MUSIC

As a passionate listener of her music, I had the honour of having a sincere conversation with the esteemed Armenian musician and composer Lilit Pipoyan for Agos readers. While Armenian music triggers a memory that has become the language of pain and conscience, countless works by Armenian artists have inspired many cultures and are in danger of being translated into other languages and lost. We had a conversation for more than two hours with Lilit Pipoyan over the Zoom, who interpreted Armenian songs from centuries ago and brought them to the present day, breathing heart into her voice.

Collectif Medz Bazar was going to perform in the concert for commemorating Armenian Genocide in Arnouville city near Paris. However, they decided not to perform, after the organization requested not to perform their Turkish songs. The band reacted against this situation with a letter.

Today, musical instrument making is not a very popular occupation, but the number of people interested in this craft is increasing. Two weeks ago, we published an interview with Istanbul-born Vahank Nogigosian, one of the rare Stradivarius violin repairers in Turkey. This week, we introduce Iranian santur-maker Amir Homayunfard, who has been living in Turkey for 7 years.

A selection of the artworks inspired by Komitas’ works and life on the occasion of his 147th birthday…

Pianist Tigran Hamasyan’s new album ‘Atmosphères’ with Norwegian musicians is released by ECM Records.

Formed in 2015, Istanbul-based band “Danuk” aims to take Kurdish culture to the masses with music. Band members Ferhad Feyssal and Fayssal Macit told about their musical journey.

After Onnik Dinkjian’s concert with his son Ara Dinkjian on October 24, Silva Özyerli told the journey that she went on with the songs of Onnik Dinkjian, who is also from Diyarbakir like her.

Lebanese Armenian musician Eileen Khatchadourian has been recently in Turkey on April 24, for the Memorial Concert. This time she came for the Hrant Dink Award Ceremony to İstanbul. At this special evening she sang songs from her latest album ‘Titernig’ (Butterfly). We came together with her and talked about her identity shaped in various lands, her authentic interpretation of traditional Armenian songs and her feelings arising while being in Turkey.

Tigran Hamasyan begun his tour with the Yerevan State Chamber Choir led by conductor Harutyun Topikyan titled ‘Luys i Luso (Light of Light)’, blending Armenian Churh Music with jazz, in June. Within the scope of this tour, Hamasyan has given concerts at Ani and Akhtamar, and will come to Istanbul after giving concerts in Diyarbakır, Kayseri and Vakıflı.

Known as the greatest living Armenian composer, Tigran Mansurian was in Istanbul for a special occasion. Although I was initially overwhelmed by his presence, thanks to his kindness and sincerity, our interview soon turned into a sweet conversation.