The arched vaults of New York’s St. Vartan Cathedral rang with soaring music on the evening of Saturday, October 4, thanks to a unique concert event titled “Jazzical Komitas and Classical Aznavour.”
The concert went forward under the auspices of Diocesan Primate Bishop Mesrop Parsamyan. On behalf of the Primate, Cathedral Vicar Fr. Davit Karamyan welcomed the sold-out audience to an evening of visionary artistry—one which honored the Armenian musical heritage while looking optimistically to the future.
Virtuoso jazz pianist Joel Martin set the evening’s tone by offering a modern take on the immortal works of Komitas Vartabed. Leading a jazz trio including David Dunaway on string bass and Jon Berger on drums, Martin revealed how Komitas’ music can lend itself to fresh interpretations that transmit its emotional richness in remarkable new ways.
The program turned to the work of another Armenian musical icon—the great Charles Aznavour—with a riveting performance by the National Chamber Orchestra of Armenia: a 22-piece string orchestra under the baton of conductor and artistic director Sipan Hakobyan Olah.
Gorgeous melodies from Aznavour’s repertoire were made even more emotionally resonant by the ensemble’s lush orchestral arrangements. Hayarpi Yeghikyan and Maestro Olah devoted their beautiful soprano and tenor voices to Aznavour’s poetic lyrics, in a moving tribute to the late French-Armenian musician.
Creative Elements to Enhance the Musical Experience
In a creative touch that added a visual element to the evening, artist Tamara Harutyunyan painted on an easel adjacent to the performers, channeling the evening’s dynamic sounds and the cathedral setting into impressive works of art.
Among the guests at the concert was Ambassador Parouyr Hovannisyan, Armenia’s newly appointed Permanent Representative to the United Nations, and the directors of the National Chamber Orchestra, Felix Baburyan and Garegin Sargsyan.
The concert concluded with tremendous applause from the audience, and gratitude expressed to the musicians and organizers. Afterwards, guests and artists alike enjoyed the warm autumn air during a lovely reception on the outdoor plaza, with the edifice of St. Vartan Cathedral dramatically illuminated by colored lights.
The concert was a presentation of the St. Vartan Cathedral Cultural Committee and the Hi-Am Foundation.
The St. Vartan Cathedral Cultural Committee, under Cathedral Vicar Fr. Davit Karamyan, was led by Vicki Shoghag Hovanessian and her co-chair Seta Paskalian-Kantardjian, and included Tamar Degirmenci, Sossy Setrakian, Lily Sarkissian, Yn. Alla Terzyan, and Dr. Ara Tekian; with support from Emma Arakelyan and Talin Kupelian.
“Jazzical Komitas and Classical Aznavour” was made possible by the generosity of the following benefactors: The Dadourian Foundation (Major Platinum Donor); Dr. Anna Kazanchyan, Herman and Arek Hinteryan, Vicki Shoghag Hovanessian, Hratch and Suzanne Toufayan (Gold Donors); Adrienne Alexanian, Lucy Bourghol, Dr. Jacques Gulekjian, Adrine Katchadurian, Hagop and Ica Kouyoumdjian, Toros Mangassarian, Seta Nalbandian, Levon and Claudia Nazarian, the Nazarian Family Foundation, Vera Anush Nazarian, Nabil and Houry Nouri, Lily Sarkissian, and Alex and Arda Yemenidjian (Silver Donors); Shoghig Manoukian, and Dr. Vaghenag and Shoghig Tarpinian (Bronze Donors).
Click here to view a gallery of photos by photographer Harout Barsoumian.