Petros Shoujounian (born 1957) is an Armenian Canadian composer who focuses on orchestral, piano, chamber, and choral music.Encyclopedia of Canada's Peoples Paul Robert Magocsi, Multicultural History Society of Ontario – 1999 – Page 224 "Armenians ...... composer; Gerard Kantarjian, violinist and former concertmaster with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra; Aline Kutan, ... Hratchia Sevadjian, violin teacher; Bedros Shoujounian, composer and choir director; and Zaven Zakarian, clarinetist."
Life Petros Shoujounian was born in Gyumri (then Leninakan, Armenia in 1957. At the age of twelve, Shoujounian began to compose his own music. He eventually studied music at the Yerevan State Komitas State Conservatory and continued his education at the Garu Mourza College of Music. Shoujounian moved to Canada in 1976 and pursued studies at the Quebec Conservatory of Music under the famed Canadian composer Gilles Tremblay. He gained his MA in composition in 1982. Eventually he would direct the Armenian Choirs of Knar and Alemshah based in Montreal. He is also a publisher of records of the works of Armenian composers. Shoujounian has worked with numerous orchestras, such as I Musici de Montreal, NEM, Kitchener, London (Ontario) and Laval. He has also worked with soloists such as Marie-Josée Simard, Pierre Jasmin, Jean Laurendeau, and others.
He currently resides in Quebec, Canada.
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 1978L'industrie indépendante du disque classique au Québec "Chez SNE (Société nouvelle d'enregistrement), la doyenne des étiquettes de musique classique au Canada née en 1978, le son de cloche est différent") published a CD of the works of Shoujounian. The CD eventually received the Best Modern International Award by AMFA of Los Angeles in 1999.
References