PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Chris Zakian
Tel: (212) 686-0710; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:
December 16, 2014
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A Christmas Concert AT ST. VARTAN CATHEDRAL
By Florence Avakian
Christmas is the season of magic, giving, and the joy of children, and
St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral in New York was bubbling with all three
qualities on Saturday afternoon, December 6. More than 500 people
crowded the sanctuary for an uplifting program of seasonal music.
Warmly welcoming the large crowd, Diocesan Vicar General the Very Rev.
Fr. Simeon Odabashian expressed his happiness that the cathedral was
filled with so many children, parents, and grandparents. He thanked
the cathedral dean, the Very Rev. Fr. Mamigon Kiledjian, for
organizing the event.
“Today, we are celebrating young people and young talent,” Fr. Simeon
said.
He expressed appreciation to Continental Advisory Services LLC,
Diocesan Administrator Jacob H. Yahiahyan, and Tigran and Artyom
Sahakyan, whose generosity made the celebration possible. A celebrity
in the crowd was the renowned diva of the Metropolitan Opera, Lucine
Amara.
To enthusiastic applause, the 12 young singers of the Zangakner
performing arts ensemble walked briskly onto the stage with their
artistic director and conductor Hasmik Konjoyan. Even after five hours
of early morning travel from Boston, the young singers-ranging in age
from 9 to 13, and dressed in matching white and black outfits-were
bright-eyed and filled with youthful energy.
Their nostalgic program of Armenian songs from beloved Armenian
composers was performed with mature understanding and a professional
demeanor. During the solos, the older members sang with bell-like
voices.
Among the well-known numbers presented were Qahanyan’s lyrical Im
Anoush Mayrig which reduced many in the audience to tears; Gomidas
Vartabed’s lilting Kagavik; and Altounyan’s Hoy Nazan Im Yareh and
Ghapama, both sung with gusto.
To everyone’s delight, out marched a group of four-year-old children,
11 girls and two boys, dressed in matching dresses and suits, holding
hands, and lining up in front of their older peers. With amazing
coordination, they swayed, sang, and clapped to their own special
musical numbers.
The Zangakner ensemble was formed four years ago by Hasmik Konjoyan
“with the mission of bringing the world of music to Armenian children
from various schools in the Greater Boston area.” They have performed
at the Children’s Planet, and at the 2014 Musical Odyssey holiday
musicals. Ms. Konjoyan, originally from Armenia, has had concert
performances in Europe, Canada, and the U.S., and previously was the
artistic director and conductor of the award-winning Kantegh
children’s choir, and founder and conductor of the Luys Zvart
children’s choir. She has several recordings to her credit.
A wonder to behold
Following a short intermission, a 10-year-old “wonder to behold” took
the stage. Violinist Simon Hagopian-Rogers is small in size, but
enormous in talent. Accompanying him on piano was his mentor, the
master pianist, ethnomusicologist, and renowned television and radio
performer ªahan Arzruni.
Tackling a diverse classical program, the pair began their performance
with the two-movement Sonata for violin and piano by Pietro Locatelli,
with its impressive phrasing and rhythms. It was followed by the much
loved rhapsodic and lyrical Chant-Poeme by Khachaturian, played with
great feeling and understanding.
Bizet’s Fantasia on Carmen took in all forms of musical magic. The two
musicians played with formidable technique, fiery expression, and
concluded the many and different segments of the familiar music with a
virtuosic and exciting finale. Their beautifully coordinated
performance melded together in sheer artistry, and brought on a
thunderous standing ovation.
Simon Hagopian-Rogers, born in New York City, is the grandson of
acclaimed oudist Richard Hagopian, who is teaching Armenian music to
the 10-year-old prodigy. He attends the Kaufman Center Special Music
School on a full scholarship. Playing the violin since age four, he
won the second prize at the International Violin Competition in
Cremona, Italy, at age eight. He has performed for famed violinists
Joshua Bell and Uto Ughi, and attended master classes with Maxim
Vengerov. He also studies piano and composition in Juilliard’s
pre-college program.
ªahan Arzruni has played in concerts around the world as a recitalist,
chamber music partner, and orchestral soloist. His many
accomplishments include writing, lecturing and producing. As a
Steinway artist, he has recorded more than 20 albums, with a special
focus on repertoire by the masters and Armenian composers specifically
for younger pianists. Recently, he recorded the complete works of
Gomidas. He has given command performances at the White House, as well
as the British, Swedish, Danish and Icelandic courts.
The extraordinary concert ended with a medley of joyful Greek,
Russian, English, and Armenian Christmas songs, sung in perfect
harmony by the Zangakner group. It ushered in the dashing entrance of
Santa Claus-to the delight of all the youngsters.
Expressing appreciation to all the performers, St. Vartan Cathedral
dean Fr. Mamigon Kiledjian announced that Zankagner would return to
the church for the Easter celebration on April 5, “so that we can be
uplifted again.”
After the inspiring concert, the lighting of the large Christmas tree
on the cathedral plaza went forward despite incessant rain. The tree
was purchased and donated by Tigran and Artyom Sahakyan, two dedicated
brothers who also are officials of the Times Square commemorations.
Fr. Kiledjian led the cheerful countdown, as the lighting brought on a
joyful outburst, after which the crowd warmed up at a reception in the
church hall replete with Armenian delicacies and Christmas fun.
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Photos attached.
Photo 1: Singers of the Zangakner performing arts ensemble at St. Vartan
Cathedral.
Photo 2: Violinist Simon Hagopian-Rogers and pianist ªahan Arzruni.
Photo 3: Children at the tree-lighting ceremony on the cathedral plaza.
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