"Rubaiyat is a fantasy concerto in one movement for accordion and orchestra with narration over orchestral interludes. This work was commissioned by Carmen Carrozza.The accordion sings in the vocal style a lovesong - like aria.The narrator reads from the Fitzgerald translation of Omar Khayyam's mystical love poem. The orchestral love music continues interspersed by more readings.The accordion and orchestra become brighter with lively dance - like music leading to a climax - like canonic passage for trumpets and trombones. After more verses are spoken over delicate orchestral sounds a new love - song leads to a condenza passage for accordion".
     - Alan Hovhaness
     
 "Carmen Carroza is one of the greatest artist on accordion."
       -Andre Kostelanetz

 

 "Rubaiyat  was commissioned by accordionist Carmen Carrozza who was last night's extraordinarily skillful soloist."
       -New York Post , by Robert Kimball, May 21,1977

 

 "Carmen Carrozza who played the accordion solos with taste and delicate swiftness"
       -Buffalo Courier - Express, by Thomas Putnam,  April 30, 1977

 

 "Carmen Carrozza to whom the work is dedicated, played the accordion solo part with relish."
        - New York Times, by Peter G. Davis, May 22,1977
     
"Carmen Carrozza did a splendid job with the Near East inspired music."
        -The Washington Post, March 10, 1978

 

 "An essential part of the musics flavor, particularly in the interludes, was the sound of Accordionist Carmen Carrozza"
        - The Washington Post, by Joseph Mclellan, October 30, 1995

 

 "Accordionist Carmen Carrozza made the Accordion into a polished part of the symphonic ensemble, at times dominating with its deep, organ - like tones, at others calling up images of Middle Eastern dance rhythms"
        - Gazette Packet, Meghan I' Anson, November 2, 1995