Retro Non is in Latin, meaning “no repeat.” The piece expresses longing to the places very dear to me, which are left behind, and sorrow for not being able to return.
In the piece my individual musical language is combined with Armenian traditional modes and scales. Some phrases carry ornaments typical to Armenian traditional music (folk melodies, sacred music), and resemble ornamental patterns similar to Armenian traditional art forms (miniature paintings, cross stones). Every small particle in the ornament is essential and plays an important role in creating the whole. Hence, all short notes in the phrases need to be treated individually, as a part of a melody, not as an embellishment, and need to be played deeper and emphasized, without slurs and legatos.
Retro Non received the 1st prize at Chamber Music Composition Competition at University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory of Music and Dance in 2012 and was premiered by Carpe Diem string quartet at the UMKC Conservatory of Music and Dance.