Taksimi on an Armenian lament

 

Taksimi is the oriental equivalent to the western term of musical improvisation. Usually performed by a single or two instruments, it precedes a performance as a kind of introduction to the later on context. It has nevertheless attained a reputation of an independent improvisational form. Taqsimi-s are to be traced throughout the Mediterranean and middle eastern cultures, as improvisations on a single or more maqamat (maqam being the sonar space within which a combination of tetrachordal formations can be developed).

 

The elements used here, are based on a traditional Armenian lament. Similarly to the morphology of a taksimi, the melodic elements of this tune are scattered in four distinctive parts, unpretentiously trying to be reunited by the end of the piece. Likewise the taksimi endeavours various melodic, rhythmical and textual paths before returning to its original maqam and as such to its original material within a typical four-part taksimi improvisation.

 

The mournful evocation of the sonic space of the piece deliberately depicts the psychological, traumatic consequence of what has been unanimously called the Armenian genocide a hundred years ago. A commemoration to all war victims over the past century as well as all over human history, not least the Cypriot tragedy of 1974. 

 

Performed and recorded live by the Ergon Ensemble at the Shoe factory in Nicosia Cyprus as part of the project organised by the Pharos Arts Foundation. 

There is also a version for traverso flute, alto flute and baroque violin available upon request.