Mother of Light: Armenian Hymns & Chants in Praise of Mary / Bayrakdarian

$14.99
Label
Delos
Release Date
October 14, 2016
Format
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    Featuring ⌄
    • COMPOSER
      AREVELTSI KHORENATSI TBIR
    • PERFORMER
      Bayrakdarian, Aznavoorian, Coro Vox Aeterna, Hamre
    Product Details ⌄
    • RELEASE DATE
      October 14, 2016
    • UPC
      013491352121
    • CATALOG NUMBER
      DE 3521
    • LABEL
      Delos
    • NUMBER OF DISCS
      1
    Works ⌄

    1. Pourvarov Tapor (Censer procession)

      Composer: na Not Applicable

      Performer: Ishkhan Bayrakdarian

    2. Zartir Nazeli (Arise, Graceful One) (arr. S. Kradjian for voice and cello)

      Composer: Baghdasar Tbir

      Performer: Isabel Bayrakdarian, Ani Aznavoorian

    3. Khngi Dzarin (Frankincense Tree) (arr. S. Kradjian for voice and choir)

      Composer: Anonymous

      Ensemble: Coro Vox Aeterna

      Performer: Isabel Bayrakdarian

      Conductor: Anna Hamre

    4. Mayr Yev Gouys (Immaculate Mother) (arr. S. Kradjian for voice, choir and cello)

      Composer: Ara Bartevian

      Ensemble: Coro Vox Aeterna

      Performer: Isabel Bayrakdarian, Ani Aznavoorian

      Conductor: Anna Hamre

    5. Hamemad Kez (Incomparable One) (arr. S. Kradjian for voice and cello)

      Composer: Hampartsoum Limondjian

      Performer: Isabel Bayrakdarian, Ani Aznavoorian

    6. Varaneem (Burdened with Sins) (arr. S. Kradjian for voice and choir)

      Composer: Anonymous

      Ensemble: Coro Vox Aeterna

      Performer: Isabel Bayrakdarian

      Conductor: Anna Hamre

    7. Avedis Kez Mariyam (Good Tidings to You, Mary) (arr. S. Kradjian for voice, choir and percussion)

      Composer: Anonymous

      Ensemble: Coro Vox Aeterna

      Performer: Isabel Bayrakdarian, Ishkhan Bayrakdarian

      Conductor: Anna Hamre

    8. Aghers ar Diramayr (Plea to Mother of God) (arr. S. Kradjian for 3 voices, cello and percussion)

      Composer: Grigor Narekatsi

      Performer: Isabel Bayrakdarian, Siroun Kojakian, Marie-Jean Zaatar, Ani Aznavoorian, Ishkhan Bayrakdarian

    9. Diramayrn (Mother of the Lord) (arr. S. Kradjian for voice and choir)

      Composer: Grigor Narekatsi

      Ensemble: Coro Vox Aeterna

      Performer: Isabel Bayrakdarian

      Conductor: Anna Hamre

    10. Badjar yev Sgizpn (Cause and Origin) (arr. S. Kradjian for voice and percussion)

      Composer: Anonymous

      Performer: Isabel Bayrakdarian, Ishkhan Bayrakdarian

    11. Zandjareli Looso Mayr (Mother of Light) (arr. S. Kradjian for voice, choir and percussion)

      Composer: Movses Khorenatsi

      Ensemble: Coro Vox Aeterna

      Performer: Isabel Bayrakdarian, Ishkhan Bayrakdarian

      Conductor: Anna Hamre

    12. Sharaganner (Sharagans from Holy Week) (arr. S. Kradjian for voice and choir)

      Composer: Movses Khorenatsi

      Ensemble: Coro Vox Aeterna

      Performer: Isabel Bayrakdarian

      Conductor: Anna Hamre

    13. Asdvadzadzin Yergnayin (Divine Mother of God) (arr. S. Kradjian for choir, cello and percussion)

      Composer: Komitas Vardapet

      Ensemble: Coro Vox Aeterna

      Performer: Ani Aznavoorian, Ishkhan Bayrakdarian

      Conductor: Anna Hamre

    14. Zgousoutyount Ko (O Pure God Bearer) (arr. S. Kradjian for 3 voices and percussion)

      Composer: Anonymous

      Performer: Isabel Bayrakdarian, Siroun Kojakian, Marie-Jean Zaatar, Ishkhan Bayrakdarian

    15. Aysor Joghovyal (The Saints Are Gathered) (arr. S. Kradjian for voice and choir)

      Composer: Nerses Shnorhali

      Ensemble: Coro Vox Aeterna

      Performer: Isabel Bayrakdarian

      Conductor: Anna Hamre

    16. Antaram Dzaghig (Eternal Flower) (arr. S. Kradjian for voice, choir, cello and percussion)

      Composer: Vardan Areveltsi

      Ensemble: Coro Vox Aeterna

      Performer: Isabel Bayrakdarian, Ani Aznavoorian, Ishkhan Bayrakdarian

      Conductor: Anna Hamre

    17. Panin Hor (Word of the Father) [18th-19th century] (arr. S. Kradjian for voice and cello)

      Composer: Anonymous

      Performer: Isabel Bayrakdarian, Ani Aznavoorian

    18. Oor es Mayr Im (Where Are You, My Mother?) [18th-19th century] (arr. S. Kradjian for 3 voices, choir and cello)

      Composer: Anonymous

      Ensemble: Coro Vox Aeterna

      Performer: Isabel Bayrakdarian, Siroun Kojakian, Marie-Jean Zaatar, Ani Aznavoorian

      Conductor: Anna Hamre


Soprano Isabel Bayrakdarian is the originator for this project which was her fulfilment of the promise she made a couple of years ago in prayers offered to save her mother’s life when she committed to produce a collection of hymns and chants written in praise of the Virgin Mary. She has brought together 18 of these that amazingly cover a period ranging from a composer who died only 30 years ago back to one who died well over 1500 years ago! Of course it is almost impossible (I say almost because I don’t know) to be sure that anything written that long ago would sound as it is interpreted here but suffice it to say that those about which we can be more certain (13th-17th century) are not so very different in their sound world to those written much nearer our time. They are all connected by a sound that is intoxicatingly ethereal. The occasional use of a cello or percussion accompaniment works very well but it is the unaccompanied voices that are so wonderfully evocative as well as incredibly restful, just the thing to effect a detox for the mind after a stressful day. Isabel Bayrakdarian is the key to this for her voice is an extraordinary instrument that is crystal clear with pinsharp diction and I say this despite the fact that I know no Armenian once I located the place in the text, which is not just given in English but is transliterated into Latin characters, I could follow the words so clearly an Armenian speaker would have no difficulty in doing so. Her accompanying singers, whether the vocal group Coro Vox Aeterna, her two sisters or the other two sopranos, give great support while the cellist, Ani Aznavoorian, also of Armenian origin, has a wonderfully rich tone which so perfectly complements the voices and her brother provides percussive support using instruments that are traditionally used in Armenian church services adds yet another layer to the proceedings when called for.

It is an interesting fact that hymns and chants that in several instances go back so long into what can truly be called ‘ancient history’ are the mainstays of today’s Armenian Orthodox church worship for I certainly know of no such parallels in other strands of Christianity and it shows the strength of undiluted tradition. I wouldn’t try to pick out any of these mesmerising items out for singular praise as they are all equally magnificent in their affecting power.

Anyone who enjoys the experience of the voice as instrument cannot fail to find this issue a fascinating and captivating listen. If you find the other-worldly sounds of Russian or Bulgarian Orthodox Church choirs with their rich basses addictive then the correspondingly high voices of these Armenian voices will weave their magic just as powerfully translating into a heady brew that will keep you spellbound.

– MusicWeb International (Steve Arloff)