Date: Monday, 18 of July, 2016

Venue: Delphi

Hour: 21:00

Free admission

 

 

KOMITAS: THE FOOTPRINTS OF HIS WALKS IN THE MUSIC OF ARMENIA

— My walk within the piano music of Armenia

Lecture^* - Recital by Christine Tokatlian

 

An event curated by the Milena principle / Made of Walking

 

* The lecture will be delivered in Greek or in English, depending on the audience.

 

The purpose of this lecture - recital is to present the Armenian culture seen within solo piano music written throughout the 20^th century. It is during this period that Armenian music is for the first time regarded as an “expression of an international culture heading on two directions”: deriving inspiration from Armenian traditional music or using avant-garde techniques. Through his endless walks in the villages and nature of Armenia and through his creative life, Komitas laid a foundation to the formation of the Armenian national music school, which united centuries of old folk musical experience and professional music studies thus, making him the most influential figure in the history of Armenian music. Thus, Komitas ‘walks’ in the music of his contemporaries, leaving his footprints as a resource and as an inspiration for all.

 

 

PROGRAM

 

KOMITAS: SIX DANCES

Erangi, Unabi, Marali, Shoushiki, Et-Araj, Shoror

 

ARUTIOUNIAN: PRELUDE and TOCCATA

 

BAGHDASSARIAN: FROM THE 24 PRELUDES

Prelude in B minor

Prelude in C sharp minor

Prelude in D minor

 

ARISTAKESSIAN: FANTASTIC VARIATIONS

 

ARUTIOUNIAN: THREE MUSICAL IMAGES

Ι. Wind Blowing Over the Mountains

ΙΙ. Ararat Plateau

ΙΙΙ. Sasountsi Soldiers’ Dance

 

KHATCHATURIAN: TOCCATA

 

 

This is how I see Armenian piano music, through the simplicity of Komitas, the romanticism and lyricism of Baghdassarian, the energy and the rhythmic drive of A. Arutiounian, the thematic versatility of E. Arutiounian, the harmonic and rhythmic variety of Aristakessian and the patriotism and drama of Khatchaturian. It is I, the reflection of my soul, the different aspects of myself, the mirroring of my feelings; my walk into the beauty and uniqueness of the music of my homeland. 

 

In the beginning of the twentieth century the Armenian composer Komitas collected and transcribed the traditional music he heard in the villages, organizing for the first time an official Armenian music repertoire. Through his music the true Armenian spirit is reflected in the work of his contemporaries. Composing in the idiom of a folk instrument, expanding the melody in a monodic character, approaching the music in an ecclesiastical notion are all aspects of the Armenian-ness in music which are clearly evidenced in the work of composers during the socialist-realist era and beyond. Within a cultural context, Komitas was inspired by the nature of Armenia and the traditional practices and rituals through the use of symbolism which added to the growth of a strong sense of national identity.

 

Freedom of expression led people to appreciate the values and understand the meaning of the ideals of the past. The importance of the Armenian language and the way it is reflected in poetry and literature, the profound meaning of the Christian faith, the harmonic and melodic structure of the ancient Armenian chant, the symbolism of the traditional music, the beauty of the Armenian nature and the simplicity of peasant life were all re-evaluated and used anew. Even though numerous composers have developed a contemporary musical language, it is Komitas that has kept alive the solid Armenian musical foundations of the past, as it is not just the music of the country but it is the reflection of the ‘Armenian soul’. No matter how different the approaches of the artists are, there is in most cases a common ground; the incorporation of Armenian musical characteristics in their work. “Komitas created an Armenia; a real concrete country. He created a unique level of aesthetic”. (Mansuryan)

 

I hope that the music you hear is an opportunity for you to realize how the genius of these national composers capture the pulse of the Armenian people. And all becomes more valuable if we consider that music which is deeply national is at the same time fundamentally authentic and profoundly human.

Christine Tokatlian

 

 

Christine Tokatlian

Christine Tokatlian is a concert pianist praised for her academic distinctions and passionate performance. In 2008 she was awarded the honorary "Eleni Myconiou" prize for artistic excellence by the Athens Academy. At the age of six Christine was already taking piano lessons at the National Conservatory of Greece which led to a Soloist’s diploma with a grade of Excellence by unanimous vote and First Prize, under the supervision of Manolis Kokalis. Studying under renowned pianists including Dimitris Toufexis, Yu Chun Yee and Bernard Roberts, between 1996 and 1999, Christine receives her Bachelor of Arts in Music from Deree College, and post-graduate diplomas in Advanced Piano Performance from the Royal College of Music in London (PGDip, PGAdvDip).

 

Performing around Greece, the United Kingdom, Italy, Lebanon, Germany and Armenia alongside distinguished artists including the Komitas Quartet, Christine’s recitals include works by classical, romantic and contemporary composers, as well as new-experimental music all performed with her distinct temperament, undeniably fueled by her Armenian descent. And with the same passionate spirit she premiered Khatchaturian’s Piano Concerto with the Thessaloniki State Orchestra in the Thessaloniki Concert Hall in 2010.

 

Christine also communicates her talent through teaching as she is currently a professor of music at DEREE - The American College of Greece and a piano professor at the Meandrio Conservatory.

 

As an MPhil/PhD candidate in performance at Goldsmiths – University of London she has extended her research in contemporary Armenian piano music presenting her academic work in conferences in Istanbul and London.

 

"Armenian Piano Images", Christine’s first personal recording with works of contemporary Armenian composers, some of which are world premieres, serves as a window for her audience to see into her dream of magical musical performance.

 

 

     — Christine Tokatlian’s bright future is brilliantly marked by her virtues and her artistic vocation. Her radiant interpretation is defined by her impassionate expression, her strict commitment and respect to the score, her thorough care for the detail in performance and her complete dedication and love for the art of music. These qualities are evident due to her natural gift, on the one hand, and to her youthful musical momentum, on the other. We are still expecting more to hear from her either within her live performances or through her recordings. Listening to the ‘Armenian Piano Images’ her audience can become aware of her tremendous advancement through her bursting technique and most of all through her academic maturity.

Hagop Gelalian, November 2011

 

 

Further information about the composer Komitas here