Mayrig To Armenian Mothers

Description

In 1906, Komitas gave a concert and a lecture in Paris. Debussy came on stage at the end of the concert and knelt before the Armenian composer (also a priest, singer, and pioneer of ethnomusicology), exclaiming: "I bow before your genius, Holy Father."
"Komitas is the voice of the land of Armenia, of its churches and its stones that have remained silent for centuries," continues the violinist David Haroutunian. With mezzo-soprano Eva Zaïcik, who has become passionate about these melodies, and pianist Xénia Maliarevitch, they pay tribute to this great musician, as well as to the Franco-Armenian composer Garbis Aprikian, who is now 96 years old. Heir to Komitas, a student of Olivier Messiaen, he has greatly contributed to spreading Armenian music, both classical and popular, in France and beyond. His Lamento opens the album, a beautiful evocation and touching reverence to Komitas.