Petros Shoujounian, an Armenian/Canadian composer has written Twelve Duos for Trumpets based on the folksong collection of the Armenian priest Komitas, known as the founder of the Armenian national school of music and one of the pioneers of ethnomusicology. Below are comments from the composer about his inspiration in writing these Twelve Duos for Trumpets.

My interest in the collected works of Komitas's ethnographical songs was aroused when I was introduced to Bela Bartok's similar works followed by Alan Hovhaness's huge creative world. Bartok completed his project having at his disposal a large collection of ethnographic music, while Hovhannes studied the wealth of Komitas's music with great interest. It is difficult to say to what extent the Armenian underpinning of Hovhannes's works is nurtured by Komitas's musical world, but his classical interpretation of the Armenian ethnographical music created a huge interest in the listener. Needless to say, there is also Aram Katchaturian's legacy, which at its core has the ardent presence of the Armenian spirit, nurtured by Komitas's very existence.

Komitas has left a collection of about 3,000 cleaned versions of the ethnographic song and dance pieces, of which 1,700 has reaches us, about 400 of which have been activated. I believe that in those beautiful musical fragments reside the power to be revived, once we enrich them with colorful musical instruments and unbounded polyphonic imagination.

This is the motivation behind my own work and these Twelve Duos for Trumpets: to make the essence of our ethnographic music accessible through Komitas.

These Twelve Duos are appropriate for advanced performers and are written for C Trumpets, B-flat Trumpets, Cornets, B-flat Piccolo Trumpets, and Flugelhorns.

Petros Shoujounian, an Armenian/Canadian composer has written Twelve Duos for Trombones based on the folksong collection of the Armenian priest Komitas, known as the founder of the Armenian national school of music and one of the pioneers of ethnomusicology. Below are comments from the composer about his inspiration in writing these Twelve Duos for Trombones.

My interest in the collected works of Komitas's ethnographical songs was aroused when I was introduced to Bela Bartok's similar works followed by Alan Hovhaness's huge creative world. Bartok completed his project having at his disposal a large collection of ethnographic music, while Hovhannes studied the wealth of Komitas's music with great interest. It is difficult to say to what extent the Armenian underpinning of Hovhannes's works is nurtured by Komitas's musical world, but his classical interpretation of the Armenian ethnographical music created a huge interest in the listener. Needless to say, there is also Aram Katchaturian's legacy, which at its core has the ardent presence of the Armenian spirit, nurtured by Komitas's very existence.

Komitas has left a collection of about 3,000 cleaned versions of the ethnographic song and dance pieces, of which 1,700 have reaches us, about 400 of which have been activated. I believe that in those beautiful musical fragments reside the power to be revived, once we enrich them with colorful musical instruments and unbounded polyphonic imagination.

This is the motivation behind my own work and these Twelve Duos for Trombones: to make the essence of our ethnographic music accessible through Komitas.

These Twelve Duos are appropriate for advanced performers and may be performed on Alto, Tenor, and Bass Trombones.

El Noi de la Mare (The Child of the Mother) is a traditional Catalan Christmas song. Here it is arranged for solo Cello in the key of G major. The melody has been harmonized and elaborated upon. The tune is played first with the bow with some left hand pizzicato, and then strummed with pizzicato. The famous guitar arrangement by Miguel Llobet has served as inspiration. This arrangement has many chords and some artifical harmonics, and is suitable for advanced players. It would make a good piece for a solo recital or encore.

The Ukrainian folk music is an immense source of inspiration, particularly the ritual songs, which represent the deepest, and therefore the most valuable layer of a nation?s creativity. The arrangement belongs to the early works of the composer. Therefore, someone may be surprised with the quite freely form interpretation of the work. This, however, by no way makes the composition less interesting. Rather on the contrary, weird music images and sudden changes of the tempo may draw attention of both, those who prefer ?light? pop or jazz music, and those who is fond of contemporary academic style. The Ukrainian title of the song is just an allegorical expression that has no particular meaning. This expression can be only quite approximately translated into English as ?Cuckoo?, that?s why I didn?t display this translation in the English version of the work?s title. The PDF-file contains 11 pages (main score 4, parts ? 4 pages, cover and the title page). Fingering is indicated where appropriate. Duration: approx. 3.44 min.

Appalachia Waltz MO103A

Appalachia Waltz adapted for two violins by Mark O?Connor

Score (parts available)

Music by Mark O?Connor

6 pages - 6:30 minutes in length



Appalachia Waltz by Mark O?Connor is the title track from the album featuring O?Connor, Yo-Yo Ma, and Edgar Meyer. The Sony Classical release debuted and then stayed for several months at the No.1 position on Billboard Magazine?s Classical music chart. O?Connor originally composed the piece as a solo for unaccompanied violin in 1993. For the recording with Ma in 1996, O?Connor and Meyer re-arranged the waltz for violin, cello and doublebass. As it currently appears in this manuscript, O?Connor adapts the instrumentation for two violins. ?Appalachia Waltz? might well be one of Mark O?Connor?s most-loved compositions. It utilizes musical inspiration from Scandinavian and Appalachian folk fiddling, while crafted into a classical music setting. The music is suited for advanced and intermediate levels.



Original music printed from the composer?s manuscripts.

Music editing, copying and engraving by Mark O?Connor

using ?Finale? on Apple Macintosh 1993



Composed By Mark O?Connor

Originally released on ?Appalachia Waltz? featuring Mark O'Connor, Yo-Yo Ma and Edgar Meyer, Sony Classical

Can be heard on ?Duo? OMAC Records

https://omacrecords.com/omac-21-duo

Other versions can be heard on Mark O'Connor's "Crossing Bridges" OMAC Records and ?The Essential Mark O?Connor? Sony Classical