Gomidas Songs

Isabel Bayrakdarian (Artist, Performer), Karen Kocharyan (Performer), Vyacheslav Manucharyan (Performer), Gomidas Vartabed (Composer), Eduard Topchjan (Conductor), Karen Khachaturian (Performer), Armenian State Chamber Orchestra (Orchestra), Serouj Kradjian (Performer), Gevorg Gharabekyan (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Isabel Bayrakdarian, Karen Kocharyan, Vyacheslav Manucharyan, Karen Khachaturian, Serouj Kradjian, et al.
• Orchestra: Armenian State Chamber Orchestra
• Conductor: Eduard Topchjan
• Composer: Gomidas Vartabed
• Audio CD (September 23, 2008)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Nonesuch
• ASIN: B001C0NMYI
• Also Available in: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #9,310 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Although the pieces performed here by the internationally acclaimed, Canadian-based soprano Isabel Bayrakdarian are sung entirely in Armenian, these songs cast a powerful spell long before their literal meaning has been gleaned. Bayrakdarian - born in Lebanon, the daughter of Armenian parents - explores the extraordinary legacy of Gomidas Vardabet, a well-travelled, turn-of-the-nineteenth-century composer who made it his life's work to seek out, transcribe and re-interpret the ancient liturgy, songs, lullabies, hymns and folk dances of his homeland. His work would have been remarkable under any circumstances, but it has become all the more significant in light of the Armenian genocide of 1915, which left him emotionally devastated and put an end to his life as a composer. Bayrakdarian performed Gomidas's music as part of the score to Canadian filmmaker Atom Egoyan's 2002 Ararat, a multi-layered drama about contemporary filmmakers attempting to dramatize and come to terms with the events of 1915. However, mainstream moviegoers will more readily recognize her voice from The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers. Composer Howard Shore invited Bayrakdarian to sing on the Grammy Award-winning soundtrack after hearing one of her recordings. She's even more renowned among opera fans the world over, especially for her performances, on stage and on record, as Cleopatra in Handel's Giulio Cesare and in such Mozart works as Don Giovanni and The Magic Flute. Her voice, says Time, 'Combines lyricism with remarkable dramatic instincts.' Bayrakdarian made her Metropolitan Opera debut in William Bolcom's A View from the Bridge. Gomidas Songs contains love songs, devotional songs, evocations of nature, children's songs, and lamentations, and comic songs. It was recorded at the Aram Khachaturian Philharmonic Hall in Yerevan, Armenia with the Chamber Players of the Armenian Philharmonic Orchestra. All the songs were arranged and orchestrated by scholar and pianist Serouj Kradjian, her concert partner and husband. Egoyan contributes eloquent liner notes to the album package, illustrating the importance of Bayrakdarian's undertaking to music lovers everywhere: 'The strength of any culture resides in its ability to preserve, cherish, reinvent and grow. This was the gift that Gomidas gave to his people, and this is the gift which Isabel has revealed and brought to the world.'

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Utterly spellbinding!, October 22, 2008

By 

Victoria Kirsch "lover of superb vocal artistry" (Los Angeles, California) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Gomidas Songs (Audio CD)

This recording is a delight from start to finish--Isabel Bayrakdarian's heart and soul are linked to every moment of this music, and the result is a haunting collection of songs in a variety of moods. The arrangements and piano solos by Isabel's husband Serouj Kradjian are masterful. I recently attended a live concert in which these artists performed about half of the material on the cd--it was a magical evening!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars EXCELLENT, December 5, 2008

By 

MC "VAN FAN" (P.T. WA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Gomidas Songs (Audio CD)

This is a wonderful CD! If you love CDs that are put together with tremendous heart and imagination (as well as a touch of the exotic) - don't miss this one! Guaranteed to be considered for a Grammy Award.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars gomidas songs, January 11, 2009

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Macrine Ionescu "Macrina Gregory" (Scarsdale,New York) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Gomidas Songs (Audio CD)

Haunting melodies sung with purity,reverence and love. The clarity and beauty of Isabel's voice is without compare. A treat for the ear and the soul.