Blab Music
Composer Mary Kouyoumdjians Sonic Documentary Paper Pianos to Debut with Alarm Will Sound, Proceeds to IRC
Mary Kouyoumdjian, the Armenian‑American composer who was a finalist for the 2024 Pulitzer Prize in Music and a 2026 Grammy nominee, will release a world‑premiere recording of her sonic documentary Paper Pianos on 7 August. The 90‑minute work, performed by the 20‑member chamber ensemble Alarm Will Sound, blends recorded interviews with original music to tell the stories of four refugees who have resettled in the United States.
The project began in 2016 when Kouyoumdjian met Milad Yousufi, a pianist who fled Kabul after the Taliban banned music. Yousufi taught himself piano by drawing keys on paper and later played at Kouyoumdjian’s home in New York. The composer expanded the project with three additional refugees: Getachew “Gee‑Gee” Bashir of Ethiopia, Hani Ali of Somalia, and Akil Aljaysh of Iraq. All four are now working as resettlement professionals in the New York area.
Kouyoumdjian describes Paper Pianos as a “sonic documentary” that integrates real‑world sounds—interview excerpts—into a musical narrative. Nigel Maister, co‑creator, provided the libretto, while Kouyoumdjian composed music that follows the psychological trajectory of each interviewee. The piece is divided into three sections: an introductory part that introduces the subjects and their reasons for leaving home; a middle section that delves into the horrors they endured, featuring a 30‑minute build‑up of dissonant textures; and a concluding section that reflects on their adaptation to life in the United States, ending with an open question about their future.
Musically, the work is largely textural with occasional folk‑inspired melodies. Strings play a prominent role, employing pitch bends, glissandi, and harmonics to create tension and an uneasy atmosphere. The composer cites Arabic string techniques and the kamancheh as influences, and she uses virtuosic passages—frantic tremolo, rapid open‑note runs—to mirror the intensity of the refugees’ experiences.
Kouyoumdjian stresses that her aim is not to preach but to evoke discomfort that may prompt listeners to reflect on the refugee crisis. She notes that the project has already had tangible effects: Yousufi has studied piano and composition at college, secured a teaching position, and continues to perform in the United States.
Alarm Will Sound, known for its contemporary repertoire, will record the piece at a studio in New York. The ensemble’s involvement follows its long association with the Eastman School of Music, the institution that helped launch the project. The recording will be distributed by a major classical label and will be available on streaming platforms and physical media.
All proceeds from the album will be donated to the International Rescue Committee (IRC), a global humanitarian organization that supports refugees and displaced people. The IRC’s work in the United States includes resettlement services, education, and health care.
The release of Paper Pianos comes at a time when contemporary classical music is increasingly engaging with social issues. The project demonstrates how a composer can combine documentary material with musical expression to raise awareness and support a charitable cause. The recording’s launch on 7 August will be accompanied by a press release and a series of interviews with Kouyoumdjian, the ensemble, and representatives of the IRC.
In summary, Paper Pianos will debut on 7 August, performed by Alarm Will Sound, with all sales benefiting the IRC. The work highlights the stories of four refugees, showcases Kouyoumdjian’s compositional voice, and illustrates the role of contemporary music in addressing humanitarian concerns.
The project began in 2016 when Kouyoumdjian met Milad Yousufi, a pianist who fled Kabul after the Taliban banned music. Yousufi taught himself piano by drawing keys on paper and later played at Kouyoumdjian’s home in New York. The composer expanded the project with three additional refugees: Getachew “Gee‑Gee” Bashir of Ethiopia, Hani Ali of Somalia, and Akil Aljaysh of Iraq. All four are now working as resettlement professionals in the New York area.
Kouyoumdjian describes Paper Pianos as a “sonic documentary” that integrates real‑world sounds—interview excerpts—into a musical narrative. Nigel Maister, co‑creator, provided the libretto, while Kouyoumdjian composed music that follows the psychological trajectory of each interviewee. The piece is divided into three sections: an introductory part that introduces the subjects and their reasons for leaving home; a middle section that delves into the horrors they endured, featuring a 30‑minute build‑up of dissonant textures; and a concluding section that reflects on their adaptation to life in the United States, ending with an open question about their future.
Musically, the work is largely textural with occasional folk‑inspired melodies. Strings play a prominent role, employing pitch bends, glissandi, and harmonics to create tension and an uneasy atmosphere. The composer cites Arabic string techniques and the kamancheh as influences, and she uses virtuosic passages—frantic tremolo, rapid open‑note runs—to mirror the intensity of the refugees’ experiences.
Kouyoumdjian stresses that her aim is not to preach but to evoke discomfort that may prompt listeners to reflect on the refugee crisis. She notes that the project has already had tangible effects: Yousufi has studied piano and composition at college, secured a teaching position, and continues to perform in the United States.
Alarm Will Sound, known for its contemporary repertoire, will record the piece at a studio in New York. The ensemble’s involvement follows its long association with the Eastman School of Music, the institution that helped launch the project. The recording will be distributed by a major classical label and will be available on streaming platforms and physical media.
All proceeds from the album will be donated to the International Rescue Committee (IRC), a global humanitarian organization that supports refugees and displaced people. The IRC’s work in the United States includes resettlement services, education, and health care.
The release of Paper Pianos comes at a time when contemporary classical music is increasingly engaging with social issues. The project demonstrates how a composer can combine documentary material with musical expression to raise awareness and support a charitable cause. The recording’s launch on 7 August will be accompanied by a press release and a series of interviews with Kouyoumdjian, the ensemble, and representatives of the IRC.
In summary, Paper Pianos will debut on 7 August, performed by Alarm Will Sound, with all sales benefiting the IRC. The work highlights the stories of four refugees, showcases Kouyoumdjian’s compositional voice, and illustrates the role of contemporary music in addressing humanitarian concerns.
