s disintegration and the terrible war that ensued. A refugee, he spent time in both Austria and Australia where, relying on his musical talent, he worked from the ground up to build a livelihood for his young family: a path that led from busking on the streets of Sydney to eventually setting up the renowned Aria music school there.
In 2004, a sudden brain aneurism (that briefly left him clinically dead) caused him to reconsider his life and look at things from a different perspective. Soon thereafter he relocated back to his homeland, where he set up a sister school to Aria. He believes in the power of music to unite people, drive multiculturalism and build hope for the future of all humanity.
Links
Russo’s latest project – SASEVC – a violin competition, launched this year, that focuses on uncovering gifted young musicians – www.sasevc.malimozart.com
Russo's two music schools in Sarajevo and Sydney
www.malimozart.com
www.ariamusic.com.au
The two pieces of music featured on the podcast:
1) Gankino Horo (Russo/Mirza)
2) Le Rindovani (Salzburg)
A Pint With Seaniebee
Top 12 Best New Podcast Series of 2016: http://tinyurl.com/gps9tn5
Top 50 Best Podcast Episodes of 2016: http://tinyurl.com/hp83rnw
Release date: August 10th 2017
Runtime: 40m
Recorded: Sarajevo
