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Reena Esmail

Composer

Tuttarana (SATB)

June 9, 2014 by

performance by UNT University Singers
Lindsay Pope, conductor

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.

Recording

premiere recording – Mount Holyoke Glee Club
Lindsay Pope, conductor
score video of Tuttarana
UNT University Singers; Lindsay Pope Gregory, conductor

Text

The text of this piece is comprised of onomatopoeic syllables based in the Hindi language — it has no specific words.

Audio Guide

Additionally: Tuttarana is based in Raag Jog. You will hear the constant inflection point between what sounds like major and minor modalities to a Western ear.

Premiers/Performances

The original version of this piece (SSA) was commissioned by Mount Holyoke Glee Club, Lindsay Pope, conductor. It was premiered January, 17 2015 at Mount Holyoke College, in South Hadley MA.

Since that time, Tuttarana has been performed by choirs all over the world, and arranged for SATB chorus and brass quintet.

View Product
Instrumentation: SATB chorus (max 7 part divisi)
Other Versions:
  • Khirkiyaan: Three Transformations for Brass Quintet movement 3 is the brass quintet version of Tuttarana
  • Tuttarana (concert band) version for concert band (Grade 4)
  • Tuttarana (SSA) treble choir (original)
Duration: 3'
Year: 2014
Movements: 1
Language: no language, but uses Hindi-based syllabic structure (tarana syllables)
Commissioned By:

Mount Holyoke Glee Club; Lindsay Pope, conductor


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Looking to program Reena’s choral work? Click here for a spreadsheet of all of Reena’s choral repertoire, searchable by length, difficulty, instrumentation, topic, et al.

 

Esmail is the Los Angeles Master Chorale’s 2020-2025 Swan Family Artist in Residence, and was Seattle Symphony’s 2020-21 Composer-in-Residence. She also holds awards/fellowships from United States Artists, the S&R Foundation, the American Academy of Arts and Letters, and the Kennedy Center.

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Contact Details

Requesting a perusal copy of choral music
Email: manager@reenaesmail.com

Offer volume discounts to wholesalers for print orders
Please inquire at: info@reenaesmail.com

All other inquiries
Please email: manager@reenaesmail.com

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