Two editions of the Ftakar concert and an album by the same name into the fray, Big Band Brothers are currently putting the very final touches to the third edition of Ftakar, their popular tribute to the Maltese songbook.

The concert will be held next Sunday as part of the 2013 Malta Arts Festival, and is once again expected to attract a full house.

“Following the positive response the Ftakar concerts drew, we had a good idea of how the album would be received,” says Daniel Cauchi, the voice and founder of this 18-piece big band project that has become a mainstay on the local music scene and beyond.

But what was it that sparked the idea to revisit the Maltese songbook in the first place?

“We realised people were still very interested in hearing songs sung in Maltese. To be honest, we were expecting the older generation to embrace the album, but to our surprise, there was just as positive a reaction from younger people, especially musicians from all kinds of genres.”

Launched as a new concept during the Malta Arts Festival, Ftakar was a more contemporary fixture compared to the festival’s more classically-inclined programme.

“The idea to incorporate something like Ftakar, which expanded our initial explorations into the Maltese songbook, presented a challenge. Being such a prestigious festival, we wanted to produce something that would live up to its high standard.”

Cauchi says it was crucial that they didn’t come across as a covers band. “Ftakar has never been about just covering Maltese songs,” he insists. “We wanted to get inside the songs, rearrange them and enhance their musicality, but without losing their defining melodies.”

Having centred last year’s edition around the work of Alfred C. Sant, Cauchi says this year the concert will be partly dedicated to the work of Prof. Joe Friggieri.

“That’s right, and we’ll also be involving the rock band Red Electrick this time around.”

The collaboration should yield some very interesting numbers, about which Cauchi will only reveal that there will be some innovative renditions on offer.

“The idea is to broaden our appeal even further. We want to reach that part of the audience that is simply there for an entertaining evening without alienating those people whose interest runs a little deeper.”

It is a balance that has worked well so far, and hopefully will bring to light more lesser-known tracks from the Maltese songbook alongside the evergreen favourites.

The Big Band Brothers will be performing Ftakar 3 at the Pjazza Teatru Rjal in Valletta on Sunday, as part of the Malta Arts Festival. The show starts at 9pm. Tickets are available online at www.ticketline.com.mt.

www.maltaartsfestival.org

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