take a listen to the original accordion and multitrack violas version:
listen to a recording of an arrangement Ljova made for The Knights, featuring violin soloists Johnny Gandelsman and Colin Jacobsen:
watch a video of the chamber orchestra version:
| Garmsoshka (which in Russian means “little accordion”, or “mouth harmonica”) was written between takes during the recording of the Ayre album with the Andalucian Dogs. I wanted to write a melody and dedicate it to my grandmother, Ada Zhurbin, and try to keep it simple – at least on the surface. | |
| CATEGORY | chamber music, chamber orchestra, lead sheet, jazz |
| INSTRUMENTATION | flexible instrumentation; arrangements available: — chamber orchestra with soloists – 2 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 violin soloists, strings — chamber orchestra – 2-2-2-2 / 2-2-0-0 / timp & 1 percussion / strings — full orchestra – 2-2-2-2 / 2-4-0-0 / timp & 3 percussion / strings also available: |
| DURATION | 4-7 minutes |
| WORLD PREMIERE | The premiere was at a friend’s wedding reception in the Bronx, in September 2004. |
| WORLD PREMIERE PERFORMERS | I believe it was: Ljova, viola; Alex Nakhimovsky. |
| OTHER NOTABLE PERFORMANCES | “Garmoshka” often performed by Ljova and the Kontraband; October 15 / 16, 2008 – by The Knights, featuring violin soloists Johnny Gandelsman and Colin Jacobsen, at Le Poisson Rouge, New York City (recorded for Sony Classical)September 13, 2014 –Empire Chamber Orchestra conducted by David Bousso, Good Shepherd Faith Church NY |
| RECORDING | Recorded on Ljova’s debut record, “Vjola: World on Four Strings”, by Ljova, with accordionist Michael Ward-Bergeman. Available here.
Also recorded in arrangement for chamber orchestra by The Knights, featuring violin soloists Jonathan Gandelsman & Colin Jacobsen, on the Sony Classical album “Experience: Live in New York”, featuring cellist Jan Vogler – see discography for more information. |
| SCORE AVAILABILITY | All arrangements are available for sale via PDF or mail delivery; arrangements for combinations not listed above may be commissioned on request. [contact for more info]Score and parts available for sale. |