Music of Narekatsi, Komitas and Altunyan - Azat Fishyan, violin and conductor

La Folia Kammerorchester [Community Orchestra] Azat Fishyan, violin and conductor Grigor Narekatsi (950 AD) -Havoun havoun (solo violin) Vardapet Komitas (1869-1935) -Kele Kele -Al Aylughs -Habrban -Kakavik -Keler Tsoler (Quartet) Improvisations on Armenian Melodies (Solo Violin) Ruben Altunyan (1939-2021) -Kochari -Berdi Par Program Note: The chosen pieces, their order and the performance depicts the life of Komitas that mirrors the story of Armenia and its people. It gives us a little glance of celebration of life in Armenian culture, regardless of its dark past and a challenging present and shows us a path towards better future. First we hear an Armenian Melody by Grikor Narekatsi from 10 century (solo violin) representing the birth of Komitas and Armenian culture. This follows four folk pieces collected and notated by Komitas. Introducing us to his work and the peasant culture of Armenia. A culture of hard work and survival, of celebrating life as a community and communicating with nature through dances and songs. Following this, we find Komitas alone singing a song of longing and despair (quartet) after witnessing the genocide of his own people. A horrific act that left a scar on Komitas, Armenia and its future generations. This leads Komitas towards a shattering of his inner world. (Solo Improvisations) He looses his mind and falls asleep into a dream of a pain and longing. A dream that becomes part of every Armenians identity. The musical journey ends with the conquering and eventual freedom from this nightmare. Showing us the path away from a state of victimization to unity and love.