In 1906, Komitas gave a concert and lecture in Paris. Debussy came on stage after the concert and knelt before the Armenian composer (who was also a priest, a singer and a pioneer of ethnomusicology), exclaiming: 'I bow before your genius, Reverend Father.' 'Komitas is the voice of the land of Armenia, of it's churches and it's stones which remained silent for many centuries', the violinist David Haroutunian tells us. Along with the mezzo-soprano Eva Zaïcik, who is passionate about these songs, and the pianist Xénia Maliarevitch, he pays tribute to this great musician and to the French-Armenian composer Garbis Aprikian, now ninety-six years old. This heir to Komitas, a student of Olivier Messiaen, has made a major contribution to the dissemination of Armenian music, both classical and popular, in France and beyond. The album opens with his Lamento, a beautiful evocation of and touching homage to Komitas.
1 Aprikian: Lamento (Arr. for Mezzo-Soprano, Violin and Piano By Nicolas Worms)
2 Komitas: Qeler Tsoler
3 Komitas: Shogher Jan
4 Komitas: Dances: No. 4, Shushiki
5 Ganatchian: Lullaby (Arr. for Mezzo-Soprano, Violin and Piano By Nicolas Worms)
6 Komitas: Tsirani Tsar (Arr. for Violin and Piano By Avet Gabrielian)
7 Komitas: Hoy Nazan
8 Komitas: Lullaby
9 Komitas: Krunk (Arr. for Violin and Piano By Sergey Aslamazian)
10 Komitas: Antuni
11 Hakob Aghabab: Jan, Ay Loosin! (Loosin Yelav) (Arr. for Mezzo-Soprano, Violin and Piano By Nicolas Worms)
12 Komitas: Dances: No. 1, Yerangi
13 Aprikian: Lullaby (Arr. for Violin and Piano By David Haroutunian)
14 Komitas: Akh, Maral Jan & Ervum Em
15 Komitas: Garun a
16 Komitas: Chinar Es (Arr. for Mezzo-Soprano, Violin and Piano By Nicolas Worms)
17 Komitas: Kaqavik (Arr. for Violin and Piano By Avet Gabrielian)
18 Komitas: Yerkinqn Ampel E
19 Komitas: Qele, Qele
20 Komitas: Dances: No. 5, Het-Araj
21 Aprikian: Petite Suite Nuptiale (Arr. for Violin and Piano By David Haroutunian)
22 I. Romance Sans Paroles. Barcarolla
23 II. Kovk. Louange Et Vœux
24 III. Hymne. Bénédiction
25 Aprikian: Petite Suite Nuptiale (Arr. for Violon and Piano By David Haroutunian)
26 IV. Scherzo. Réjouissances
In 1906, Komitas gave a concert and lecture in Paris. Debussy came on stage after the concert and knelt before the Armenian composer (who was also a priest, a singer and a pioneer of ethnomusicology), exclaiming: 'I bow before your genius, Reverend Father.' 'Komitas is the voice of the land of Armenia, of it's churches and it's stones which remained silent for many centuries', the violinist David Haroutunian tells us. Along with the mezzo-soprano Eva Zaïcik, who is passionate about these songs, and the pianist Xénia Maliarevitch, he pays tribute to this great musician and to the French-Armenian composer Garbis Aprikian, now ninety-six years old. This heir to Komitas, a student of Olivier Messiaen, has made a major contribution to the dissemination of Armenian music, both classical and popular, in France and beyond. The album opens with his Lamento, a beautiful evocation of and touching homage to Komitas.
