music corner

Now a celebrated symphony orchestra at home and overseas, the Armenian State Symphony Orchestra emerged from a group of devout enthusiasts of classical music with the shared vision of championing spiritual excellence through music and upholding the musical traditions of their native Armenia.

Artistic Director and Principal Conductor Sergey Smbatyan.

Jazzical Komitas: Passion of Fire is a groundbreaking album that reinterprets the music of Armenian composer Komitas Vardapet in Joel Martin's unique Jazzical® style. Featuring acclaimed artists like mezzo-soprano Solange Merdinian and 13-year-old dhol percussionist Hamlet Exoyan, this album celebrates Armenian heritage through a vibrant fusion of jazz and traditional folk elements.

Tigrane Kazazian, a French-Armenian composer, oud player, and singer, was born in 1987 at the Giza Pyramids in Egypt. Now based in Yerevan, Armenia, he has performed at prestigious venues like the Cairo Opera and New Morning in Paris. Co-founder of the “Nour Project,” Tigrane's albums, including “Cairo Nights” and “Still Love,” blend Arabic music, jazz, and Western influences, inviting listeners on a transformative musical journey with his enchanting melodies and improvisational style.

The Naghash Ensemble blends medieval Armenian spiritual texts with new music, evoking the timeless themes of exile and longing. Led by composer John Hodian, the ensemble brings together Armenia’s finest musicians, merging folk, classical, and contemporary sounds. Their performances are a haunting and transcendent journey through history and soul.

The Alpange is more than the sum of its parts, it is the definitive musical instrument of a new era. It is a way to enrich our lives, both as players and listeners, creators and curators, and all through memorable musical experiences that can be shared infinitely.

Their mission is to preserve and share Armenia’s rich musical heritage with future generations. They aim to cultivate musical appreciation through the revival of Komitas’s legacy, making Armenian folk melodies known globally and embedding Armenian musical modes in the cultural memory of young generations. Through these efforts, they ensure the continuity and promotion of Armenia’s invaluable musical tradition.