A Christmas Concert At St. Vartan Cathedral

By Florence Avakian

Christmas is the season of magic, giving, and the joy of children, and St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral in New York was bubbling with all three qualities on Saturday afternoon, December 6. More than 500 people crowded the sanctuary for an uplifting program of seasonal music. Warmly welcoming the large crowd, Diocesan Vicar General the Very Rev. Fr. Simeon Odabashian expressed his happiness that the cathedral was filled with so many children, parents, and grandparents. He thanked the cathedral dean, the Very Rev. Fr. Mamigon Kiledjian, for organizing the event.

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PRESS OFFICE

Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)

630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016

Contact: Chris Zakian

Tel: (212) 686-0710; Fax: (212) 779-3558

E-mail: publicrelations@armeniandiocese.org

Website: www.armenianchurch-ed.net

December 16, 2014

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A CHRISTMAS CONCERT AT ST. VARTAN CATHEDRAL

By Florence Avakian

Christmas is the season of magic, giving, and the joy of children, and St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral in New York was bubbling with all three qualities on Saturday afternoon, December 6. More than 500 people crowded the sanctuary for an uplifting program of seasonal music.

Warmly welcoming the large crowd, Diocesan Vicar General the Very Rev. Fr. Simeon Odabashian expressed his happiness that the cathedral was filled with so many children, parents, and grandparents. He thanked the cathedral dean, the Very Rev. Fr. Mamigon Kiledjian, for organizing the event.

"Today, we are celebrating young people and young talent," Fr. Simeon said.

He expressed appreciation to Continental Advisory Services LLC, Diocesan Administrator Jacob H. Yahiahyan, and Tigran and Artyom Sahakyan, whose generosity made the celebration possible. A celebrity in the crowd was the renowned diva of the Metropolitan Opera, Lucine Amara.

To enthusiastic applause, the 12 young singers of the Zangakner performing arts ensemble walked briskly onto the stage with their artistic director and conductor Hasmik Konjoyan. Even after five hours of early morning travel from Boston, the young singers—ranging in age from 9 to 13, and dressed in matching white and black outfits—were bright-eyed and filled with youthful energy.

Their nostalgic program of Armenian songs from beloved Armenian composers was performed with mature understanding and a professional demeanor. During the solos, the older members sang with bell-like voices.

Among the well-known numbers presented were Qahanyan's lyrical Im Anoush Mayrig which reduced many in the audience to tears; Gomidas Vartabed's lilting Kagavik; and Altounyan's Hoy Nazan Im Yareh and Ghapama, both sung with gusto.

To everyone's delight, out marched a group of four-year-old children, 11 girls and two boys, dressed in matching dresses and suits, holding hands, and lining up in front of their older peers. With amazing coordination, they swayed, sang, and clapped to their own special musical numbers.

The Zangakner ensemble was formed four years ago by Hasmik Konjoyan "with the mission of bringing the world of music to Armenian children from various schools in the Greater Boston area." They have performed at the Children's Planet, and at the 2014 Musical Odyssey holiday musicals. Ms. Konjoyan, originally from Armenia, has had concert performances in Europe, Canada, and the U.S., and previously was the artistic director and conductor of the award-winning Kantegh children's choir, and founder and conductor of the Luys Zvart children's choir. She has several recordings to her credit.

A wonder to behold

Following a short intermission, a 10-year-old "wonder to behold" took the stage. Violinist Simon Hagopian-Rogers is small in size, but enormous in talent. Accompanying him on piano was his mentor, the master pianist, ethnomusicologist, and renowned television and radio performer Şahan Arzruni.

Tackling a diverse classical program, the pair began their performance with the two-movement Sonata for violin and piano by Pietro Locatelli, with its impressive phrasing and rhythms. It was followed by the much loved rhapsodic and lyrical Chant-Poeme by Khachaturian, played with great feeling and understanding.

Bizet's Fantasia on Carmen took in all forms of musical magic. The two musicians played with formidable technique, fiery expression, and concluded the many and different segments of the familiar music with a virtuosic and exciting finale. Their beautifully coordinated performance melded together in sheer artistry, and brought on a thunderous standing ovation.

Simon Hagopian-Rogers, born in New York City, is the grandson of acclaimed oudist Richard Hagopian, who is teaching Armenian music to the 10-year-old prodigy. He attends the Kaufman Center Special Music School on a full scholarship. Playing the violin since age four, he won the second prize at the International Violin Competition in Cremona, Italy, at age eight. He has performed for famed violinists Joshua Bell and Uto Ughi, and attended master classes with Maxim Vengerov. He also studies piano and composition in Juilliard’s pre-college program.

Şahan Arzruni has played in concerts around the world as a recitalist, chamber music partner, and orchestral soloist. His many accomplishments include writing, lecturing and producing. As a Steinway artist, he has recorded more than 20 albums, with a special focus on repertoire by the masters and Armenian composers specifically for younger pianists. Recently, he recorded the complete works of Gomidas. He has given command performances at the White House, as well as the British, Swedish, Danish and Icelandic courts.

The extraordinary concert ended with a medley of joyful Greek, Russian, English, and Armenian Christmas songs, sung in perfect harmony by the Zangakner group. It ushered in the dashing entrance of Santa Claus—to the delight of all the youngsters.

Expressing appreciation to all the performers, St. Vartan Cathedral dean Fr. Mamigon Kiledjian announced that Zankagner would return to the church for the Easter celebration on April 5, "so that we can be uplifted again."

After the inspiring concert, the lighting of the large Christmas tree on the cathedral plaza went forward despite incessant rain. The tree was purchased and donated by Tigran and Artyom Sahakyan, two dedicated brothers who also are officials of the Times Square commemorations.

Fr. Kiledjian led the cheerful countdown, as the lighting brought on a joyful outburst, after which the crowd warmed up at a reception in the church hall replete with Armenian delicacies and Christmas fun.

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Photos attached.

Photo 1: Singers of the Zangakner performing arts ensemble at St. Vartan Cathedral.

Photo 2: Violinist Simon Hagopian-Rogers and pianist Şahan Arzruni.

Photo 3: Children at the tree-lighting ceremony on the cathedral plaza.