Author: Hambardsumian Paul

CANADIAN SOPRANOS EXPLORE EXOTIC SONGS
by Bradley Bambarger, [email protected]

The Star-Ledger – NJ.com
Monday October 06, 2008, 4:19 PM
NJ

Soprano Isabel Bayrakdarian is featured on the new CD "Gomidas
Songs.">"Gomidas Songs." Isabel Bayrakdarian, soprano; Gevorg
Dabaghyan, duduk; Serouj Kradjian, piano; Armenian Philharmonic
Chamber Players, Eduard Topchjan, cond. (Nonesuch). Four stars

Gomidas Vardapet (1869-1935) is the patron saint of Armenian classical
music. (His church name — he was born Soghomon Soghomonyan —
is usually transliterated for recordings as Komitas.) He collated
thousands of traditional Armenian songs and dances; he also composed
new secular and sacred works threaded with the tradition’s haunting
melodic flavor. Although he survived the Armenian genocide of 1915,
he was a broken man after that.

The music of Gomidas has been recorded by artists from violist
Kim Kashkashian and pianist Grigory Sokolov to Djivan Gasparyan,
master of the Armenian national instrument, the oboe-like duduk. But
this labor-of-love disc by Canadian soprano Isabel Bayrakdarian, of
Armenian descent, may receive the most attention. A charming artist
with a warm, gleaming voice and up-and-coming opera career, the
34-year-old Bayrakdarian sounds utterly authentic in these piquant,
touching songs. (She first sang Gomidas for Atom Egoyan’s "Ararat,"
a 2002 film about the Armenian genocide; the director wrote an
introductory note for her album.)

The apt pianist is Bayrakdarian’s husband, Serouj Kradjian, who also
wrote the subtly ornamental string-and-wind arrangements, with the
duduk’s apricot-wood timbre a primary color. The music sounds very
Eastern and minimalist, and mostly sad; only a Rossini-influenced
number strikes a false note. Highlights include the heartbreaking
"Oror" (Lullaby), the sighing romantic lament "Karoon" (Spring)
and more dramatic "Andooni" (Without a Home), a favorite of Debussy
when he heard Gomidas in Paris. Bayrakdarian will sing these songs
at Carnegie’s Zankel Hall on Oct. 20.

Messiaen: "Chants de Terre et de Ciel." Suzie LeBlanc, soprano;
Lawrence Wiliford, tenor; Laura Andriani, violin; Robert Kortgaard,
piano. (Atma). Four stars

The records marking the centenary of French modernist Olivier
Messiaen (1908-1992) have been disappointingly thin, being mostly
multiple versions of his "Quartet for the End of Time." So, this
thoughtfully conceived, beautifully realized recital disc does a
great service. Featuring French-Canadian soprano Suzie LeBlanc, the
program highlights the songwriting of the young Messiaen, when he
was enraptured with his first, short-lived wife and under the spell
of Debussy.

There is an ecstatic quality to the cycles "Trois Melodies" and
"Chants de Terre et de Ciel" (Songs of the Earth and Sky), all
swooning lyricism and moonlit atmosphere. These are deeply French,
high-art songs, crafted like jewels. But they also have an effortless
naturalism, especially with a singer like LeBlanc. The soprano,
in her mid-40s, has specialized in Baroque repertoire, but she has
also explored the folk tunes of her Acadian heritage. Her tone is
silvery, clear and floating (with the barest vibrato), her phrasing
intimate like she’s singing just for you. These qualities are ideal,
as Messiaen’s songs are about romantic faith and spiritual love.

The piano parts are rich, with Messiaen giving impressionistic harmony
a modernist update. The composer’s first wife was a violinist,
and he wrote several pieces for her, including the ravishingly
lyrical "Vocalise" for violin and piano, played lovingly here by
Laura Andriani. Also included is the melodious "Theme et Variations"
for violin and piano, with Andriani taking it at flowing pace while
managing the most poetic close.

The rarity here is "La Mort du Nombre," a dramatic mini-cantata for
soprano, tenor, violin and piano by the 21-year-old Messiaen that shows
the influence of Wagner’s love music through the prism of Debussy’s
"Pelleas et Melisande." Lawrence Wiliford may sound a bit callow next
to LeBlanc, but they entwine intensely enough, the piece ending with
shimmering, love-struck piano.

FROM PRESIDENT SERGE SARGSYAN’S MESSAGE ADDRESSED TO THE PEOPLE AND THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Hayots Ashkhar Daily
03 Oct 2008
Armenia

Dear compatriots,

We have lots of work to do. To develop our economy, consolidate our
state, provide security, but besides all the before mentioned we have
a super issue – we need to regain our values to achieve what we want
to achieve and to maintain what we have.

Lots of things have been deteriorated nowadays. Our work will be
senseless if the coming generations grow with wrong dreams, if our
children dream of having expensive cars instead of winning in the
Olympic games. Our work will be senseless if we don’t turn our faces
to the development of education.

What we really need is scientists, who will reveal the secrets
of the space; we also need scientists who willingly transfer
their knowledge to the coming generations, because it is due to
this bigheartedness that tomorrow the new generations will make
unprecedented revelations. We need constructors, who will build roads
and buildings, but we more need those who will build the roads passing
round the forests because tomorrow their daughters and sons will walk
in those forests. We need professional doctors who have compassion,
because pills can heal today and compassion can heal always.

Education must be the bases of our values. With all the skills and
knowledge the pupils must=2 0learn to love and believe. This is the
most complex educational standard, because if in all the other cases
you can achieve something by different teaching methods, in this case
the only way is your individual example.

Which means those who educate they must possess these values. A word
without actions is not convincing. Consequently the cornerstone of
our educational policy must be the transformation of our values.

It is not only the responsibility of the government and the Ministry
of Education. Everyone must be responsible for it.

Dear Compatriots,

This is what I wanted to say to our people and the National Assembly.

I would like to finish my speech by voicing my clear stance regarding
certain issues.

1. We all know that in our reality certain individuals want to come
out from the position of power, they think that they are allowed
to solve certain issues by the help of their arms. I would like to
clearly announce that for me it is simply unacceptable. No one is
non-punishable in the Republic of Armenia; no one has the right
to ascribe the functions of the state to himself. I suggest that
everyone avoids similar misbehavior, because the consequences will
really be visible.

2. Secondly I appeal to the representatives of the pro-oppositional
and pro-governmental camps, journalists, social workers, and everyone
in general, to stop publicly hurting one another. Because it has
gone beyond a ll the limits. It seems to have become a norm in our
reality. Let’s stop, because this road will take to nowhere.

KAREKIN II BLESSES HRANUSH HAKOBIAN ON THE OCCASION OF ASSUMING POST OF DIASPORA MINISTER

ARMENPRESS
Oct 2, 2008

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 2, ARMENPRESS: Armenian Diaspora Minister Hranush
Hakobian visited Holy See of St. Etchmiadzin and met with His Holiness
Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II.

Press service of the ministry told Armenpress that Karekin II blessed
H. Hakobian on the occasion of assuming the honorable and responsible
post. Hranush Hakobian presented to the Catholicos the Armenia-Diaspora
partnership development concept which was highly approved.

The archbishops also presented a number of suggestions and expressed
readiness to closely cooperate with the ministry.

DAVID NALBANDIAN IN ARMENIA

armradio.am
02.10.2008 13:20

Legendary Argentinean Armenian tennis player David Nalbandian arrived
in Yerevan last night.

This is David Nalbandian’s first visit to historic Motherland. He
arrived in Armenia at the invitation of the President of the Tennis
Federation of Armenia, MP Harutyun Pambukyan and famous Argentinean
Armenian businessman Eduardo Ernekian. He will spend three days
in Armenia.

On September 29 a reception in honor of world-known Argentinean
Armenian tennis player David Nalbandian was organized in Buenos
Ayres on the occasion of granting him a passport of special status
of residence in the Republic of Armenia.

The reception was attended by the Deputy Minister of Sport of Buenos
Ayres Francisca Irarasaval, Chairman of the Economic Development
Commission of the Parliament of Buenos Ayres Andrea Makhyan, member
of the Chamber of Deputies of the Parliament of the State of Buenos
Ayres Sergio Nahapetyan, Former Minister of Security of the State
of Buenos Ayres Leon Carlos Arslanyan, national benefactors Eduardo
Seferyan and Armen Metsaturyan, famous doctor Daniel Stambulyan,
known politician and economist Carlos Melkonyan, other celebrated
figures of the Argentinean Armenian community.

Armenian Ambassador Vladimir Karmirshalyan came forth with a speech,
congratulating David Nalbandian on behalf of the authorities and
thousands of his fans in Armenia and handed him the passport of s
pecial residence status. The Armenian Ambassador wished success to
the sportsman, who currently ranks 7th in the world rating list.

Greatly inspires and excited, David Nalbandian expressed gratitude to
the Armenian authorities and informed that during his visit to Armenia
he would hold a special "master class" for Armenian tennis players.

The next day, on September 30, the event at the Armenian Embassy was
largely covered by local media.

ACCORDING TO SERZH SARGSYAN, NEWLY ELECTED SPEAKER OF NATIONAL ASSEMBLY TO RAISE EFFICIENCY OF PARLIAMENTRAY ACTIVITIES

Noyan Tapan

Se p 29, 2008

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 29, NOYAN TAPAN. In connection with the election
of Hovik Abrahamian as the speaker of the RA National Assembly,
Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan sent a message of congratulation
to H. Arahamian. The message reads:

"Dear Mr. Abrahamian.

I congratulate you on your election as the speaker of the National
Assembly.

Since now you will use your abilities and work experience of many
years to raise the efficiency of the activities of our parliament. I
am convinced that your activity as the speaker of the National Assembly
will be aimed at deepening the reforms in Armenia.

I congratulate you once again on your assumption of the post of the
National Assembly speaker and I wish you successful activities."

PRESS RELEASE
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Information Services
Address:  Vagharshapat, Republic of Armenia
Contact:  Rev. Fr. Ktrij Devejian
Tel:  +374-10-517163
Fax:  +374-10-517301
E-Mail:  [email protected]
Website: 
September 28, 2008

THE MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS KAREKIN II
SUPREME PATRIARCH AND CATHOLICOS OF ALL ARMENIANS
ON THE OCCASION OF THE BLESSING OF THE HOLY MURON
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, 28 September 2008

In the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

"YOU SHALL PREPARE OIL FOR HOLY ANNOINTING…
IT IS SACRED, AND THEREFORE SHOULD REMAIN SACRED FOR YOU."
(EXODUS 30:25-32)

Dear pious Armenian pilgrims,

>From the heights of heaven, holiness descends once more today and disperses
blessing, grace and exuberance over our homeland, within our souls, and
throughout the whole of Armenian life.  In the Mother See of Holy
Etchmiadzin, with the prayerful participation of the sons and daughters of
our nation dispersed throughout the world, we bless the Holy Muron (Chrism)
according to the words granted from our Lord.  Glory, unending praise and
thanks to our all-provident God.

It is through the beneficent Will of God, that on this festive day of the
Holy Cross of Varag, we have gathered together with joyful souls to bless
the Holy Muron.  We are together in our holiest site where Christ Himself
descended, which was drawn with heavenly lights as the center of witness of
faith and the altar of oath for our people and for all time.  For continuous
centuries, guided by the spirit of pilgrimage, our Armenian nation,
reinforced and renewed with faith, sees their illuminated path to eternity –
their path to salvation and God.  "So that this illuminates us with faith
and we grow in the house of God; so that this renews us with the graces of
the Holy Spirit and fills us, makes us fruitful and bountiful with the
same." (Catholicos of All Armenians Simeon of Yerevan).  The God-granted and
soul-sustaining mission of Holy Etchmiadzin, from the time of Saint Gregory
our Illuminator, is dispersed and distributed through the Holy Muron to our
churches, our hearths and Armenian life around the globe.

On this grace-renewing day of the Blessing of the Holy Muron, we mixed the
most noble, aromatic and healing liquids with the fruit of the olive tree –
the symbol of peace with our Creator.  To this virtuous mixture, we combined
the previous Muron, through which, we transmit the oil blessed by our Lord
from generation to generation; and also mixed the newly made Muron of the
Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia.  We blessed it with our sacred
and cherished relics – with the saving Cross of our Lord, the Holy Lance,
and the Holy Right Hand of our Illuminator Pontiff.  With the warmest
prayers of our souls, we appealed for the intercession of our holy
forefathers, so that the newly blessed Muron, through the permeation of the
Holy Spirit, becomes "the seal of heavenly cleanliness".  We prayed that the
seven virtues of heaven be distributed within our lives, and as God has
directed, the Muron be and always remain sacred for all of us.  Today, this
Muron receives miraculous power with the heavenly graces of the Holy
Spirit.  Today, this substance, through prayer and entreaty, becomes
conscious and alive, "I sanctify you, oil of the olive tree, in the name of
Almighty God… so that all influences and powers of satan be persecuted by
you, so that you become strengthened with blessing, to seal the Holy Spirit
on all those whom you anoint, in the name of the Almighty Father and the Son
– our Lord Jesus Christ." (Canon of the Blessing of the Muron).

Through the benevolent Will of God, the Holy Muron is holy and sanctifies. 
With the luminous and sweet aromatic Muron, we consecrate our churches;
transforming them into the house of God.  Through their ordination with
Muron, clergymen are called to service at the holy altar of our Lord.  
Through the grace-bearing and grace-dispersing Muron, we are born from the
baptismal font as the worthy people of God – as the Holy Armenian Apostolic
Church.  Through the seal of the Holy Muron, we recognize, live, feel and
protect our Armenian and Christian identity and our national wholeness. 
Sealed with Holy Muron, we have triumphed over all wars of life and death;
over all campaigns for survival and endurance, for the sake of our faith and
our homeland.  Through the power and light of the Muron, we unite our past,
present and the future of our children.

The Blessing of the Holy Muron, dear Armenian sons and daughters, is a call
and invitation to our nation, to remain under the graces of holiness, to
renounce evil and its works, and to keep the light of our Lord’s gospel
undimmed in our lives.  The Blessing of the Muron is an exhortation to live
with Christ, to walk with Christ, since you were baptized in Christ and took
on the garment of Christ with the Holy Muron. (ref. Gal 3:27)  Only with our
Lord and the love He bestows, shall goodness and justice reign in our
lives.  Only thus shall the sacred faith our fathers remain unshaken and
immaculate in our hearts, and our paths shall become successful and full of
hope.

Today we, as Pontiff of All Armenians, are encouraged and optimistic, filled
with the hopes of the future, since in our native land of Armenia and
Artsakh, in our revitalized Church, in our independent state, but especially
in the healthy inner-life of our people, we feel and see the awakening and
maturing will and imperative to be cleansed, to be purified, and to create a
righteous society and just state.  We see the will and the demand to heal
our national wounds, to overcome the difficulties in our ecclesiastical life
– the divisions and diverging opinions brought on by the times.  So that in
Armenian life, we are one and united, always and forever – one nation, one
faith, one Church – with our united homeland, and to proceed to new
accomplishments with one will and one mind, to the realization of our
righteous aspirations and worthy goals, to the lasting refuge provided for
us by God.

We are optimistic and encouraged from all the goodness bequeathed to our
nation by God, from all good works that are fruitful in Armenian life in
dispersion, from plans turning into reality which serve the welfare of our
people, the prosperity of our homeland, and the vibrancy of our Holy
Church.  Let us unite and strengthen our efforts so that our native land
blossoms and lives in God-granted peace and liberty, and gains strength with
our Lord’s true love, with the devotion, talent and creativity of its sons
and daughters.  Let us take care and be attentive so that our Holy Church
dispersed throughout the world, always be vibrant through the traditions and
contributions of our ancestors, with its God-loving people who are faithful
to their Etchmiadzin-sealed souls.  May the unity and mission of our Holy
Church and the solidarity of our people be fruitful through the miraculous
and nation-gathering graces of strength of the luminous Muron.

Dear pious faithful, on this sacred day of Blessing the Holy Muron, let us
gaze again to see the descent of our Lord with the ranks of angels, the
destruction of the demons of hell with the strike of the golden hammer, and
the flow of life-giving waters from the heavenly altar deluging all of
Armenian life, which is the Illuminator’s vision of our people’s baptism and
rebirth with the Holy Spirit.  Let us see and be reinforced with faith, and
be filled with new hopes, with the awakening of reborn life.

O Armenian people, O people graced and triumphant, who through the life you
have lived from century to century through heroic testimonies, are faithful
to your oath with God established through Holy Etchmiadzin.  Be renewed
daily with your faith, become luminous with the righteous and beneficial
results of church-building and nation-devoted works, so that under God’s
blessing, our Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin remains eternally unshaken, our
homeland forever crowned by Ararat always remains free and independent, and
that Armenians always look to the future with confidence.

It is with these emotions and wishes what we welcome the presence of the
president of the Republic of Armenia, Serzh Sargsian; president of the
Republic of Nagorno Karabagh, Bako Sahakian; and high-ranking state
authorities of the Armenians; wishing them success in the progress of
Armenia and Artsakh, and for the sake of the right of our people in Artsakh
to live free.

With our love in Christ, we extend our fraternal greetings to the incumbents
of our hierarchal sees, His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House
of Cilicia; His Beatitude Torkom Manoogian, Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem;
and His Beatitude Mesrob Mutafian, Armenian Patriarch of Constantinople;
asking for God’s blessing and assistance for their lives.

We are happy on this joyous day for our people, to welcome in Holy
Etchmiadzin our brother in Christ, Ecumenical Patriarch His All Holiness
Bartholomew I, asking for God’s protection for his pious flock.

Our love in Christ we also convey to the graceful representatives of our
sister Churches, the diplomats accredited in the Republic of Armenia, and
representatives of governmental and international organizations, wishing for
them God’s daily guidance in their mission of service.

We convey our pontifical blessings and greet the diocesan primates of our
Church, diocesan and parochial councils, our oath-bound ranks of clergy, you
– our sons and daughters who have come today as pilgrims, and all our pious
people in Armenia, Artsakh and the Diaspora.

Let us together pray that the Almighty grant reconciliation to the world,
keep our homeland in peace under His grace, and keep our people throughout
the world secure and tranquil.

May the newly blessed Muron, as God has directed, be sacred for us and all,
now and always. Amen.

RA PRESIDENT HOPES THAT REAL INTEREST OF AZERBAIJAN IS PEACEFUL RESOLUTION OF KARABAKH CONFLICT

PanARMENIAN.Net
26.09.2008 16:12 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Months ago the UN adopted with only 39 states out
of 146 voting "for". It was a resolution which is related to the one
of the episodes of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, Armenian President
Serzh Sarsgyan said in his address to the UN General Assembly.

"A fundamental and sensitive problem with deep roots, painful and
bloody developments, and immense efforts to give it a peaceful
resolution was decided upon by the majority to support one of the
parties. The outcome was more than predictable – a new wave of
belligerent statements in Azerbaijan, fake laurels of political
speculations, etc.

But wasn’t that voting a lip service to Azerbaijan? I hope that the
real interest of Azerbaijan is not in miscellaneous international
labelings of the different elements of the conflict but rather the
peaceful and comprehensive resolution of the conflict, just like it is
in the interest of the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh and the Republic
of Armenia.

The process mediated by the Co-Chairs of the Minsk Group is to reach
exactly that goal, and I think that understand made almost 4/5 abstain
from voting "yes’ for that resolution. Look at the voting of the US,
France and Russia – the most well-informed third parties, regarding
the NK conflict and its resolution.

Is it absolutely necessary to shed blood to understand that the
frozen conflicts demand expert and conscientious approach and cannot
be solved through the discussions in different fora?

We have done some serious work with the mediation of the OSCE Minsk
Group Co-Chairs. Isn’t it possible to at least abstain from creating
new challenges for the process?" he said.

ARMENIAN PRESIDENT MEETS WITH HIS SERBIAN AND LATVIAN COUNTERPARTS, U.S. STATE SECRETARY AND DELIVERS SPEECH IN FRONT OF AMERICAN ARMENIAN COMMUNITY

ARMENPRESS
September 25, 2008

NEW YORK, SEPTEMBER 25, ARMENPRESS: Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan,
who is New York to participate in the 63d session of the UN General
Assembly, had a number of bilateral meetings on September 24.

During the meeting with his Serbian counterpart Boris Tadic, the
sides underscored the necessity of further development of political,
economic and cultural relations between Armenia and Serbia. The two
presidents pointed out that there exists enough potential and concrete
steps are necessary for its effective usage.

Serzh Sargsyan and Boris Tadic pointed out that in spite of
the geographic distance Armenian and Serbian peoples have many
historic-cultural similarities and warm attitude towards each other.

With the request of the Serbian president, Serzh Sargsyan
presented Armenia’s approaches towards Karabakh conflict regulation,
Armenian-Turkish relations and recent developments in the region. Serzh
Sargsyan and Boris Tadic agreed that peaceful regulation of all the
conflicts is the way to progress and development of the region. The
Serbian president also pointed out the role of the Serbian-Armenian
community in further development of bilateral relations. Boris Tadic
also invited Serzh Sargsyan to pay visit to Belgrade.

On the same day Serzh Sargsyan met with his Latvian counterpart Valdis
Zatlers. The two presidents said they are pleased with the level of
relations between Armenia and Latvia, underscored the necessity of
their further development.

Serzh Sargsyan and Valdis Zatlers also underscored cooperation within
the framework of EU’s New Neighborhood policy. In this respect Latvian
president expressed readiness of his country to support Armenia in
European integration process. The two presidents also referred to a
number of regional issues. Valdis Zatlers invited Armenian president
to visit Riga.

Afterwards Armenian President visited New York’s "Metropolitan" museum.

On the second part of the day Armenian President received U.S. State
Secretary Condoleezza Rice. During the meeting the sides discussed
a wide-range of issues on Armenian-U.S. relations, regional
developments. Serzh Sargsyan thanked the U.S. government for the
support provided to Armenia. In response, the secretary of state
pointed out that she has registered progress in Armenia’s political
reforms which is a good basis for continuing the support to Armenia.

The sides also referred to the process of negotiations over Nagorno
Karabakh conflict regulation. Armenian president reiterated
Armenia’s readiness to solve the conflict peacefully, through
negotiations. Condoleezza Rice underscored the peaceful regulation
of the conflict and pointed out that such solution of the conflict
will promote the establishment of peace and cooperation in the region.

The state secretary also congratulated the Armenian president for his
initiative directed towards the regulation of relations with Turkey
and expressed hope that the visit of the Turkish president to Armenia
will be a beginning of a future cooperation.

Late in the evening of September 24, Armenian president was present at
a reception organized on his honor where he delivered a speech. More
than 700 representatives of the American Armenian community were
present at the event.

NABUCCO PIPELINE CANNOT PASS THROUGH ARMENIA

AZG Armenian Daily
25/09/2008

International, Economy

The NABUCO pipeline, which is intented to transport gaz from Central
Asia and Azerbaijan to Europe, cannot pass through the territory of
Armenia, said representative of the Presidential Cabinet of Azerbaijan,
Ali Hasanov.

He stated that the route of the pipeline is arleady defined. The
pipeline shall go through azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkey, Greece and
Italy.

INTERNATIONAL TALKS ON CAUCASUS TO OPEN IN GENEVA OCT. 15

PanARMENIAN.Net
25.09.2008 13:33 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ International talks on the Caucasus will open in
Geneva on Oct. 15, EU Enlargement Commission spokesperson said.

"The European Commission is hopeful that discussions on implementation
of the Medvedev-Sarkozy plan to alleviate the Georgian-South Ossetian
tensions will be launched," Krisztina Nagy said.

The agenda will also include discussion of stability and security
issues and return of refugees in compliance with international norms,
RIA Novosti reports.

As to the status of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, Russian Foreign
Minister Sergei Lavrov said that "the matter is settled and Moscow
is not going to discuss it."

Russia recognized South Ossetia and Abkhazia as independent states
on August 26.