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YEREVAN, JULY 10, ARMENPRESS. Armenian renowned pianist Tigran Hamasyan was deeply disappointed by the fact that racist statements were addressed to him after his “Luys i Luso” concert program in historical Armenian cities of Ani and Kars. Hamasyan wrote about this in his Facebook page:
“It is pretty sad to be threatened in Kars, the region where all my ancestry comes from. I mean all we did is sing and play Armenian sacred hymns and preyers. I say no to any kind of extremism! Hate isn't the reason why we came to Kars to perform sacred music hymns and prayers...It is to remind people that hate is not the way to be free and at peace with yourself and also remind that people who "use" belief for political reasons are often creating hate between people.
Thank you to all the poeple who came out to support the concerts in Kars and Ani.”
Within the framework of the Luys i Luso program Tigran Hamasyan performs pieces of Armenian music in 100 churches of Turkey, Armenia, Georgia, Lebanon, France, Belgium, Sweden, the Czech Republic, Great Britain, Germany, Luxemburg, the United States and Russia.
The “Luys i Luso” (LightofLight) program is a new interpretation of Armenian religious music from the 5thto the 20thcenturies, which will be released as a CD in September 2015. The program includes works by Mesrop Mashtots, Grigor Nakeratsi, Grigor Pahlavuni, Nerses Shnorhali, Mkhitar Ayrivanetsi and Makar Yekmalyan. The tour kicked off in Yerevan on March 24. Over the year Hamasyan will give concerts in 100 churches of Turkey, Lebanon, France, Belgium, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, Luxembourg, Russia and the United States.The main purpose of the project is to continue what the giants of Armenian sacred and folk music – Komitas Vardapet and Makar Yekmalyan started at the beginning of the century and express gratitude to the fathers of Armenian sacred hymns and chants by taking their music to the ancient churches and monasteries where it was born.
Although trained as a classical and jazz musician, Tigran Hamasyan draws on a wide range of influences, including Armenian folk music, rock, electronica, poetry, and more, In the past decade, with the release of four critically acclaimed albums and an unceasing touring schedule, he has built up a dedicated international following, as well as accolades from the likes of Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, and Brad Mehldau. In the words of the Guardian, Hamasyan ‘is guided by one of [mentor and fan Herbie Hancock’s] most enduring lessons: it's possible to be a multi-stylistic jazz virtuoso and a groove-powered hitmaker simultaneously and hugely enjoy all of it.’ The Times said of his most recent release, 2013’s Shadow Theater, ‘Armenian folk, electronic loops, heavenly voices and indie rock energy vie with Hamasyan’s rippling piano to create a dramatic, deeply melodic music unlike anything else you’ll hear this year.’
Hamasyan was born in Armenia in 1987, before relocating with his family to Los Angeles in 2003. He currently resides in Erevan, Armenia. He began playing piano at the age of three, and started performing in festivals and competitions when he was 11 years old, winning the Montreux Jazz Festival’s piano competition in 2003. He released his debut album, World Passion, at the age of 18 in 2006. That same year he won the prestigious Thelonious Monk International Jazz Piano Competition. Subsequent albums include New Era (2008), Red Hail (2009), and A Fable (2011), for which he was awarded a Victoires de la Musique (the equivalent of a Grammy Award in France). Most recently he won the Vilcek Prize for Creative Promise in Contemporary Music in 2013.
His first album for Universal recorded in Paris on solo piano, "A Fable", was released in 2011. It sold impressively well for an instrumental album with 30,000 units. It received praises throughout including winning a French Grammy award in 2011. Tigran's rising stature in music garners notice globally wherever he has been able to be heard.
