Q1: Macedonian GDP up 5.1%

The Macedonian economy expanded by a real 5.1% on the year in the first quarter of 2011 compared to a revised annual drop of 0.5% a year ago, preliminary statistical data sowed on Friday. 

Macedonia's gross domestic product (GDP) in the first quarter totalled 102.601 billion denars ($2.34 billion/1.66 billion euro) in current prices, the country's statistics office said in a statement.

Pianist Trpceski wraps up Concert season in Australia, New Zealand

Pianist Simon Trpceski wrapped up his latest series of performances across Great Britain with last night's concert at the Midsummer Music Festival.

The highly-successful concert season 2010/2011 will be concluded with performances in Australia and New Zealand.

"I'm happy to be able to perform before Australian audiences for the fourth time in Melbourne and Adelaide. The second leg of the tour resumes in New Zealand with several concerts together with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, Trpceski told the Macedonian Radio.

In the frameworks of the tour, the Macedonian pianist will hold a seminar at the University of Auckland, where he will hold his last concert on July 15. The tour "Down Under" starts with a concert in Clayton, Australia on June 24.

A second CD of Trpceski's collaboration with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra has been released recently.

The first CD was awarded with the French prestigious international recognition "Golden Diapason", whereas it secure the third spot at the British classical music chart.