SONGS OF EXILE

In the organizer's words:

Program:
"Songs of Exile - Lieder aus der Verbannung": texts by Mkrtich Naghash, music by John Hodian

With its geographical location on the southern slope of the Caucasus, Armenia is a fascinating cultural country. Its eventful, in parts long-suffering history under various rulers - including Byzantines, Mongols, Ottomans, Persians and Turks - makes its rich musical culture an interface between Christian Western and Oriental influences. John Hodian, an American composer with Armenian roots, focuses on this with his Naghash Ensemble. The ensemble takes its name from the Armenian priest Mkrtich Naghash, who in the 15th century left behind moving, timeless poems about life in exile and man's relationship with God. For her setting, Hodian combines the spirituality of traditional Armenian music with new classical music, post-minimalism and the energy of jazz and rock. Three singers and four instrumentalists on the oboe-like duduk, the lute oud and the drums dhol and dumbek, as well as Hodian on the piano, breathe new life into Naghash's poems - sometimes mystical and oriental, sometimes minimalist and classical, sometimes jazzy and vibrant, but always moving and compelling!

The Naghash Ensemble Armenia:
John Hodian piano and composition
Hasmik Baghdasaryan soprano
Tatevik Movsesyan soprano
Arpine Ter-Petrosyan Alto
Harutyun Chkolyan Duduk (Armenian oboe type), Shvi (Armenian flute)
Aramayis Nikoghosyan Oud (kink-necked lute)
Tigran Hovhannisyan Dhol (cylinder drum), Dumbek (cup drum), Daf (frame drum)

Price information:

Tickets € 30 / 25 / 20 (20% discount)