(b. 1949, Mitrovica).
Kosovar composer of mostly orchestral, chamber, choral, and vocal works that have been performed in Europe.
Prof. Rudi initially studied at a music high school in Prishtina, then studied composition and conducting with Predrag Milošević at the Academy of Arts in Belgrade, where he graduated in composition in 1973 and in conducting in 1974. He then had postgraduate studies with Vojin Komadina in Sarajevo, where he earned his master's degree, and studied composition with Claude Ballif in Paris for one year.
Among his honours are First Prize at the BEMUS Festival in Belgrade (1974, for Simfonia në dy blloqe – Symphony in Two Blocks), two prizes from the Composers Society of Kosovo (Annual Award, 1978, for Rrojtja – Living; First Prize, 1989, in the vocal–instrumental category), two prizes from Radio Television Prishtina (RTP) (First Prize, 1979, for Metamorphosis; First Prize, 1988, for Unwithered Flower), First Prize at a festival for vocal music in Tiranë (1993, for Return), four prizes from the Ministry of Culture of Kosovo in Prishtina (First Prize in the annual competition, 2011, for Laudate Dominum; First Prize in the annual competition, 2012, for Fantasia Concertante; First Prize in the annual competition, 2013, for Quartet; Niketë Dardani Prize, 2021, for his œuvre), and membership in the European Academy of Sciences and Arts. His music has been performed in Albania, Croatia, France, Kosovo, the Netherlands, Russia, Slovenia, Switzerland, and the UK.
He is also active in other positions. He has written many articles and books on criticism and musical pedagogy, with several essays collected in the theoretical book Sprova estetike – Aesthetic Essay (2002, Dukagjini). He founded the orchestra of RTP and served as its first conductor. He later conducted the choir of RTP from 1980–87 and has served as permanent conductor of its successor, the Kosovo Philharmonic Choir, since 2006. He founded the Kosovar Centre for New Music in Prishtina in 1999 and has served as its director since 1999. He founded the festival for contemporary music ReMusica in Prishtina in 2002.
He has lectured on musical form at the Universiteti i Prishtinës in Prishtina since 1976.
He is the father of the composer Donika Rudi.
SELECT LIST OF WORKS
ORCHESTRAL:
Simfonia në dy blloqe, 1974
Kohë koncertante, 1975
Symphonic Rondo, 1977
Metamorfoza, flute, string orchestra, 1977
Rrojtja, guitar, string orchestra, 1978, revised 1982
Concerto, guitar, string orchestra, 1986
Dialog koncertant, flute, orchestra, 2010
CHAMBER MUSIC:
Sonata for Violin and Piano, violin, piano, 1970
Variazioni, clarinet, violin, piano, 1971
Kuartet Harqesh, string quartet, 1972
Meditime – Meditations, flute, piano, 1977
Petite Suite, violin, piano, 1981
Sonata, guitar, 1984
Fantasia in si, violin, piano, 1985
Prélude et Étude, guitar, 1992
Këmbanat Arbëreshe, clarinet, fixed media, 1996
Étude, percussion, 1997
Chansons et Danses, guitar, 1998
Dialogjet e humbura, flute, violin, viola, cello, fixed media, 2000
Five Sketches, cello, 2001
Rêve nostalgique, violin, fixed media, 2003
Song of Tana, clarinet, piano, 2005
Quintet, 'Antigoneon', flute, clarinet, bassoon, violin, piano, 2005
Un Souffle de chagrin, 4 saxophones, 2008
Quartet, flute, E-flat clarinet, clarinet, bassoon, 2010
CHORAL:
Lagja e varfun, mixed chorus, 1968
Star, mixed chorus, 1969
Udhëtimi sonor – Aural Travel, mixed chorus, 1969
Fli Vellaqko, children's chorus, 1977
Gjyshja, children's chorus, 1977
Gëzoni, children's chorus, 1977
Këngë punëtorësh, children's chorus, 1977
Pasaporta e dacit, children's chorus, 1978
Një tokë, një kokë – One Land, One Head, children's chorus, 1978
Zogu I diellit, soprano, mixed chorus, 2 French horns, 2 trombones, double bass, piano, timpani, percussion, 1981
Harabeli, children's chorus, 1982
Kur buzëqesh nëna ime, children's chorus, 1982
Karkaleci, children's chorus, 1982
Varri i pionerit trim, children's chorus, 1983
Dy kunata – Two Sisters-in-Law, mixed chorus, 1983
Flijimi, soloist, mixed chorus, 2 recorders, 3 folk flutes, double bass, organ, timpani, tam-tam, 1983
Kënga e pionerit trim, children's chorus, 1984
ABC, tenor, mixed chorus, piano, organ, 1984
Icare ubi es, soprano, mixed chorus, double bass, piano, timpani, tam-tam, 1987
Aksionistët, mixed chorus, piano, 1989
Afresku Arbëresh, soloist, 8 mixed voices, piano 4 hands, organ, fixed media, 1992
Luante si qengj, children's chorus, 1992
O zemra ime ku vate, soloist, mixed chorus, 1993
Gurgullimë, mixed chorus, fixed media, 2000
Agnus Dei, mixed chorus, 2007
Malli i udhëtarit të humbur, soprano, mezzo-soprano, speaker, mixed chorus, piano 4 hands, fixed media, 2008
Humoreska, mixed chorus, electric piano, marimba, 2008
Kurr më s'do marrësh udhët e kurbetit, soloist, mixed chorus, 2008
Laudate Dominum, soloist, mixed chorus, 2 pianos, percussion, 2011
Fantasia koncertante, mixed chorus, violin, 2012
VOCAL:
Kthimi, mezzo-soprano, piano, 1993
Arbëresh Song, soprano, piano, 2011
PIANO:
Suite, 1969
Prishtina Blues, 2001
Le Tombeau oublié, 2007
Etydë nr. 2, 2008