Work
Kartsigar
for string quartet
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About
Both movements of this work began as transcriptions of recorded performances by two of Greece's living master-musicians, clarino player Manos Achalinotopoulos and percussionist Vagelis Karypis. The Transcriptions are based on two separate recordings of a traditional taximi entitled Kartsigar. Taximia form part of an oral tradition in which improvisation played an important role. Songs would begin with an instrumental prelude, the taximi, where a musican showed off his prowess. This set the mood for the song to follow, and could last for as long as twenty minutes.
The taximi Kartsigar comprises two elements, an ostinato and the improvised melody. The melody forms the basis of the first movement of the quartet, and the ostinato forms the basis of the second.
Commissioned note
Commissioned by New Zealand String Quartet by the New Zealand String Quartet by the Wellington Chamber Society, with financial support from Creative New Zealand
Dedication note
in honour of the 60th anniversary of Wellington Chamber Music Society
Contents note
two movements
Performance history
01 May 2005: Premiered by the New Zealand String Quartet at the Ilott Theatre, Wellington
31 Jan 2007: Performance by the New Zealand String Quartet
15 Feb 2007: Strings and Things
07 Aug 2007: Chamber Music NZ Celebrity Season: NZSQ and Carniero
09 Aug 2007: Chamber Music NZ Celebrity Season: NZSQ and Carniero
12 Aug 2007: Chamber Music NZ Celebrity Season: NZSQ and Carniero
13 Aug 2007: Chamber Music NZ Celebrity Season: NZSQ and Carniero
15 Aug 2007: Chamber Music NZ Celebrity Season: NZSQ and Carniero
18 Aug 2007: Performed by the New Zealand String Quartet
20 Aug 2007: Performed by the New Zealand String Quartet
21 Aug 2007: Performed by the New Zealand String Quartet
23 Aug 2007: Performed by the New Zealand String Quartet
25 Aug 2007: Performed by the New Zealand String Quartet
01 Nov 2008: NZSQ European Tour 2008: Concert 5
02 Nov 2008: NZSQ European Tour 2008: Concert 6
05 Nov 2008: NZSQ European Tour 2008: Concert 7
10 Nov 2008: NZSQ European Tour 2008: Concert 8
12 Nov 2008: NZSQ European Tour 2008: Concert 9
11 Jul 2011: New Zealand String Quartet & Jonathan Lemalu
30 Sep 2011: New Zealand String Quartet and Friends: Seven Strings by Candlelight
Performed by the New Zealand String Quartet
Performed by the New Zealand String Quartet
Performed by the New Zealand String Quartet
Performed by the New Zealand String Quartet