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Stuff.co.nz, New Zealand
March 30 2014
Review: Serj Tankian
CHRISTOPHER MOORE
Serj Tankian's sole New Zealand concert in Christchurch was
intriguing, provocative and riveting stuff; an event which proved that
innovative music can demolish established musical boundaries.
In every sense, this was an epic production which presented the CSO
with the challenge of extending itself well beyond its comfort zone to
perform on an equal footing with a man and his music possessing such
explosive energy.
If the gamble failed, the performance could have sunk without trace -
especially when confronted by a responsive and vocal audience largely
composed of dedicated Tankian fans.
The Armenian-American musician, composer, poet and singer has walked
an interesting road since the days as lead singer with the rock band
System of a Down. Today Tankian's compositions carry the essence of
jazz, electronic, classical and cabaret music to create something
which defies precise definition. Post-Modernist Romanticism perhaps?
Saturday's concert focused on the Elect the Dead symphony,
orchestrated by New Zealand composer John Psathas and Orca, Tankian's
most recent work. The first, arguably more song cycle than symphony,
relies on a soloist with a truly dramatic vocal range to succeed.
Tankian's voice could never be described as pretty but it's
unforgettable and it refused to be dominated by the orchestra.
Together the CSO and Tankian gave a gripping raw, lyrical and dark
hued performance.
I confess to being less smitten by the Orca Symphony which carried
more than a hint of a cinema soundtrack. That was before the arrival
of the fourth movement featuring a traditional Armenian oboe, the
Duduk, played with soulful eloquence by Vardan Grigoryan. Personally,
this was the most extraordinary moment in an evening of extraordinary
musical revelations.
Serj Tankian and the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra. The Orca and
Elect the Dead Symphony.
Tour: Saturday March 29, the CBS Arena, Christchurch.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/music/gig-reviews/9885003/Review-Serj-Tankian
March 30 2014
Review: Serj Tankian
CHRISTOPHER MOORE
Serj Tankian's sole New Zealand concert in Christchurch was
intriguing, provocative and riveting stuff; an event which proved that
innovative music can demolish established musical boundaries.
In every sense, this was an epic production which presented the CSO
with the challenge of extending itself well beyond its comfort zone to
perform on an equal footing with a man and his music possessing such
explosive energy.
If the gamble failed, the performance could have sunk without trace -
especially when confronted by a responsive and vocal audience largely
composed of dedicated Tankian fans.
The Armenian-American musician, composer, poet and singer has walked
an interesting road since the days as lead singer with the rock band
System of a Down. Today Tankian's compositions carry the essence of
jazz, electronic, classical and cabaret music to create something
which defies precise definition. Post-Modernist Romanticism perhaps?
Saturday's concert focused on the Elect the Dead symphony,
orchestrated by New Zealand composer John Psathas and Orca, Tankian's
most recent work. The first, arguably more song cycle than symphony,
relies on a soloist with a truly dramatic vocal range to succeed.
Tankian's voice could never be described as pretty but it's
unforgettable and it refused to be dominated by the orchestra.
Together the CSO and Tankian gave a gripping raw, lyrical and dark
hued performance.
I confess to being less smitten by the Orca Symphony which carried
more than a hint of a cinema soundtrack. That was before the arrival
of the fourth movement featuring a traditional Armenian oboe, the
Duduk, played with soulful eloquence by Vardan Grigoryan. Personally,
this was the most extraordinary moment in an evening of extraordinary
musical revelations.
Serj Tankian and the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra. The Orca and
Elect the Dead Symphony.
Tour: Saturday March 29, the CBS Arena, Christchurch.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/music/gig-reviews/9885003/Review-Serj-Tankian