‘Lousnakn Anoush’ – Komitas Vardapet
‘Lousnakn Anoush’ (Լուսնակն Անուշ) (‘Sweet is the Moon’) is pastoral song dedicated to the rising of the moon and the author’s longing to walk up the mountains. It is originally a seven stanza song, two of which are performed in the recording below. Arranged for a polyphonic choir by Komitas, this is likely one of … Continue reading ‘Lousnakn Anoush’ – Komitas Vardapet
‘Havoun, Havoun’ – St. Grigor Narekatsi
‘Havoun, Havoun’ (Հավուն, Հավուն) (aka ‘To the Awakened Fowl’) is an ode composed in the 11th century by St. Grigor Narekatsi, an Armenian monk, lyrical poet and theologian residing in the region of Lake Van. It describes the Resurrection of Christ through allusions to various Biblical scenes. The translation to its words (obtained from a … Continue reading ‘Havoun, Havoun’ – St. Grigor Narekatsi
‘New Flower’ – St. Nerses Shnorhali
This sacred song, composed in the 12th century by St. Nerses Shnorhali, is dedicated to the good news of the resurrection of Christ. The translation of the words are as follows: A new flower that shown bright, today from the new grave. Revealed light of resurrection, Good News. In the darkness of the shadow of … Continue reading ‘New Flower’ – St. Nerses Shnorhali
‘The Sky Has Greyed’ – Komitas
‘The Sky Has Greyed’ (aka ‘Yerkinqn Ampel e’ (Երկինքն Ամպել է)) is a folk song originally arranged by Komitas as a vocal piece. It is a love song describing different scenes of the singer seeing his beloved in the cloudy weather. In the arrangement below, I have maintained the original melody and added an accompanying … Continue reading ‘The Sky Has Greyed’ – Komitas
‘Gorani’ – Medieval Armenian Song
‘Gorani’ is a medieval Armenian love song, centered in the village of Mush. The instrumentation and harmony added to the recording are atypical of the time period, as most instrumentation was limited to minimal percussion and harmonies were generally nonexistent. The rhythm of this song is 5/4, which is common in the Armenian, as well … Continue reading ‘Gorani’ – Medieval Armenian Song
‘Mount Alagyaz’ – Komitas
‘Mount Alagyaz’ is a medley of two folk songs: ‘Alagyaz’ (name of mountain) and ‘Khniki Tsar’ (incense tree). It is a song describing the scenery in the daily village life with the singer’s mother, brother, the mount Alagyaz and the incense tree which grows in front of the singer’s home. Traditionally performed with a choir, … Continue reading ‘Mount Alagyaz’ – Komitas
‘Let there be Breeze’ – Komitas
‘Let there be Breeze’ is the title to the original songs Hov Lini & Saren Elav (Հով Լինի & Սարեն Ելավ). It is a combination of two songs describing the singer’s wish for there to be breeze in the mountains and for the loved ones to have prosperity. This is a folk song cultivated by … Continue reading ‘Let there be Breeze’ – Komitas
