NOTE: Tuttarana is the third movement of Khirkiyaan, a three movement suite for brass quintet. Please click here for information about the entire suite. (Tuttarana is no longer sold separately)
Program Notes
The title of this piece is a conglomeration of two words: the Italian word ‘tutti’, means ‘all’ or ‘everyone’, and the term ‘tarana’ designates a specific Hindustani (North Indian) musical form, whose closest Western counterpart is the ‘scat’ in jazz. Made up of rhythmic syllables, a tarana is the singer’s chance to display agility and dexterity. While a Hindustani tarana is a solo form, I wanted to bring the tarana into an ensemble setting.
Tuttarana was commissioned by the Mount Holyoke College Glee Club for their 2014-15 season, and has since been performed across the US, also in arrangements for SATB and brass quintet.
An addendum: Three years after I wrote this piece, the #metoo movement, created by Tarana Burke broke on social media. It occurred to me that the title of this piece, if read a different way, literally means “We are all Tarana.” I couldn’t believe the incredible coincidence that this work, a powerful 3-minute tidal wave of sound, written for an all-female ensemble from the oldest women’s college in the country, bore this name. I’m so grateful for what this movement has done to move the discussion forward about the horrors we face as women, and how we can begin to change and heal our society.
Recording
Please see video above
In addition, another version for brass sextet is also available here.
Audio Guide
Though there is no audio guide specifically available for this piece, performers might wish to look at the Tuttarana instructional video for the choral version of Tuttarana for reference.
Premiers/Performances
This piece was commissioned by Mount Holyoke Glee Club, Lindsay Pope, conductor. It was premiered January, 17 2015 at Mount Holyoke College, in South Hadley MA.
This version of Tuttarana was commissioned by The Brass Project, for their album Cityscapes. Listen to the entire album here: