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PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Jake Goshert, Coordinator of Information Services
Tel: (212) 686-0710 Ext. 60; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.armenianchurch.net
June 26, 2006
___________________
ARMENIAN CHILDREN FILL UNITED NATIONS WITH MUSIC
By Florence Avakian
Friday, April 7, 2006, was both historic and inspiring, as 26 young Armenian
musicians filled the United Nations headquarters in New York City with
Armenian sharagans and popular music from the homeland. The audience of
world diplomats was treated to two hours of joyful, uplifting Armenian
music.
The concert by the Junior Choir of the Sts. Sahag and Mesrob Church of
Providence, RI, and the Narek Bell Choir from the St. Mary Church of
Washington, D.C. was sponsored by the United Nations Russian Book Club and
held in the United Nations' Dag Hammarskjold Library Auditorium. The sweet
voices and instruments of these Armenian youth, ranging in age from 8 to 18,
could even be heard in the hallway outside the auditorium as diplomats went
about their duties.
The honored guests in attendance included Armenia's Ambassador to the United
Nations Armen Martirossian, Metropolitan Opera diva Lucine Amara, Knights of
Vartan former Grand Commander Kegham Tcholakian, the Eastern Diocese's
Coordinator of Music Ministry Maestro Khoren Mekanejian, and well known
musicologist Krikor Pidejian, as well as several members of the United
Nations diplomatic corps.
Following welcoming remarks by Alexandre Toubolets, president of the Russian
Book Club, Fr. Simeon Odabashian, pastor of the Sts. Sahag and Mesrob
Church, related that Armenian sacred and secular music has spanned the
centuries, from the 4th through the mid-19th century. "All music was
written with neumes which Gomidas Vartabed deciphered," he related.
Several beloved hymns from the Divine Liturgy by Makar Yegmalian were
presented in song and with bells by both choirs. Accompanying on the piano
was the director of the Sts. Sahag and Mesrob Church Junior Choir, Maestro
Konstantin Petrossian.
Especially moving was the rendition of "Aysor Don eh Soorp Dzunutyan,"
("Today is the Feast of the Holy Nativity"), sung with exceptional phrasing,
breath control, and tonal purity by 14-year-old Tatevik Martirosyan. "Park
Ee Partsoons" ("Glory to God in the Highest)" by the 6th-century composer
Movses Kertogh was another impressive offering by this gifted choir.
Pieces by legendary Armenian composers were introduced to the audience by
the Narek Bell Choir, under the baton of its music director Leon
Khoja-Eynatyan. The program included works by three 12th-century composers
(Movses Kertogh, Nerses Shnorhali, and Grigor Pahlavuni), two 13th-century
composers (Hovhanesess Yerzngatsi and Vartan Areveltsi), Gomidas Vartabed,
and contemporary composer Socrates Boyajian.
Movses Kertogh's "Khorhoort Medz" ("O, Great Mystery"), and Nerses
Shnorhali's "Norahrash" ("New Wonders") evoked the soulful messages of these
timeless hymns. Gomidas Vartabed's "Gakavik" ("Partridge") was creatively
presented with several bells thumping as an accompaniment to the melody.
Tamara Martirosyan delighted the audience with several melodies played with
great aplomb and expertise on the kanon, a stringed instrument native to
Armenia. Accompanied with piano, the result was a sweet taste of Armenia in
New York.
The mood turned from one of spirituality as the Junior Choir members sang,
with piano accompaniment, several popular songs. Before each presentation,
a choir member explained its meaning. Special favorites were Aram
Khachatourian's "Karoon Yerevan" ("Yerevan in Spring"), describing the
happiness of a newly wed bride, and Armen Tigranian's "Ambee Dageets" ("From
Underneath the Cloud"), a love song from his opera "Anoush."
"Noobar Noobar" featured the extraordinary talent of David Gevorkian on the
duduk. His fingers flew on this traditional Armenian instrument as he wove
a lyrical tapestry.
The concert concluded with both choirs joining together for the ever-popular
"Yerevan -- Erepoonee" by Edgar Hovhanessian, performed with the majesty and
emotion it deserves. It inspired a well-deserved standing ovation, lasting
several minutes.
Ambassador Martirossian expressed his pride and appreciation to the
organizers, parents, and the "youth of the Armenian nation who brought the
spirit and culture of my nation with its ancient and rich history to this
international institution and audience."
The Junior Choir, organized by Konstantin Petrossian in 1995, has performed
in many special events, including the visits to the United States of
Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin I and Karekin II. The Narek Bell Choir,
the only such group in the Armenian Church today, was founded in 2000 under
the leadership of Fr. Vertanes Kalayjian and Leon Khoja-Eynatyan. It has
performed at the White House, the Library of Congress, the St. Vartan
Cathedral, and several churches in the United States.
In September 2004, the combined choirs released their first CD, "Park Ee
Partsoons" ("Gloria in Excelsis"), for which they received the 2005 Gomidas
Award and the Armenian Music Award for liturgical and spiritual albums. The
CD is available from the St. Vartan Bookstore online at
www.stvartanbookstore.com.
-- 6/27/06
E-mail photos available on request. Photos also viewable in the News and
Events section of the Eastern Diocese's website, www.armenianchurch.net.
PHOTO CAPTION (1): Members of the Junior Choir of the Sts. Sahag and Mesrob
Church of Providence, RI, and the Narek Bell Choir from the St. Mary Church
of Washington, D.C. perform at the United Nations in New York City on April
7, 2006.
PHOTO CAPTION (2): Junior Choir members from Providence, RI, perform at the
United Nations.
PHOTO CAPTION (3): Narek Bell Choir members from Washington, D.C., perform
at the United Nations.
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Jake Goshert, Coordinator of Information Services
Tel: (212) 686-0710 Ext. 60; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.armenianchurch.net
June 26, 2006
___________________
ARMENIAN CHILDREN FILL UNITED NATIONS WITH MUSIC
By Florence Avakian
Friday, April 7, 2006, was both historic and inspiring, as 26 young Armenian
musicians filled the United Nations headquarters in New York City with
Armenian sharagans and popular music from the homeland. The audience of
world diplomats was treated to two hours of joyful, uplifting Armenian
music.
The concert by the Junior Choir of the Sts. Sahag and Mesrob Church of
Providence, RI, and the Narek Bell Choir from the St. Mary Church of
Washington, D.C. was sponsored by the United Nations Russian Book Club and
held in the United Nations' Dag Hammarskjold Library Auditorium. The sweet
voices and instruments of these Armenian youth, ranging in age from 8 to 18,
could even be heard in the hallway outside the auditorium as diplomats went
about their duties.
The honored guests in attendance included Armenia's Ambassador to the United
Nations Armen Martirossian, Metropolitan Opera diva Lucine Amara, Knights of
Vartan former Grand Commander Kegham Tcholakian, the Eastern Diocese's
Coordinator of Music Ministry Maestro Khoren Mekanejian, and well known
musicologist Krikor Pidejian, as well as several members of the United
Nations diplomatic corps.
Following welcoming remarks by Alexandre Toubolets, president of the Russian
Book Club, Fr. Simeon Odabashian, pastor of the Sts. Sahag and Mesrob
Church, related that Armenian sacred and secular music has spanned the
centuries, from the 4th through the mid-19th century. "All music was
written with neumes which Gomidas Vartabed deciphered," he related.
Several beloved hymns from the Divine Liturgy by Makar Yegmalian were
presented in song and with bells by both choirs. Accompanying on the piano
was the director of the Sts. Sahag and Mesrob Church Junior Choir, Maestro
Konstantin Petrossian.
Especially moving was the rendition of "Aysor Don eh Soorp Dzunutyan,"
("Today is the Feast of the Holy Nativity"), sung with exceptional phrasing,
breath control, and tonal purity by 14-year-old Tatevik Martirosyan. "Park
Ee Partsoons" ("Glory to God in the Highest)" by the 6th-century composer
Movses Kertogh was another impressive offering by this gifted choir.
Pieces by legendary Armenian composers were introduced to the audience by
the Narek Bell Choir, under the baton of its music director Leon
Khoja-Eynatyan. The program included works by three 12th-century composers
(Movses Kertogh, Nerses Shnorhali, and Grigor Pahlavuni), two 13th-century
composers (Hovhanesess Yerzngatsi and Vartan Areveltsi), Gomidas Vartabed,
and contemporary composer Socrates Boyajian.
Movses Kertogh's "Khorhoort Medz" ("O, Great Mystery"), and Nerses
Shnorhali's "Norahrash" ("New Wonders") evoked the soulful messages of these
timeless hymns. Gomidas Vartabed's "Gakavik" ("Partridge") was creatively
presented with several bells thumping as an accompaniment to the melody.
Tamara Martirosyan delighted the audience with several melodies played with
great aplomb and expertise on the kanon, a stringed instrument native to
Armenia. Accompanied with piano, the result was a sweet taste of Armenia in
New York.
The mood turned from one of spirituality as the Junior Choir members sang,
with piano accompaniment, several popular songs. Before each presentation,
a choir member explained its meaning. Special favorites were Aram
Khachatourian's "Karoon Yerevan" ("Yerevan in Spring"), describing the
happiness of a newly wed bride, and Armen Tigranian's "Ambee Dageets" ("From
Underneath the Cloud"), a love song from his opera "Anoush."
"Noobar Noobar" featured the extraordinary talent of David Gevorkian on the
duduk. His fingers flew on this traditional Armenian instrument as he wove
a lyrical tapestry.
The concert concluded with both choirs joining together for the ever-popular
"Yerevan -- Erepoonee" by Edgar Hovhanessian, performed with the majesty and
emotion it deserves. It inspired a well-deserved standing ovation, lasting
several minutes.
Ambassador Martirossian expressed his pride and appreciation to the
organizers, parents, and the "youth of the Armenian nation who brought the
spirit and culture of my nation with its ancient and rich history to this
international institution and audience."
The Junior Choir, organized by Konstantin Petrossian in 1995, has performed
in many special events, including the visits to the United States of
Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin I and Karekin II. The Narek Bell Choir,
the only such group in the Armenian Church today, was founded in 2000 under
the leadership of Fr. Vertanes Kalayjian and Leon Khoja-Eynatyan. It has
performed at the White House, the Library of Congress, the St. Vartan
Cathedral, and several churches in the United States.
In September 2004, the combined choirs released their first CD, "Park Ee
Partsoons" ("Gloria in Excelsis"), for which they received the 2005 Gomidas
Award and the Armenian Music Award for liturgical and spiritual albums. The
CD is available from the St. Vartan Bookstore online at
www.stvartanbookstore.com.
-- 6/27/06
E-mail photos available on request. Photos also viewable in the News and
Events section of the Eastern Diocese's website, www.armenianchurch.net.
PHOTO CAPTION (1): Members of the Junior Choir of the Sts. Sahag and Mesrob
Church of Providence, RI, and the Narek Bell Choir from the St. Mary Church
of Washington, D.C. perform at the United Nations in New York City on April
7, 2006.
PHOTO CAPTION (2): Junior Choir members from Providence, RI, perform at the
United Nations.
PHOTO CAPTION (3): Narek Bell Choir members from Washington, D.C., perform
at the United Nations.