Some pieces become so popular that they almost escape their composer. Koyunbaba, by the Italian composer Carlo Domeniconi (born 1947), is one of them — a hypnotic, hauntingly beautiful suite that has become one of the most beloved guitar works written in the last fifty years, played by students and concert artists alike around the world.
A composer between two worlds
Domeniconi was born in Cesena, Italy, and trained as a guitarist before settling in Berlin, where he studied composition. The crucial chapter of his life, though, was his time in Turkey: he taught at the conservatory in Istanbul and immersed himself in Turkish music, its modes, its melodies and its meditative spirit. That encounter between European craft and Anatolian sound is the wellspring of Koyunbaba.
The story behind the piece
"Koyunbaba" — roughly, "sheep-father" — is the name of a region on the Aegean coast of Turkey, and also of a folk saint associated with it. Domeniconi wrote the suite, his Op. 19, after time spent in that landscape, and the music carries the feeling of a place: sun, stillness, distance, and a slowly building intensity. It unfolds in four movements, moving from a dreamlike opening through a singing slow movement to a famously thrilling, driving finale.
The secret of the tuning
Part of Koyunbaba's spellbinding sound comes from its scordatura — a special retuning of the strings into an open C-sharp minor chord. With the whole instrument tuned to one resonant harmony, every open string rings sympathetically, giving the piece its shimmering, drone-like quality, almost like a Turkish saz or a sitar. It is a perfect example of how a composer can find an entirely new colour simply by retuning the guitar.
How to approach it
The earlier movements are within reach of a committed intermediate player and are deeply rewarding; the final movement, with its relentless tremolo-like drive, is a real test of stamina and nerve. The key to the whole piece is atmosphere — letting the open strings ring, shaping the long lines, and building patiently to that famous closing storm.
A note on the sheet music
Carlo Domeniconi is a living composer, so Koyunbaba is under copyright and not in the public domain. The score is published (notably by Edition Margaux / Berben) and should be purchased from authorised publishers and dealers.
FAQ
Who wrote Koyunbaba?
The Italian composer Carlo Domeniconi (born 1947), inspired by his years in Turkey.
Why does it sound so unusual?
It uses a scordatura tuning into an open C-sharp minor chord, making the whole guitar resonate.
Is the sheet music free?
No — Domeniconi is a living composer; the score should be purchased from authorised editions.
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Explore more: our guide to famous classical guitar pieces and the classical guitar repertoire guide. Learn more about Carlo Domeniconi.
