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Caucasian Chamber Orchestra Founded in 2005, the Caucasian Chamber Orchestra, based in Tbilisi, is made up of outstanding string players from the Caucasian region. The orchestra’s Artistic Director and Principal Conductor is the German conductor, composer CAUCASIAN and pianist Uwe Berkemer. The orchestra makes a major contribution to the cultural life of Georgia and plays a significant rôle in promoting music from the Caucasian region, including contemporary music. In addition, its active international touring schedule has brought the orchestra to prestigious concert venues in Europe, such as Konzerthaus IMPRESSIONS Berlin in March 2006 and Hofburg Wien in September 2006.
Uwe Berkemer Works for String Orchestra Uwe Berkemer studied as a pianist at the Hochschule für Musik und Darstellende Kunst Frankfurt. Parallel vocal studies at Hochschule für Musik und Darstellende Kunst Frankfurt, Opera School Wiesbaden as well as intensive composition and conducting studies put him in the exceptional position of being an all-round musician. Aside from Caucasian Chamber Orchestra his leadership of the Caucasian Chamber Orchestra, since 2000 Berkemer has been Principal Guest Conductor of the Georgian State Chamber Orchestra. In 2001 he founded the World Chamber Orchestra. Berkemer has worked with Uwe Berkemer such distinguished artists as Michala Petri and Anatol Ugorski. In addition, he is both Founder and Artistic Director of the International Music Festival in Dietzenbach. His Violin Concerto received its première at the Festival in 2000 with great success. Concerts, CD productions, radio and television recordings have brought him to Germany, Great Britain, Georgia, Ireland, Italy, Belgium, France, Poland, USA, Canada, among other countries. Berkemer currently teaches at Gutenberg University in Mainz, Germany, a post he has held since 1989.
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Photos by Annegret Koffmane by Photos K 8.570324 4 570324bk Caucasian:570034bk Hasse 15/8/07 5:59 PM Page 2
Caucasian Impressions Nasidze held the Chair of Composition at the Tbilisi State Alexander Grigori Arutiunyan (b. 1920) Conservatory. He was also chairman of the Georgian The famous Armenian composer and pianist Alexander FIKRET AMIROV SERGEY ASLAMAZYAN Composers Union, a ‘People’s Artist of Georgia’ and Grigori Arutiunyan was born in Yerevan, where he Symphony for String Orchestra, 14 Pieces on Themes on Armenian Folk holder of the Shota Rustaveli Prize. received his education at the Komitas Conservatory. He ‘To the Memory of Nizami’ Songs The Chamber Symphony No. 3 was written in 1969. later completed his studies at the Moscow Conservatory 1 I. Andante maestoso 8:59 @ Haberban 1:28 Constructed in one movement, moving through a range of with Litinsky (1946-8). He was artistic director of the tempi (Andante, Allegro, Maestoso, Andante), the work 2 II. Allegretto giocoso 3:36 SULKHAN TSINTSADZE Armenian Philharmonic Society and began to teach com- 3 III. Andante molto sostenuto 5:36 takes the folklore from the mountain region Khevsurian as 3 Miniatures position at the Yerevan Conservatoire in 1965, being 4 IV. Allegro con brio 4:07 its root inspiration. The Symphony received a successful granted a professorship in 1977. He joined the Union of # No. 3 Satshidao 2:29 première in Moscow in 1970. In 1973 the work was Composers in 1939 and the Cinematographers of Armenia ALEXANDER ARUTIUNYAN 17 Miniatures awarded the Rustaveli Premium, the national prize. Sinfonietta in 1975. He was a recipient of the State Prize of USSR in $ Mstkhemsun 1:15 1949 and the State Prize of the Armenian SSR in 1970. 5 I. Prelude: Presto 2:04 12 Miniatures Fikret Meshedi Jamil Oglu Amirov (1922–1984) Arutunyan’s Sinfonietta was written for string orchestra 6 II. Arioso: Lento 3:36 % Zoli Gamididgulda 1:20 Fikret Amirov was one of the most prominent composers in 1966. Melodic and rhythmic features of Armenian 7 III. Intermezzo-pizzicato: Allegretto sostenuto e scherzando 2:28 SERGEY ASLAMAZYAN in Azerbaijan and in the former Soviet Union. His music music run throughout the work. 8 IV. Finale: Allegro risoluto 4:47 14 Pieces on Themes on Armenian Folk was strongly influenced by Azeri folk melodies. Amirov was awarded the title ‘People’s Artist of the USSR’ and the Sergey Aslamazyan (1897–1978) SULKHAN NASIDZE Songs ^ Alai luches 2:04 USSR State Prize. His most famous works include the Serge Aslamazyan, cellist and founding member of the 9 Symphony No. 3, ‘Chamber Symphony’ 18:07 symphonic works Shur, Kurd Afshari, Azerbaijan SULKHAN TSINTSADZE renowned Komitas Quartet was born in Mozdok, Russia. SULKHAN TSINTSADZE Capriccio, Gulustan Bayati-Shiraz, To the memory of the He received his education at the Moscow Conservatory. In 12 Miniatures Heroes of the Great National War, as well as the Double 3 Miniatures 1925 he founded the String Quartet of the Moscow & Gandagan 2:16 Concerto for Violin, Piano and Orchestra. 0 No. 1 Lale 2:36 Conservatory, later renamed the Komitas Quartet. In the * Sisatura 2:53 Symphony ‘To the memory of Nizami’ was written in ! No. 2 Indimindi 1:43 early years of the Quartet he started work on transcribing 1941, which was the 800th anniversary of Azerbaijanian famous songs and dances of the Armenian Composer poet Nizami. Composed for string orchestra, the Komitas. Haberban and Alai Luches are two of fourteen Symphony has four movements, each of which portrays pieces Aslamazyan arranged for quartet and later for string Sulkhan Tsintsadze (1925–1991) titles of ‘People’s Artist of Georgia’ and ‘People’s Artist the image of Nizami as a philosophically-thinking poet, of USSR’, the USSR State Prize, the Shota Rustaveli Prize orchestra. In these pieces, the original simplicity of the Sulkhan Tsintsadze began his musical career in the 1940s and a leitmotif of Nizami runs throughout. The leifmotif melodies is retained by both composer and arranger. as a cellist in the Georgian State String Quartet. His first and the Zaqaria Paliashvili Prize. is based on Azerbaijani melodies. Tsintsadze’s quartet miniatures (arranged for string composition, based on Georgian folksongs and made up of Marina Gegeshidze a collection of miniatures for string quartet, scored orchestra by the composer himself), composed at different immediate success. He also wrote several operas, ballets, points in his life, are exemplary transcriptions of Georgian symphonies and concertos, but it was his compositions for folk tunes. Using traditional performance means, he brings string quartet that came to take pride of place in the out the harmonic colours and sounds of Georgian national composer’s output, making a notable contribution to instruments such as Salamuri (winds), Chianuri (strings) Georgian music. and Doli (drums). One of Georgia’s leading composers, Tsintsadze was Chairman of Georgian Composers Union and Rector of Sulkhan Nasidze (1927–1996) the Georgian State Conservatory. He was awarded the A teacher and a prominent figure in public life, Sulkhan
8.570324 2 3 8.570324 570324bk Caucasian:570034bk Hasse 15/8/07 5:59 PM Page 2
Caucasian Impressions Nasidze held the Chair of Composition at the Tbilisi State Alexander Grigori Arutiunyan (b. 1920) Conservatory. He was also chairman of the Georgian The famous Armenian composer and pianist Alexander FIKRET AMIROV SERGEY ASLAMAZYAN Composers Union, a ‘People’s Artist of Georgia’ and Grigori Arutiunyan was born in Yerevan, where he Symphony for String Orchestra, 14 Pieces on Themes on Armenian Folk holder of the Shota Rustaveli Prize. received his education at the Komitas Conservatory. He ‘To the Memory of Nizami’ Songs The Chamber Symphony No. 3 was written in 1969. later completed his studies at the Moscow Conservatory 1 I. Andante maestoso 8:59 @ Haberban 1:28 Constructed in one movement, moving through a range of with Litinsky (1946-8). He was artistic director of the tempi (Andante, Allegro, Maestoso, Andante), the work 2 II. Allegretto giocoso 3:36 SULKHAN TSINTSADZE Armenian Philharmonic Society and began to teach com- 3 III. Andante molto sostenuto 5:36 takes the folklore from the mountain region Khevsurian as 3 Miniatures position at the Yerevan Conservatoire in 1965, being 4 IV. Allegro con brio 4:07 its root inspiration. The Symphony received a successful granted a professorship in 1977. He joined the Union of # No. 3 Satshidao 2:29 première in Moscow in 1970. In 1973 the work was Composers in 1939 and the Cinematographers of Armenia ALEXANDER ARUTIUNYAN 17 Miniatures awarded the Rustaveli Premium, the national prize. Sinfonietta in 1975. He was a recipient of the State Prize of USSR in $ Mstkhemsun 1:15 1949 and the State Prize of the Armenian SSR in 1970. 5 I. Prelude: Presto 2:04 12 Miniatures Fikret Meshedi Jamil Oglu Amirov (1922–1984) Arutunyan’s Sinfonietta was written for string orchestra 6 II. Arioso: Lento 3:36 % Zoli Gamididgulda 1:20 Fikret Amirov was one of the most prominent composers in 1966. Melodic and rhythmic features of Armenian 7 III. Intermezzo-pizzicato: Allegretto sostenuto e scherzando 2:28 SERGEY ASLAMAZYAN in Azerbaijan and in the former Soviet Union. His music music run throughout the work. 8 IV. Finale: Allegro risoluto 4:47 14 Pieces on Themes on Armenian Folk was strongly influenced by Azeri folk melodies. Amirov was awarded the title ‘People’s Artist of the USSR’ and the Sergey Aslamazyan (1897–1978) SULKHAN NASIDZE Songs ^ Alai luches 2:04 USSR State Prize. His most famous works include the Serge Aslamazyan, cellist and founding member of the 9 Symphony No. 3, ‘Chamber Symphony’ 18:07 symphonic works Shur, Kurd Afshari, Azerbaijan SULKHAN TSINTSADZE renowned Komitas Quartet was born in Mozdok, Russia. SULKHAN TSINTSADZE Capriccio, Gulustan Bayati-Shiraz, To the memory of the He received his education at the Moscow Conservatory. In 12 Miniatures Heroes of the Great National War, as well as the Double 3 Miniatures 1925 he founded the String Quartet of the Moscow & Gandagan 2:16 Concerto for Violin, Piano and Orchestra. 0 No. 1 Lale 2:36 Conservatory, later renamed the Komitas Quartet. In the * Sisatura 2:53 Symphony ‘To the memory of Nizami’ was written in ! No. 2 Indimindi 1:43 early years of the Quartet he started work on transcribing 1941, which was the 800th anniversary of Azerbaijanian famous songs and dances of the Armenian Composer poet Nizami. Composed for string orchestra, the Komitas. Haberban and Alai Luches are two of fourteen Symphony has four movements, each of which portrays pieces Aslamazyan arranged for quartet and later for string Sulkhan Tsintsadze (1925–1991) titles of ‘People’s Artist of Georgia’ and ‘People’s Artist the image of Nizami as a philosophically-thinking poet, of USSR’, the USSR State Prize, the Shota Rustaveli Prize orchestra. In these pieces, the original simplicity of the Sulkhan Tsintsadze began his musical career in the 1940s and a leitmotif of Nizami runs throughout. The leifmotif melodies is retained by both composer and arranger. as a cellist in the Georgian State String Quartet. His first and the Zaqaria Paliashvili Prize. is based on Azerbaijani melodies. Tsintsadze’s quartet miniatures (arranged for string composition, based on Georgian folksongs and made up of Marina Gegeshidze a collection of miniatures for string quartet, scored orchestra by the composer himself), composed at different immediate success. He also wrote several operas, ballets, points in his life, are exemplary transcriptions of Georgian symphonies and concertos, but it was his compositions for folk tunes. Using traditional performance means, he brings string quartet that came to take pride of place in the out the harmonic colours and sounds of Georgian national composer’s output, making a notable contribution to instruments such as Salamuri (winds), Chianuri (strings) Georgian music. and Doli (drums). One of Georgia’s leading composers, Tsintsadze was Chairman of Georgian Composers Union and Rector of Sulkhan Nasidze (1927–1996) the Georgian State Conservatory. He was awarded the A teacher and a prominent figure in public life, Sulkhan
8.570324 2 3 8.570324 570324bk Caucasian:570034bk Hasse 15/8/07 5:59 PM Page 4
Caucasian Chamber Orchestra Founded in 2005, the Caucasian Chamber Orchestra, based in Tbilisi, is made up of outstanding string players from the Caucasian region. The orchestra’s Artistic Director and Principal Conductor is the German conductor, composer CAUCASIAN and pianist Uwe Berkemer. The orchestra makes a major contribution to the cultural life of Georgia and plays a significant rôle in promoting music from the Caucasian region, including contemporary music. In addition, its active international touring schedule has brought the orchestra to prestigious concert venues in Europe, such as Konzerthaus IMPRESSIONS Berlin in March 2006 and Hofburg Wien in September 2006.
Uwe Berkemer Works for String Orchestra Uwe Berkemer studied as a pianist at the Hochschule für Musik und Darstellende Kunst Frankfurt. Parallel vocal studies at Hochschule für Musik und Darstellende Kunst Frankfurt, Opera School Wiesbaden as well as intensive composition and conducting studies put him in the exceptional position of being an all-round musician. Aside from Caucasian Chamber Orchestra his leadership of the Caucasian Chamber Orchestra, since 2000 Berkemer has been Principal Guest Conductor of the Georgian State Chamber Orchestra. In 2001 he founded the World Chamber Orchestra. Berkemer has worked with Uwe Berkemer such distinguished artists as Michala Petri and Anatol Ugorski. In addition, he is both Founder and Artistic Director of the International Music Festival in Dietzenbach. His Violin Concerto received its première at the Festival in 2000 with great success. Concerts, CD productions, radio and television recordings have brought him to Germany, Great Britain, Georgia, Ireland, Italy, Belgium, France, Poland, USA, Canada, among other countries. Berkemer currently teaches at Gutenberg University in Mainz, Germany, a post he has held since 1989.
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Photos by Annegret Koffmane by Photos K 8.570324 4 NAXOS NAXOS This collection of music from the Caucasus features Georgian, Armenian and Azerbaijani composers whose works have long deserved a wider hearing. In common with other composers trained in regions of the former USSR, they draw largely on folk material as their inspiration. 8.570324 Caucasian Impressions Caucasian Impressions DDD Caucasian Impressions Playing Time FIKRET AMIROV (1922–1984) 72:11 1-4 Symphony for String Orchestra, ‘To the Memory of Nizami’ 22:28 ALEXANDER ARUTIUNYAN (b. 1920) 5-8 Sinfonietta 13:00 SULKHAN NASIDZE (1927–1996) 9 Symphony No. 3, ‘Chamber Symphony’ 18:07 SULKHAN TSINTSADZE (1925–1991) 0-! 3 Miniatures: No. 1 Lale; No. 2 Indimindi 4:24 SERGEY ASLAMAZYAN (1897–1978) @ 14 Pieces on Themes on Armenian Folk Songs: Haberban 1:28 www.naxos.com ൿ SULKHAN TSINTSADZE Made in the EU Booklet notes in English Ltd. Naxos Rights International # &
3 Miniatures: No. 3 Satshidao 2:29 Ꭿ $
17 Miniatures: Mstkhemsuri 1:15 2007 % 12 Miniatures: Zoli Gamididgulda 1:20 SERGEY ASLAMAZYAN ^ 14 Pieces on Themes on Armenian Folk Songs: Alai luches 2:04 SULKHAN TSINTSADZE &-* 12 Miniatures: Gandagan; Sisatura 5:12 C Caucasian Chamber Orchestra • Uwe Berkemer Full track details will be found in the enclosed booklet M 8.570324 8.570324 Recorded at Studio of the Tbilisi Conservatory Grand Hall, Georgia, 4 March 2006 Y Producer: Caucasian Chamber Orchestra • Engineer: Paul Kvatchadze • Publishing: Soviet Composer (Moscow), 1972 (tracks 5–8); Muzford Gruzii (Tbilisi), 1973 (track 9); all others in manuscript K Booklet notes: Marina Gegeshidze • Cover photo: Armenian cross stones (Nadia Ivanova / Dreamstime.com)