I first heard about Komitas on the radio years ago; the songs were alternating with the story of his life. I liked the songs, and his tragedy (which is the tragedy of the Armenian people) impressed me, to the point that I recall perfectly where I was passing with the car while listening to it.
I have often thought about sharing one of his songs, but it was complicated. There are few recordings, and it is very difficult to find the texts translated. Not to mention finding an application to transliterate the Armenian alphabet into our own. But months ago, a new album was released that includes a few songs and a few pieces for piano, and makes everything easier. I may have even found a transliterator, but I still need to try it.
I started writing an article that I didn't have the time to finish, and I thought I would do the same thing I had done on previous occasions. I would write a brief introduction this week, share a song as a tasting, and, if everything goes well, finish the initial article for the next week in two weeks.
Komitas, who took this name when he was ordained priest (when he was born, in 1869, his name was Soghomon Soghomonian), is best known for his work of recovering the traditional Armenian musical heritage. Additionally, he laid the foundations of Armenian musicology and was a composer himself. In his works, he merged his in-depth knowledge of traditional music and sacred music, which he had studied at the seminary, with the European tradition; he had completed his training studying three years in Berlin and subsequently made several stays in Europe.
About his songs he said with modesty, that they were only simple harmonizations of the songs he collected. However, as they start to sound, we realize that the accompaniments go beyond a simple harmonization to support the singing; he used to rework the songs, like many European composers did. I suggest we listen to the song Qeler Tsoler [Walking, shining], performed by Ruzan Mantashyan and Kirill Gerstein. It was one of those love songs that caused him many problems with the ecclesiastical authorities, because it was not easily accepted that a priest would write music about earthly love.
I hope that you enjoy the tasting and that you will return next week to continue reading about Komitas.
Beneath the sun
my beloved is walking, shining,
feeling at home in the mountains,
all alone.
Fair-haired boy,
shining sun.
Come out of the sun
and back to me, my boy.
Walking, shining, that's my beloved,
the sweet light of my eye.
Walking, shining, that's my beloved.
It's breezy, come and get some sleep.
It's turning chilly, come and get some sleep.
Come, boy.
You have reaped the harvest
and are exhausted,
fair-haired boy!
(translation by Myrios Classics)
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