Tsugaru No Komoriuta
Tsugaru no Komoriuta (Lullaby from Tsugaru) Minyo - (Japanese folk song)
The Tsugaru district is in Aomori Prefecture in the northernmost portion of Japan’s main island, Honshu. This is a very scenic land of mountains and lakes where the winters are hard and cold. There is a rich heritage of folk tradition, especially in folk songs.
This lullaby, opposing strong words to gentle melody, attempts to threaten the baby into sleeping!
Sleep, sleep. If you cry the Mongols will come down from the mountain to get you.
Sleep, child sleep.
Sleep, sleep. If you cry the devil will come from the village and get you…
Instrumentation
Mandolin, Charango, Gu Chen, Classical Bass, Ukulele
Performance Notes
The Gu Chen or Chinese Floor Harp (ancient forerunner of the Japanese Koto) features prominently in this arrangement, playing the tune and improvised embellishments. The instrument is tuned to the “Insempo” or “In” scale which naturally provides a dark, meditative atmosphere to the piece. The high strings take up the tune in tremolandi in the second section whilst several overlayed arpeggio figures provide a lilting accompaniment throughout.
The Tsugaru district is in Aomori Prefecture in the northernmost portion of Japan’s main island, Honshu. This is a very scenic land of mountains and lakes where the winters are hard and cold. There is a rich heritage of folk tradition, especially in folk songs.
This lullaby, opposing strong words to gentle melody, attempts to threaten the baby into sleeping!
Sleep, sleep. If you cry the Mongols will come down from the mountain to get you.
Sleep, child sleep.
Sleep, sleep. If you cry the devil will come from the village and get you…
Instrumentation
Mandolin, Charango, Gu Chen, Classical Bass, Ukulele
Performance Notes
The Gu Chen or Chinese Floor Harp (ancient forerunner of the Japanese Koto) features prominently in this arrangement, playing the tune and improvised embellishments. The instrument is tuned to the “Insempo” or “In” scale which naturally provides a dark, meditative atmosphere to the piece. The high strings take up the tune in tremolandi in the second section whilst several overlayed arpeggio figures provide a lilting accompaniment throughout.
Sinyaro
Sinyaro - (West African Griot song)
A praise song honouring Sinyaro, a wealthy 19th century patron of the Griots, for his kindness.
The chorus is:
"Sinyaro of Janjanboure
You have been blessed
With a prayer from your mother and father. "
Instrumentation
Mandolin, Charango, Mandola, Banjo, Acoustic Guitar, Classical Bass
A praise song honouring Sinyaro, a wealthy 19th century patron of the Griots, for his kindness.
The chorus is:
"Sinyaro of Janjanboure
You have been blessed
With a prayer from your mother and father. "
Instrumentation
Mandolin, Charango, Mandola, Banjo, Acoustic Guitar, Classical Bass
Itsuki No Komoriuta
Itsuki no Komoriuta (Lullaby from Itsuki) Minyo - (Japanese folk song)
Many variants of this lullaby existed around Itsuki village in Kyushu often in a loose duple or free rhythm.
Instrumentation
Mandolin, Charango, Gu Chen, Classical Bass, Ukulele
Many variants of this lullaby existed around Itsuki village in Kyushu often in a loose duple or free rhythm.
Instrumentation
Mandolin, Charango, Gu Chen, Classical Bass, Ukulele
Irene
Irene (Greek)
This is a dance in 7/8 time from the Peloponnesus. It reflects a certain freedom of spirit.
Instrumentation
Mandolin, Saz Cura, Saz Baglama, Mandola, Classical Bass
This is a dance in 7/8 time from the Peloponnesus. It reflects a certain freedom of spirit.
Instrumentation
Mandolin, Saz Cura, Saz Baglama, Mandola, Classical Bass
Cueca
Cueca (Peruvian)
Instrumentation
Mandolin, Charango, Requinto, Classical Guitar, Mandola, Classical Bass
Instrumentation
Mandolin, Charango, Requinto, Classical Guitar, Mandola, Classical Bass
Romances de la Guerra (Ballad of the War)
Romances de la Guerra (Traditional Landino)
This ballad tells of a young widow's seven year vigil as she awaits the return of her husband from the Greco – Turkish wars. "She washes her clothes in the flood of her tears and hangs them in the wind of sighs." The remaining tears are gathered in seven vessels. One day a stranger appears and questions her doleful state. "I cry because my husband is not among those who returned from the battle." The stranger reveals that he saw him die battle. "The Earth is his bed and the stone is his pillow."
Instrumentation
Mandolin, Charango, Requinto, Classical Guitar, Mandola, Gu Chen, Classical Bass
This ballad tells of a young widow's seven year vigil as she awaits the return of her husband from the Greco – Turkish wars. "She washes her clothes in the flood of her tears and hangs them in the wind of sighs." The remaining tears are gathered in seven vessels. One day a stranger appears and questions her doleful state. "I cry because my husband is not among those who returned from the battle." The stranger reveals that he saw him die battle. "The Earth is his bed and the stone is his pillow."
Instrumentation
Mandolin, Charango, Requinto, Classical Guitar, Mandola, Gu Chen, Classical Bass
Mambo
Mambo (Cuban)
Instrumentation
Mandolin, Charango, Cuatro, Requinto, Classical Guitar, Mandola, Classical Bass
Instrumentation
Mandolin, Charango, Cuatro, Requinto, Classical Guitar, Mandola, Classical Bass
Nye Zu Ritse Chloptsi
Nye Zu Ritse Chloptsi (Russian folk song)
This song, a favourite of the Lubavitcher Chasidim, has been taken over in the original Russian language from the rural folk repertoire. During the time of the Mitler Rebe, Rabbi Duber, it was sung by the Chasidim as they journeyed to and from Lubavitch. For the Chassidim, it has a deeper meaning than is evident from the literal translation. According to them, the song offers Jewish consolation in proclaiming that God on high will provide for all their material needs.
Translation of the lyrics:
Don't worry fellows about what will become of us.
We will travel to an inn where there will surely be vodka to drink.
Instrumentation
Mandolin, Charango, Requinto, Classical Guitar, Mandola, Classical Bass
This song, a favourite of the Lubavitcher Chasidim, has been taken over in the original Russian language from the rural folk repertoire. During the time of the Mitler Rebe, Rabbi Duber, it was sung by the Chasidim as they journeyed to and from Lubavitch. For the Chassidim, it has a deeper meaning than is evident from the literal translation. According to them, the song offers Jewish consolation in proclaiming that God on high will provide for all their material needs.
Translation of the lyrics:
Don't worry fellows about what will become of us.
We will travel to an inn where there will surely be vodka to drink.
Instrumentation
Mandolin, Charango, Requinto, Classical Guitar, Mandola, Classical Bass
