We pride ourselves on playing a diverse repertoire of music from different cultural styles, genres and traditions. Our selection for this term includes music from Romania, Syria, Japan and Brazil, alongside a couple of well-known film themes and pop arrangements. Find out more from these notes by our Musical Director, Vahan Salorian
A Three Penny Opera Suite - Kurt Weill arr. R Cawkwell
The Threepenny Opera (Die Dreigroschenoper 1928) was a musical play on John Gays' Beggars' Opera from 1728 showing the seedy underworld of London society. The antihero is Captain Mackheath, a murderer and gang-leader (a highwayman in the original), who secretly marries the daughter of Mr Peachum, a fence who is responsible for organised begging around London. In the thrid movement, Tango Ballad, Mackie reminicies over a liason with one of his prostitues (yes, he's a pimp too) and in the finale to the first act, Peachum, his wife and daughter sing that the world is a pretty bleak place, so why not grab what little happiness you can.
Gonna Fly Now (from Rocky) - Bill Conti arr. Mike Story & V. Salorian
The Rocky film franchise celebrates it's 50th Anniversary this year. Following the journey of Rocky Balboa, a small time club fighter aiming for the world title, Gonna Fly Now is an empowering, energetic anthem that became the main theme for the films. The songs lyrics were written by Carol Connors and Ayn Robbins.
Jealousy - Jacob Gade arr. C Harrison
Jealousy is a tango written by Danish composer Jacob Gade in 1925. Its full title is Jalousie "Tango Tzigane" (Jealousy "Gypsy Tango"). It was originally composed to accompany the Danish premier of the silent film, Don Q Son of Zorro, after which it soon became popular around the world and is today a classic in the modern songbook.
Lua Branca - Chiquinha Gonzago arr. V Salorian
Chiquinha Gonzago (1847-1935) is one of the most important women in Brazilian music. A talented pianist, composer and conductor, Lua Branca (White Moon) is one of her most enduring and frequently recorded melodies, originally composed for the operetta, Forroboddó.
Merry Go Round of Life (from Howl's Moving Castle) - Joe Hisaishi arr. V Salorian
Howl's Moving Castle is a 2004 animated fantasy film from Studio Ghibli. Influenced by the director Miyazaki's opposition to the 2003 invasion of Iraq, the film contains strong anti-war messages. It follows the Sophie, a young girl who is turned into an elderly woman by a witch, and her encounters with a wizard called Howl. This waltz is the main theme from the film.
One Day Like This - ELBOW arr. V Salorian
Winner of the 2009 Ivor Novello award for Best Song, this is perhaps the most famous tune by the Mancunian band, Elbow. The original is quite symphonic and features a prominent string section throughout. The song's euphoric, positive message can be summed up by the final refrain- "Throw those cutains wide, One day like this a year would see me right"
Roumanian Dance Suite - Bela Bartok arr. V Salorian
Hungarian composer Bela Bartok (1881-1945) made it his life's work to collect and preserve the folk music traditions of Eastern Europe, becoming one of the first ethnomusicologists. Many of his pieces are arrangements of traditional folk tunes, or at least inspired by the rhythms and melodies he documented. This piece has six very short movements:
1. Stick Game
2. Sash Dance
3. Topogó
4. Dance from Bucium
5. Romanian Polka
6. Fast Dance
Tiri Tiri ya asfoura - trad. Syrian arr. V Salorian
“Fly, fly, little bird” is a popular children’s song from the Arab world. When it took first prize at the Zecchino d’Oro Unicef Festival in Italy in 1986, it became known as a peace song in the context of the war in Lebanon and Syria. The song is a cry for peace and freedom, which so many children long for. The lyrics roughly mean, “Fly, pretty bird, you are just like me. Where is your house? I only see you flying. Let’s pretend we didn’t talk to each other, as if we are a picture inside a book. The sky is your home, bounded only by your wings.”
Beethoven's Fifth/A Fifth of Beethoven - Beethoven/Walter Murphy arr. G McLean
This arrangement showcases part of the iconic first movement of Beethoven's 1808 Symphony No. 5 in C minor, juxtaposed with Walter Murphy's disco version (which was prominently featured in the 1977 film Saturday Night Fever).
Troika - Prokofiev arr. V Salorian
Originally composed as part of the film score for 'Lieutenant Kijé' (1934), this ecstatic, sparkling piece of music has become heavily associated with the Christmas period and can often be heard in adverts and TV around this time of year. This piece was written by the grandad of our HCO Patron, Gabriel Prokofiev!
