History of Music in Montenegro

The Montenegro music symbolizes a combination of the country’s distinctive musical custom and the western musical influences.

source of picture: www.visit-montenegro.com

During the 10^th and 11^th centuries a composer of the religious chants known as Jovan of Dujlja was the oldest composer popular from the Adriatic region.  During the end of the 12^th century a script was created, which is now known as Ljetopis Popa Dukljanina which illustrated the secular use of musical instruments.

Seven of the liturgies from the 15^th century, was written by a Venetian publisher L.A Giunta, which has been documented in St. Clara religious foundation in Koto. During those centuries the usual music Venetian pattern was brought to coastal Montenegro (then known as Albanian Veneta).

Religious music establishment was flashed during the 19^th century, when a Catholic singing school was opened in Kotor. And also until the musical rebirth of the 20^th century, Montenegrin music was primarily based on the simple folk instrument, the gusle. The oldest of the singing society is known as Jedinstvo (Unity) was created in Kotor in the year 1839. In the 1870 in Cetinje, the first Montenegrin Army music began being created, though not many people via for the group, because being a solider was much more respected in Montenegrin society than being artist.

Many researchers agree that the biggest contribution of Montenegrin music was the one from the Italian composer who spent much time of his life in that area: Dionisio de Sarno San Giorgio. With his Balkan ruler that encouraged the composition of King Nikola that got all the praises of the Italian analysis in the second half of the 19^th century.

The first musical school in Montenegro was created in the year 1934 in Cetinje. Borislav Tamindzic assisted bring interest to Montenegrin music in the 20^th century.