Work

Programme Note

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:

Commissioned by New Zealand String Quartet by the New Zealand String Quartet by the Wellington Chamber Society, with financial support from Creative New Zealand

Difficulty:

Advanced

Dedication:

in honour of the 60th anniversary of Wellington Chamber Music Society

Funders:

• Creative New Zealand

Performance History

	01 May 2005	Premiered by the New Zealand String Quartet at the Ilott Theatre, Wellington
		New Zealand String Quartet
	31 Jan 2007	Performance by the New Zealand String Quartet
		New Zealand String Quartet
	15 Feb 2007	Performed by the New Zealand String Quartet
		New Zealand String Quartet
	08 Aug 2007	Performed by the New Zealand String Quartet
		New Zealand String Quartet
	10 Aug 2007	Performed by the New Zealand String Quartet
		New Zealand String Quartet
	13 Aug 2007	Performed by the New Zealand String Quartet
		New Zealand String Quartet
	14 Aug 2007	Performed by the New Zealand String Quartet
		New Zealand String Quartet
	16 Aug 2007	Performed by the New Zealand String Quartet
		New Zealand String Quartet
	18 Aug 2007	Performed by the New Zealand String Quartet
		New Zealand String Quartet
	20 Aug 2007	Performed by the New Zealand String Quartet
		New Zealand String Quartet
	21 Aug 2007	Performed by the New Zealand String Quartet
		New Zealand String Quartet
	23 Aug 2007	Performed by the New Zealand String Quartet
		New Zealand String Quartet
	25 Aug 2007	Performed by the New Zealand String Quartet
		New Zealand String Quartet
	01 Nov 2008	Performed by the New Zealand String Quartet as part of the European Tour 2008 at Marienforster Church, Bonn-Bad Godesberg, Bonn, Germany
		New Zealand String Quartet
	02 Nov 2008	Performed by the New Zealand String Quartet as part of the European Tour 2008 at Aula des Gymnasiums, Hueckelhoven Germany
		New Zealand String Quartet
	05 Nov 2008	Performed by the New Zealand String Quartet as part of the European Tour 2008 at Schouwburg, Deventer , Netherlands
		New Zealand String Quartet
	10 Nov 2008	Performed by the New Zealand String Quartet as part of the European Tour 2008 at Cowdray Hall, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
		New Zealand String Quartet
	12 Nov 2008	Performed by the New Zealand String Quartet as part of the European Tour 2008 at Queen’s Hall, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
		New Zealand String Quartet
	11 Jul 2011	Performed by the New Zealand String Quartet at Merchant Taylors’ Hall as part of the 2011 City of London Festival, in London
		New Zealand String Quartet
	30 Sep 2011	Performed by the New Zealand String Quartet at St Mary of the Angels Church, in Wellington
		New Zealand String Quartet