Konstantin Petrossian belongs to the generation of Armenian composers whose bright personalities and mastery epitomize contemporary Armenian music. Although the scores on this CD were composed relatively recently, many of them have already been widely acc

26 MP3 Songs
CLASSICAL: Choral Music, WORLD: Armenian



Details:
KONSTANTIN PETROSSIAN

Composer, pianist and conductor Konstantin Petrossian graduated from the R.Melikian Music College and Komitas State Conservatory of Yerevan, Armenia. Petrossian lectured on and taught harmony, theory, and chorale arrangement at R.Melikian Music College. Many years he was also Conductor of the Armenian TV/Radio Orchestra, and Director of the Armenian Music Center. K. Petrossianâs works include symphonic, chorales, chamber music, music for movies and theaters. He has given numerous performances in many countries.
K.Petrossian is a member of the following organizations: Union Composers of Armenia, ASCAP, Armenian Musical Assembly.
K.Petrossian serves as Cultural and Music Director of Sts. Sahag and Mesrob Armenian Church in Providence, and hi also been the Artistic Director and Conductor of the Armenian Chorale of Rhode Island, and Armenian Chorale of Greater Worcester (MA). He also serves as the President and Artistic Director of the Armenian Music Festival of Rhode Island, Inc.
------------------------------------------------------------
Konstantin Petrossian belongs to the generation of Armenian composers
whose bright personalities and mastery epitomize contemporary Armenian
music.
Although the scores on this CD were composed relatively recently, many
of them have already been widely acclaimed. Of particular interest,
alongside the vocal and instrumental compositions, is the Hayrenee Ghoghanjner (Chimes of the Homeland) choral cycle of exquisite arrangements of Armenian songs that combine the traditional style created by greater armenian composer Komitas and the contemporary creative approach.
While the Chimes of the Homeland cycle in itself provides a worthy and remarkable contribution to the choral art, likewise the brilliant work of the Komitas Chamber Choir directed by Hovhannes Mirzoyan (Yerevan State Conservatory of Music) and their fruitful cooperation with the composer have contributed to this marvelous musical accomplishment.

by Edward Mirzoyan, Composer
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Choral cycle âHayrenee Ghoghanjnerâ(Chimes of the Homeland) by Konstantin Petrossian consists of ten choral arrangements of folk songs, representing various genres and themes.
1.2.3. The first three out of the assortment represent love poetry. Aysor Oorbat
Piter (Today Is Friday ) is full of sadness caused by the separation of two loving hearts,
Berditsu Ashetsee (I Looked From the Cave) tells a story of intense longing for the loved
one and Lusnakn Arer (The Moon Has Set In) reflects feelings of tender love.
4. They are followed by Tamzara (Armenian Dance Song), a popular Western Armenian dance tune, which owes its unique charm to peculiar rhythms.
5. Sandee Yerk (Labor Song) is an example of a labor song originating from the Shatakh
Vaspurakan Province. Its opening exclamations are typical for songs of this genre, driving the rhythm of the work.
6. Widely popular among the Armenians, Sona Yar (Armenian Dance Song) is a dance song, performed by dancers in a circle. The pattern originates from the town of Van and
is different from Komidasâ recording and arrangement Sona Yar.
7. In the Western Armenian mourning song Al Chem Khagha (I Shall Play No More â Mourning Song), sadness is created by a beautiful lyrical melody winding against the tender rolling of suspended voices.
8. The extremely popular Arshakn Yelav (Arshak Rises â Tragic Song), also known as Shorora Salat, tells the story of the young fisherman, Arshak, who is perishing in the sea
while his wife, Salat, unaware of his death, dances at a feast. The
masterful, elaborate use of the chorus and the deliberate disconnection
of the melody from the dance rhythm underscores the grim and tragic
background of Salat's dance.
9. Contrasting with it is the Akh Sevavor, Sevig Aghchig (Oh Dark, Dark Girl) duet displaying the facetious song genre. This is a dialog between the mother, who wants her daughter to marry a wealthy person by the name Van, and the girl who is in love with the poor villager Sako.
10. The dance tune of Kanachel a Arteru (The Garden Has Blossomed) emerged in the town of Shirak where it is still popular.
Following one another as an exquisite and picturesque illustration of
life in the countryside, these tender songs bring with them the flavor
of the composer's homeland - Armenia.

by Alina Pahlevanian,
Ethnomusicologist, Professor of the Komitas Conservatory of Music