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Work


Kartsigar

for string quartet

Year:  2005   ·  Duration:  17m

Year:  2005
Duration:  17m

Composer:   John Psathas

Films, Audio & Samples

John Psathas: Kartsigar; (p...

External video
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John Psathas: Kartsigar; (p...

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John Psathas: Kartsigar; film

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Sample Audio

Sample: 0'00" - 1'00"

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To borrow items or hire parts please email SOUNZ directly at info@sounz.org.nz.

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


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