Petros Shoujounian

Petros Shoujounian (born 1957) is an Armenian Canadian composer who focuses on orchestral, piano, chamber, and choral music.

Life Petros Shoujounian was born in Gyumri (then Leninakan, Armenia in 1957.

Works Orchestral

Akhtamar, bassoon, small orchestra (1983) Trois miniatures, 12 or more strings, (1984) Rhapsodie, cello, small orchestra (1985) Sayat nova (suite concertante), vibraphone (+ xylophone, marimba), orchestra (1988–92) Concerto, cello, string orchestra (1995)

Chamber music

Suite, violin (1968–74) Horovele, clarinet (1979) Arax, string quartet, (1980) Dzez – à vous, piano, triangle (1982) Hour, ondes Martenot (1983) Funny Dialogues, 2 violins (1985) Le jeu, violin, cello, piano, (1985) Kour – Fleuve, string quartet (1985) Sassouni, piccolo, alto flute, harpsichord (1985) Monologue 1, viola (1985) Monologue 2, guitar (1985) Monologue 3, percussion (1985) Monologue 4, cello (1986) Cinq danses arméniennes, piano, vibraphone (1987) Odzouny, ondes Martenot, ensemble (1987) Arevagal, bassoon, French horn, viola (1991) Artsakh, 4 ondes Martenot (1993)

Choral

Ararat: Poème symphonique (text by Mardiros Kavukjian), soprano, alto, tenor, bass, mixed chorus, large orchestra (1981) Spirit divine attend our prayers, mixed chorus, organ (1985) Surp Khach – Holy Cross (oratorio), soprano, mezzo-soprano, baritone, mixed chorus, flute, oboe, clarinet, French horn, 2 violins, viola, cello, double bass, 3 percussion (2000)

Vocal

Suite vocale de trois pièces, soprano, piano (1981) 18 Armenian Religious Chants, soprano, small orchestra (2001)

Piano

Les pistes de jours (1978) La petite Elsie (1981) Mashtots, 2 pianos (1982) Monologue 5 (1986)

Organ

Lui pour nous (1983)

Notable concerts In 2001, for the 1700th anniversary of the Christianization of Armenia, Shoujounian performed three pieces of ancient Armenian liturgical music. The concert featured famed Canadian Armenian soprano Isabel Bayrakdarian.

Film music His music was featured in the 1979 film L'Arrache-Coeur (English: Heart Break).

Discography In 1997 SNE Records (established 1978 ) published a CD of the works of Shoujounian. The CD eventually received the Best Modern International Award by AMFA of Los Angeles in 1999.