Tweet
MANJIKAIN: ODE TO AZNAVOUR
By: Lalai Manjikian
http://www.armenianweekly.com/2011/05/17/manjikain-ode-to-aznavour/
Tue, May 17 2011
Start spreading the news: Aznavour is taking over Manhattan! An
early gala celebrating Armenia's 20th anniversary will take place
in New York City on May 20 and will pay tribute to globally renowned
songwriter and singer Charles Aznavour.
Leaving my teenage years behind (something Aznavour laments so
masterfully in "Hier Encore"), his songs continue to resonate with
me-as life progresses, as situations and perspectives change and
evolve-and his songs take on new hues.
The entertainer will be honoured for his achievements within the
world of music and for his service to Armenia. This sparkling event,
taking place at the lavish Cipriani Wall Street, is organized by the
Fund for Armenian Relief (FAR) and features an honorary committee
including the likes of Liza Minnelli, Tony Bennett, Celine Dion,
Placido Domingo, Atom Egoyan, and Sir Elton John, to name just a few.
Charles Aznavour, a scattered bead himself, is an Armenian ambassador
par excellence throughout Armenia and the diaspora. In fact, he
conveniently holds the actual position of Ambassador of Armenia to
Switzerland. French is the language he mainly creates and sings in,
yet his appeal is universal in more ways than one.
Referred to as a songwriter, composer, philanthropist, and diplomat,
I consider Aznavour as a point of reference in a sea of cultures that
collide within lands built on immigration, such as Canada. On several
occasions, dropping Aznavour's name has salvaged awkward moments
and puzzled expressions following questions like, "What language is
that you're speaking?" or "Where are you from, originally?" When the
answer is stated simply as "Armenian," there is often either a moment
of silence or an unconvincing "Oh." However, the instant I utter the
words, "Armenian, just like Aznavour," a sigh of relief takes over.
Aznavour remains quite popular in a city like Montreal, known for
its bi-cultural and bilingual (French-English) dynamics. The mere
mention of his name triggers an immediate response besides the obvious
ethnic association; the reaction is mostly positive, warm, and often
accompanied by a French-Canadian, or any middle-aged man or woman,
breaking into a spontaneous and passionate rendition of "La Bohème."
Aznavour has a special place in the heart of Quebecers, likely because
Quebec has a tendency to latch on to any cultural expression that is
in French, given their quest for national independence and for the
preservation of the language within the absorbing cultural influences
of English Canada and America just to the south.
However, Aznavour himself has a special attachment to this province.
After all, his conquest of North America first began in Quebec during
the late 1940's, when he performed in cabarets in Montreal and Quebec
City before becoming famous internationally. Charles Aznavour was born
in France, but has established and maintained several professional
and personal ties to this largely francophone metropolis across the
pond, where he remains widely appreciated and revered to this day. In
his memoirs, he refers to his friends and musical entourage in the
province as "nos cousins Quebecois" (our Quebecer cousins).
One of the most memorable moments I had as a teenager was seeing
Aznavour perform on stage in Montreal. This man, diminutive in stature,
invaded the stage with his presence and voice. I recall taking a step
back into time, perhaps to my parents' youth, although his poetic
lyrics have an everlasting contemporariness to them.
I realized then that one doesn't have to rely on artifice to create
a remarkable show. With Aznavour under a spotlight, his voice and
charisma against a black back drop was all I needed to be transported
to somewhere in Montmartre circa 1966. At the time, I knew very little
of that place and era, and the true impact of his art, but I did know
that it was all very appealing to me.
Leaving my teenage years behind (something Aznavour laments so
masterfully in "Hier Encore"), his songs continue to resonate with
me-as life progresses, as situations and perspectives change and
evolve-and his songs take on new hues.
Whether or not you agree that he is one of the most famous diasporans
around, it would be misguided to diminish Aznavour's contributions
to Armenia, as well as his pure talent, genius, and especially his
place on the world musical stage. Many have critiqued him, frowned
upon some of his decisions and statements, and they are free to do so,
just as the artist himself is free to make his claims.
He is timeless and will be for generations to come. I went to three
more Aznavour concerts over the years. The last one was supposedly part
of his farewell tour. He then came back for one last performance...
It's also known as Armenian persistence. I am almost certain he will
be back to his old love, Quebec.
In the meantime, it wouldn't hurt to have more scattered beads in
the making to namedrop...
From: Baghdasarian
By: Lalai Manjikian
http://www.armenianweekly.com/2011/05/17/manjikain-ode-to-aznavour/
Tue, May 17 2011
Start spreading the news: Aznavour is taking over Manhattan! An
early gala celebrating Armenia's 20th anniversary will take place
in New York City on May 20 and will pay tribute to globally renowned
songwriter and singer Charles Aznavour.
Leaving my teenage years behind (something Aznavour laments so
masterfully in "Hier Encore"), his songs continue to resonate with
me-as life progresses, as situations and perspectives change and
evolve-and his songs take on new hues.
The entertainer will be honoured for his achievements within the
world of music and for his service to Armenia. This sparkling event,
taking place at the lavish Cipriani Wall Street, is organized by the
Fund for Armenian Relief (FAR) and features an honorary committee
including the likes of Liza Minnelli, Tony Bennett, Celine Dion,
Placido Domingo, Atom Egoyan, and Sir Elton John, to name just a few.
Charles Aznavour, a scattered bead himself, is an Armenian ambassador
par excellence throughout Armenia and the diaspora. In fact, he
conveniently holds the actual position of Ambassador of Armenia to
Switzerland. French is the language he mainly creates and sings in,
yet his appeal is universal in more ways than one.
Referred to as a songwriter, composer, philanthropist, and diplomat,
I consider Aznavour as a point of reference in a sea of cultures that
collide within lands built on immigration, such as Canada. On several
occasions, dropping Aznavour's name has salvaged awkward moments
and puzzled expressions following questions like, "What language is
that you're speaking?" or "Where are you from, originally?" When the
answer is stated simply as "Armenian," there is often either a moment
of silence or an unconvincing "Oh." However, the instant I utter the
words, "Armenian, just like Aznavour," a sigh of relief takes over.
Aznavour remains quite popular in a city like Montreal, known for
its bi-cultural and bilingual (French-English) dynamics. The mere
mention of his name triggers an immediate response besides the obvious
ethnic association; the reaction is mostly positive, warm, and often
accompanied by a French-Canadian, or any middle-aged man or woman,
breaking into a spontaneous and passionate rendition of "La Bohème."
Aznavour has a special place in the heart of Quebecers, likely because
Quebec has a tendency to latch on to any cultural expression that is
in French, given their quest for national independence and for the
preservation of the language within the absorbing cultural influences
of English Canada and America just to the south.
However, Aznavour himself has a special attachment to this province.
After all, his conquest of North America first began in Quebec during
the late 1940's, when he performed in cabarets in Montreal and Quebec
City before becoming famous internationally. Charles Aznavour was born
in France, but has established and maintained several professional
and personal ties to this largely francophone metropolis across the
pond, where he remains widely appreciated and revered to this day. In
his memoirs, he refers to his friends and musical entourage in the
province as "nos cousins Quebecois" (our Quebecer cousins).
One of the most memorable moments I had as a teenager was seeing
Aznavour perform on stage in Montreal. This man, diminutive in stature,
invaded the stage with his presence and voice. I recall taking a step
back into time, perhaps to my parents' youth, although his poetic
lyrics have an everlasting contemporariness to them.
I realized then that one doesn't have to rely on artifice to create
a remarkable show. With Aznavour under a spotlight, his voice and
charisma against a black back drop was all I needed to be transported
to somewhere in Montmartre circa 1966. At the time, I knew very little
of that place and era, and the true impact of his art, but I did know
that it was all very appealing to me.
Leaving my teenage years behind (something Aznavour laments so
masterfully in "Hier Encore"), his songs continue to resonate with
me-as life progresses, as situations and perspectives change and
evolve-and his songs take on new hues.
Whether or not you agree that he is one of the most famous diasporans
around, it would be misguided to diminish Aznavour's contributions
to Armenia, as well as his pure talent, genius, and especially his
place on the world musical stage. Many have critiqued him, frowned
upon some of his decisions and statements, and they are free to do so,
just as the artist himself is free to make his claims.
He is timeless and will be for generations to come. I went to three
more Aznavour concerts over the years. The last one was supposedly part
of his farewell tour. He then came back for one last performance...
It's also known as Armenian persistence. I am almost certain he will
be back to his old love, Quebec.
In the meantime, it wouldn't hurt to have more scattered beads in
the making to namedrop...
From: Baghdasarian