This performance of Komitas Vardapet's String Quartet was featured in our 'Music from Armenia' concert. The Chamber Players of the Greenwich Symphony welcomed guest artists Sami Merdinian, violin, and Annamae Goldstein, violin, who performed this piece alongside David Creswell, viola, and Daniel Miller, cello, on Monday, April 8, 2024 for a live audience at the Greenwich Arts Council in Greenwich, Connecticut.
Komitas Vardapet (1869-1935) was an Armenian priest, musicologist, composer, arranger, singer, and choirmaster, who is considered the founder of the Armenian national school of music. In April 1915, during the Armenian Genocide, Komitas-along with hundreds of other Armenian intellectuals-was arrested and deported to a prison camp by the Ottoman government.
He was soon released under unclear circumstances, experienced a mental breakdown, and developed a severe case of posttraumatic stress disorder. He collected and transcribed over 3,000 pieces of Armenian folk music, in essence defining its identity. More than half of these pieces were subsequently lost and only around 1,200 are extant. This set of beautiful miniatures represents the nostalgia, sorrow, bliss and hopeful voice of a resilient nation.
00:00 Al Ayloughes (The Red Shawl)
02:38 Habrban (Festive Song)
04:23 Shushiki (Girls' Dance)
07:47 Hoy Nazan (Oh, Nazan)
10:32 Karoun A (It’s Spring)
13:53 Echmiadzni Bar (Dance from Echmiadzin)