GYUMRI, AUGUST 3, ARMENPRESS. World famous musician, composer, band leader and jazz pianist Gari Kyosayan will give a concert in Gyumri. The concert is planned on October 30, succeeding the one in Yerevan. This is not the only surprise. Gari Kyosayan’s wife- Alla Sahakyan will participate in the concert. Gari Kyosayan will conduct master classes for the students of Gyumri branch of Komitas State Conservatory of Yerevan in September.

Armenpress had an interview with Gari Kyosayan and Alla Sahakyan on the upcoming concert in Gyumri.

Mr. Kyosayan, what program have you prepared for Gyumri?

These are all works by Gari Kyosayan. There will be another surprise for Gyumri: world famous jazz star Louis Van Taylor, who is considered the best saxophonists in USA, will perform in Gyumri. I recorded with him a CD in USA in 1998, which was named the best CD of the year.

It is hard to say why, but Armenian spirit and motives are felt in your music, even in jazz. Are you intentionally trying to introduce Armenian elements into your music?

That’s the way it is. I don’t think, and then write. That’s the call and the demand of my soul. I write what I heard in my dream. Once an American told me: “I understood by your music that you are a nation with high intellect, that you can combine jazz and classical music putting the Armenian spirit in it.”

Which is the first work by Gari Kyosayan? When was it written? Who were the first to listen to it?

I was 13 years old when I wrote “Armenia”. I studied at school named after Tchaykovsky and my first audiences were my schoolmates.

In what stage of creative work do you find yourself in now and which of your works are special to you?

Now I am recording my new CD which will probably be ready this year. I have named it “Milky Way”. All of my works are dear to me, but I would highlight the music of the performance “The Forty Days of Musa Dagh”. I have been dreaming of such music all my life. I had an offer from Armen Elbakyan and we began working together.

Alla, is it easy to perform Gari’s music?

It’s a huge responsibility for me.  When I am performing Gari’s works, I feel a special responsibility. I feel that the most important thing for Gari during the concert is my good performance, and it’s natural. That is the reason that I treat his works in a different manner. He has amazing music, too much melodic, touching and dear, you can feel Armenian melodies even in English songs. When we work together we forget that we are a husband and a wife and I obediently listen to his every remark, knowing that Gari wants me to perform excellently.

Armenuhi Mkhoyan