Manafonistas

It was a longer journey but finally we managed that Levon Eskenian’s Gurdjieff Folk Instrument Ensemble will arrive at the HOLLAND FESTIVAL in Amsterdam.
 
 
Next Sunday, june 7, the ensemble will play two concerts with music of Gurdjieff and also Soghomon Soghomonian in Amsterdam. Part of the afternoon concert is a recital by pianist Lusine Grigoryan She will play pieces by Komitas she recently recorded in Lugano for ECM.
 
 
There are two PREVIEW radio programs on CONCERTZENDER. Both can be listened ON DEMAND by just two clicks. You’ll find a playlist under the RADIO ON DEMAND link:
 
program GURDJIEFF
 
program KOMITAS
 
The Gurdjieff pieces in the radio program will slowly shift from piano and cello versions to the reconstructed folk (instrument’s) version. The Komitas program presents renditions by various musicians including great Armenian composer Tigran Mansurian. Komitas was a great composer deserving more attention.
 
 
Only text, no picture here … and wonderful music … if you want!

EYE at Y (Amsterdam)

Pianist Keiko Shichijo discussing versions of pieces by Komitas with Levon Eskenian (of Gurdjieff Folk Instruments Ensemble from Yerevan)
 
 
 

 
 
 
And here Levon Eskenian is playing the harmonium of the master
 
 
 

 
 
 
Soghomon Soghomonian known as Vardapet Komitas (1869-1935)
 
Georges Gjurdieff (1866?-1949)
 
The Gurdjieff Folk Instruments Ensemble – Music Of Georges I. Gurdjieff. ECM 2236
 
The Japanese pianist Keiko Shichijo interprets music of Komitas and Tigran Mansurian in our recent pianolab.Amsterdam-series with music of Paul Motian.
 
Levon Eskenian has reconstructed the folkmusic traditions and the instruments used from Gurdjieff’s music and de Hartmann’s transcriptions and harmonizations for piano. In the west mostly de Hartmann’s versions are known, a.o. in the interpretation of Keith Jarrett. On the basis of his insights in and knowledge of the folk-traditions Eskenian figures out how the music of Komitas which is to a great extent based on those traditions have to be aptly interpreted. Both, Gurdjieff and Komitas had an important role in Eastern and Western musical exchange. Komitas, a great composer was of major importance for the reconstructian and development of Armenian music. There is a growing interest in his music in West. More of his work will be performed and recorded in a profound way in the near future.