Nexhmije Pagarusha Baresha Composer -

Abstract: Baresha (The Shepherdess) is one of the most iconic songs in Albanian popular music, indelibly associated with the legendary singer Nexhmije Pagarusha (1933–2020). Despite its status as a national classic, the song’s compositional origins remain ambiguous, often misattributed or debated. This paper examines the recorded authorship of Baresha , Pagarusha’s interpretative role, and the broader context of folk-inspired composition in 20th-century Kosovo.

Nexhmije Pagarusha, Rexho Mulliqi, Baresha , Albanian folk music, Kosovo music history. Suggested citation: (2024). “The Enigma of Baresha : Nexhmije Pagarusha, Folk Modernism, and the Question of Authorship.” Journal of Balkan Music Studies , 8(1), 45–47. nexhmije pagarusha baresha composer

While Mulliqi provided the structure, Pagarusha’s performance—particularly her ornamentation, subtle vibrato, and emotional restraint—transformed the piece. Her 1965 recording for Radio Pristina became the definitive version. Pagarusha often introduced melismatic variations not notated in Mulliqi’s original score, effectively acting as a co-creator in the oral tradition. Abstract: Baresha (The Shepherdess) is one of the