Suite for Violin, Clarinet and Piano (1992) features elements inspired by Armenian folk music. One is the appearance throughout of the interval of the augmented second, a gesture typical of Caucasian music. Racing vernacular rhythms drive the dance-like pulse of the second-movement Scherzo and finale, alternating with soulful lyrical episodes for violin and clarinet. In an interview, Arutunian expressed his particular affection for the clarinet’s “nimble, capricious, and lyrical” personality, given full expression here. By turns mournful and flamboyant, with two high singing voices soaring above the baritone piano, the suite distills the essence of Armenia’s unique musical identity (Source: Harlow Robinson).