YEREVAN, JUNE 25, ARMENPRESS. Tolga Adıgüzel -  head of the Kars branch of the “Ülkü ocaklar” (Hearths of Ideal) radical group of the Grey Wolves - has voiced threats towards Armenians of Kars after renowned jazz pianist Tigran Hamasyan performed Armenian chants and verses in the ruins of the historical capital of Armenia – Ani. As Armenpress informs, the aforementioned was reported by “CNN Turk.”  Tigran Hamasyan’s and Yerevan State Chamber Choir’s concert program “Luys i Luso” (Light of Light) kicked off in Turkey on June 21. Adıgüzel threatened Armenians by saying “What should we do now? Should we start a hunt for Armenians in the streets of Kars?”

He accused Armenians of the ‘events of 1915’ and Khojalu. He also accused all Turkish journalists and officials, who ‘support Armenians launching activity in Turkey.” He urged Armenians not to test the patience of Turks. He later added, “Turks, for example, cannot arrive in Armenia and freely organize an event at a sacred site for Armenians.” He threatened to take necessary measures if such steps repeat.

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” (Light of Light) program is a new interpretation of Armenian religious music from the 5th to the 20th centuries, 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.