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Every culture produces distinctive folk music, often born of dance (jigs and polkas) or inspired by nature. In this special, we'll hear never-before recorded folk tunes from three contrasting countries and cultures: Iran, Venezuela and Ukraine/Russia, composed or arranged by composers from these locations. Professional musicians from the respective countries perform these intersections of folk and classical music. Ines Guanchez hosts.
Playlist
- From One Land to the Other for viola and piano – Setareh Shafii (Iran) This piece is a traditional Iranian instrumental improvisation transcribed for viola and piano by Setareh Shafii, an Iranian woman composer who is currently based in the United Kingdom. The piece has never been recorded before but has enjoyed successful premiere performances in Minnesota by violist Niloofar Sohi, specifically at the Ordway Concert Hall.
- Skazki (Fairy Tales) for piano – Aida Isakova (Ukraine/Russia) A piano cycle of short pieces called ‘Skazki,’ or fairy tales, composed by Aida Isakova, an educator, composer and pianist born in present day Ukraine during the Soviet Union. The pieces in this cycle touch upon Russian/Ukrainian folklore and stories for children. So far, there are only two recordings of her music in existence, not including this set.
- Quitapesares (Weightlifter/Relief) for violin and piano – Carlos Bonet, Arr. By Alfonso Lopez (Venezuela) The piece is a famous Joropo Llanero from Venezuela, composed by a Venezuelan composer and conductor named Carlos Bonet and arranged for violin and piano by Alfonso Lopez, renown Venezuelan violinist. The genre Joropo is a dance with African, Native South American and European influences that is considered to be Venezuela’s most popular dance genre. Although Lopez has performed the piece at a concert at Thomas University in Georgia, it has never been recorded in high-quality audio.