The Sanahin Chapter of Hamazkayin Armenian Educational and Cultural Association and the Knar Choir of Hamazkayin together celebrated the 125th anniversary of composer-musician Parsegh Ganachian’s birth on Sunday, June 12, 2011.
With the very first song one could feel and breathe in the major effort and persistence necessary for this event, and for which Varoujan Markarian, the choir conductor worked to prepare his singers. And he succeeded in his efforts. The songs filled the souls of the audience with their essence and rocked their memories.
Ganachian is the one of Gomidas’ four students, who faithfully adopted the master’s art of creating and collecting Armenian folk songs and music. Without having seen the Armenian fatherland, he nourished his intellect from what he learned from Gomidas and has been true to his art. For that very reason and to emphasize that bondage, Varoujan Markarian opened the program with the songs “Hov arek” (“Make breeze”) and “Voh inch anoush” (“Oh how sweet.”)
A well-thought novelty was the presentation of Ganachian’s life stories throughout the concert dedicated to his memory with the purpose of bringing him closer to his people. Four sections of the video produced by the Central Committee of Hamazkayin were presented throughout the concert. The video featured Parsegh Ganachian the man, the musician, the pedagogue, and the family man, as well as his national and international acclaim, the significant merits and honors he received, and especially the Kousan Choir he formed and conducted and which had 300 members; and the role the latter played in both Ganachian’s life and in the formation of the Armenian identity in the diaspora.
In the first part of the program the following Ganachian songs were performed: “Ouri” (“The willow tree,”) one of his well-loved romantic ballads, WITH lyrics by Hovhannes Toumanian and sung by soloist Laura Bererian; “Alvarti yeraze” (“Alvart’s dream,”) lyrics by V. Mirakian and sung by soloist Hilda Okmoushian; “Dzov acher” (“Sea of eyes,”) lyrics by A. Isahagian, soloist Asdghig Esmerian; and a duet, “Tsaikerk” (“Nocturne,”) performed by Asdghig Esmerian and Hilda Okmoushian. It is worth mentioning that the second arrangement of “Tsaikerk” is composed by Bedros Shoujounian, a former conductor of Kousan. Ganachian’s romantic songs are valuable because they are European in their nature, but definitely Armenian in their style. With their deep acuity of both the lyrics and the melodies of the songs they performed, the three above-mentioned soloists gave us an opportunity of genuine enjoyment. They were accompanied on the piano by Rita Shamlian, whose role was equally important in making the art of performing those songs a total success.
On this occasion, it was a great pleasure to enjoy the participation of the Nor Dzaghig Choir of St. Hagop Church. The very meticulous work of choirmaster Elizabeth Harboian was noticeable. The choir Nor Dzaghig filled the concert hall and the hearts of its audience with many Ganachian songs, such as “Dzidzernagi pouine” (“The swallow nest,”) lyrics by Ghazaros Aghayian, “Meghou” (“The bee”) by Kamar Katiba, accompanied on the piano by Talar Harboian. This choir of 6-13-year-old children has already gained some experience. Its members performed with a solemnity and fineness and accompanying the Knar Choir, performed “Haireni garod” (“Yearning of the native”) by S. Shahaziz and received a lengthy ovation from the audience.
In the last part of the program Laura Berberian performed Ganachian’s “Oror” (“Lullaby.”) With her warm and expressive voice and impressive performance, she also performed “Lousnagn yelav” (“The moon has risen,”) lyrics by Levon Shant. The performance of “Naro jan” by Laura Berberian and Levon Der Atamian also received a lengthy ovation. The duo also performed the solos of “Hele hele: Kessabi barerk” (“Hele hele: the dance of Kessab,”) thus ending the program on a lively note.
We love waiting and hoping for great things to happen. We are looking forward to the flow of a new generation of choir singers from Nor Dzaghig to Knar. But on this occasion the lion’s share of the words of appreciation and thankfulness goes to Varoujan Markarian, the talented conductor, whose tireless efforts gave Knar the chance to breathe again. Following this successful concert, it is our wish that the number of its members increases significantly and that the quality of performance reaches such heights that the choir is a source of pride for our community.
Well done, dear servants of the Armenian culture.
Varti Tanielian
Montreal, June 18, 2011