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  • Armenian Rhapsodies

    Armenian Rhapsodies

    Syracuse New Times (The Central New York Alternative)
    August 10, 2005

    By Colette Hebert

    A hero to Armenians around the world, Syracuse musician, composer and
    recording artist Daniel Decker has written two nationalist songs that
    have gained much positive response. Always interested in music from
    other cultures, Decker frequently travels to his homeland to present his
    music, most recently in April to memorialize the Armenian genocide that
    began in 1915.

    During his first trip to Armenia in 2001, Decker heard a captivating
    melody while shopping at an open-air market. Moved by the piece, he
    located the composer, Ara Gevorkyan, and grew interested in writing
    lyrics to the music. With Gevorkyan's approval, Decker's lyrics created
    the successful song, "Noah's Prayer," based on the story of Noah and his
    ark on Mount Ararat. The song's premiere was accompanied by the Armenian
    Opera Orchestra during the Independence Day celebration in front of
    Mount Ararat. "It was an amazing experience," Decker explains. "I'm
    singing this song about Noah and this ark is sitting a few miles behind it."

    The pair joined forces again as Decker chose Gevorkyan's melody for
    "Adana." "It was the perfect music to tell the story of the Armenian
    genocide," an event that during World War I resulted in the Turks'
    execution of 1.5 million Armenian Christians. "Most of the world
    remembers nothing about the event, and I thought this was a story that
    needs to get out," Decker says.

    In April, the song premiered during the 90th anniversary of the Armenian
    genocide at a nationally televised concert as Decker sang "Adana" along
    with singers from Finland, Germany, Moldova, Bulgaria and Armenia, who
    performed in their native language. "I felt a very heavy weight on my
    shoulders," Decker says, "singing to descendants of those killed in the
    genocide."

    "Noah's Prayer" and "Adana" are available on Decker's CD My Offering
    (Candelas Music). A remake of "Dust in the Wind," "One Faith" with
    flamenco guitars, the Brazilian samba "There Is a Place" and the
    Latin-flavored "Wonder Of Your Love" are also on the disc. With his
    vocal and keyboard talents, Decker creates a range of unique sounds: "I
    like a lot of diversity in my composing and arranging. I want to bring
    in as many cultural and musical influences as possible." For more
    information, visit www.danieldecker.com.


    http://newtimes.rway.com/2005/081005/chatter.shtml

    From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
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