Oh, beautiful, beautiful!
Why did you draw so close to me?
Why did you uncover the secret of my heart?
I loved you with an innocent love,
But you, unjust one, betrayed me.
I loved you with an innocent love,
But you, unjust one, betrayed me.
Ah, if ever I chance upon you,
See you wandering, bereft and forlorn,
I will befriend your sorrows,
I will not forsake my lover.
I will befriend your sorrows,
I will not forsake my lover.
translation by metamorphesque
Aram Khachaturian's iconic ballet Gayane was premiered at the Kirov Ballet on this day in 1942 Perm, Russia. Here is the famous Sabre Dance from the final act of the Gayane.
Khachaturian: Sabre Dance
Sinfonia Toronto / Nurhan Arman, Conductor
Livestreamed on March 4, 2023
https://youtu.be/zzbEdefAo6w
Yesterday I shared some neo-traditional/folk revival music from Kazakhstan. Today it's Armenian ethno-pop. Armenians have gotten really good lately at incorporating their musical traditions into their pop music, and Sirusho is at the forefront. Going down the rabbit hole, I learned that, aside from the large diaspora in LA, a major reason for that is that an Armenian priest helped found ethnomusicology. He's the reason why so many of their traditional songs survived the genocide. (He's referenced in another song, that's how I learned about him.) Sirusho is also fighting against genocide denial, trying to reconnect the homeland to the diaspora, and trying to revive ancient Armenian jewelry.
Seagulls modeling the good life by flying into the sunset….
Stranger on a bench
Nothing holier than cirrus clouds
Moon and nacreous spume
youtube
The soundtrack for my sunset walks: Armenia classical music featuring Karine Hovhannisyan (Karineh Hovhanessian) on the kanun. Saw her play at the Museum of Jurassic Technology Yuletide party and am totally obsessed.
I'm proud to share my first album, which has been patiently waiting to be released for two years! I wrote and arranged these pieces back in 2021, but with life (and as it turns out, ADHD) getting in the way, I've only recently found myself able to prepare this soundtrack for release with the care it deserves.
It has been an honour and pleasure to compose for my friend and fellow artist, Lee Williams Boudakian. I was given the opportunity to learn more about the folk music of my heritage, take inspiration from it for my own compositions, and serve someone's story with this music.
While originally composed for the film, I hope you will agree that these pieces each have their own story to tell.
Today, in a Komitas mood...
Discover the music of Armenian composer Komitas (1869-1935)
https://youtu.be/PoOHvL3IB-E
Komitas: Etcmiadzin Dance
Sinfonia Toronto / Nurhan Arman, Conductor
Recorded live on February 22, 2020 at George Weston Recital Hall