Anatolian-Portuguese Suite for 2 Pianos by Christopher Norton

The Anatolian-Portuguese Suite for 2 pianos was written for the Basgze-Pinto Piano Duo - Pinar Basgze and Susana Pinto, colleagues at the MacPhail Center for Music in Minneapolis. Pinar is Turkish, Susana is Portuguese, so it seemed appropriate to write them a suite utilizing the music of their respective countries.

The suite has 4 movements in style terms Anatolian Folk, Fado, Anatolian Folk, Fado.

1. Hey Onbesli, Onbesli is an Anatolian Lament from the Tokat region of Turkey and references the Battle of anakkale, known in other parts of the world as Gallipoli. Young men, between the age of 15 and 19 enlisted or volunteered going off to war is the theme and the piece has a melancholy opening and closing section, with a more rhythmic central section. Quarter-tone tuning is hinted at with certain harmonic clashes.

2. Estranha Forma De Vida, literally Strange way of living, is a heart-felt traditional Portuguese song popularised by the most famous Fado singer, Amlia Rodrigues. This movement weaves a fantasy around the beautiful tune.

3. Zeynep, full title Zeynep Zeynebim, Zeynebim, another Anatolian lament is an evocative (and tragic) love song Zeynep, famous in 5 villages
I cannot go to her because the paths are way faraway.
They sent her of as a bride this week, therefore I am burning inside, though I seem cool-headed.
This suite contains a free arrangement of it.

4. Vo?o para a Liberdade, literally Flight to Freedom, is a Portuguese melody that has revolutionary sentiments. The arrangement in this suite starts fast and builds in excitement to a thunderous and virtuosic finish.