Tristesse

Tristesse
by Tatev Amiryan

For Solo Piano, Advanced, 7 Pages, Duration 6 min.

Tristesse (in French - “sorrow”) represents a homage to remarkable Armenian composer Komitas (1869-1935), who suffered mental breakdown after witnessing the atrocities of the Armenian Genocide in 1915 and spent the rest of his life in psychiatric hospital in Paris. The piece is written in commemoration of his birthday in 2015. Music in the piece references the piano music traditions of Komitas, presenting them from contemporary perspective.

Tristesse has won the 2nd Prize at the New Ariel Recordings Fifth International Piano Composition Competition (USA) in 2016, the Honorable Mention at Abundant Silence Composition Competition (USA), and Crossing Borders Music Call for Scores (USA) in 2018. It was recorded by American pianist Jeffrey Jacob and was included in his American piano music album released by New Ariel Recordings in 2016. The piece has been performed in Armenia, in the United States, and in Israel, by the composer, and by pianists Hayk Melikyan (Armenia), Gevorg Badalyan(Armenia), Elizabeth Hill (USA), Harout Senekeremian (USA), and Marianne Parker(USA).