Komitas
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Garik & Sona: Clinking their way through Armenian folk music dreams
Newly available on YouTube are ten songs from “Zngl,” the debut album Garik & Sona were shy to release until the summer of 2021. Finally, catchy hooks and dynamic melodies add up to an album full of Armo-folk songs you won’t mind getting stuck in your head. What makes Garik & Sona stand out from other similar bands? More importantly, what is their impact on Armenian folk music? H-pem has had the chance to sit down and interview Garik Papoyan and Sona Rubenyan after a sold-out concert. Check out our exclusive interview below!
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The Komitas Museum-Institute: A shrine worthy of a joyful spirit
Every year thousands of people step into the Komitas Museum-Institute in Armenia to learn about the creative world of Komitas Vardapet, his extraordinary gift as a composer, his noble mission as a collector of Armenian folk songs, his captivating spiritual music, and his inspiring, yet tragic life. On a visit to the museum, we talked with a couple of experts about the challenges of showcasing an icon who is revered as the founder of the Armenian national school of music.
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On this day - Jun. 17, 1971: Armenia's favorite poet, the voice of a nation, Paruyr Sevak died
Fifty years ago today, Paruyr Sevak, one of the greatest Armenian poets of the twentieth century, died in a mysterious car crash. News of his death sent shock waves across the nation, from his village home to the far corners of the Armenian Diaspora.
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On this day - Apr. 17, 1885: Composer and conductor Parsegh Ganatchian was born
Birthday celebrations take a poignant turn in April. On this day in 1885, Parsegh Ganatchian, the composer of Armenia’s national anthem, «Մեր հայրենիք» (“Mer hayrenik” | “Our Fatherland”) was born. He had survived the Armenian Genocide by playing the violin to Ottoman army officers!
interview
Posthumous vibes: The sun and hope of Harutyun Topikyan’s eternal love
More than 40 days ago, on this day, amid the chaos of COVID-19 and the existential battles on various fronts in Artsakh, one of the titanic figures of Armenian choral music, Maestro Harutyun Topikyan, the artistic director and conductor of the Yerevan Chamber Choir succumbed to the vicious virus, months after candidly exposing his unwavering love for Komitas Vardapet in a candid interview with h-pem contributor Gohar Topchyan.
interview
Reckoning quarter tones and beating the odds: Barkev Taslakian reaches polyphonic peaks
Looking up to his “great teacher” Komitas, Maestro Barkev Taslakian relishes in breaking the mold and making history. His Fayha Choir is all about presenting unprecedented a capella renditions of Arabic songs, which have resonated with and captured the hearts of international audiences. Taslakian takes this vision even further to topple negative stereotypes and to promote unity and cultural diversity in an ever-divided world...
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Komitas Medley - The Yerevan State Chamber Choir
A medley of Komitas songs performed by the Yerevan State Chamber Choir at the Mkhitar Sebastatsi Educational Complex of Yerevan on July 27, 2019. (Live recording/stream)
Performers: Yerevan State Chamber Choir
Chief Conductor: Harutyun Topikyan (Founder; Artistic Director)
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'Sareri Hovin Mernem': The timeless love ballad
If there were any misgivings about Armenian being a language of love and romance, this song should put those doubts to rest. "Sareri Hovin Mernem (Սարերի հովին մեռնեմ)" (“I’ll Die for the Wind of the Mountains”) is just one of those songs that can have you drop whatever you are doing to listen. Every. Single. Time.
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