Under the melodies of transcending classical music, the Neighborhood Unitarian Universalist Church of Pasadena was full of people of different races to honor the memory of the victims of the Armenian Genocide.
Nearly 300 people were present at the venue where the Enlightenment Chamber Musicians, under the supervision of Marina Manukian, indulged the audience into the music of Mozart, Franz Schubert, Pyotor Ilyich Tchaikovski and Komitas.
“Nothing is forgotten and no one is forgotten,” said Alina Malakian in her opening speech. “It’s time for the world to speak about this horrible crime against humanity. Let us support the recognition of the Armenian Genocide, let us honor the victims who perished during this horrific atrocity with a moment of silence.”
After Malakian’s speech about the Genocide, the splendid performance of famous musicians showered the audience with joy and sadness.
The Armenian melodies of Komitas were a phenomenal experience. Along with other world famous music, Komitas was a true representation of the Armenian soul and all that it entails, including the sadness, resilience and passion. Many of the lost masterpieces of Komitas will unfortunately never be restored, but Komitas will live through Armenian people and Armenian people will live through Komitas, mentioned Malakian.
While the audience listened and enjoyed the music of Komitas one couldn’t help but realize the measure and the depth of his music that outlived a devastating genocide and the very pace of time, reaching a far continent named America.
The organizer of the event, Marina Manukian, was the lead violinist. Her music career started during Soviet Armenia Times where she joined the Radio and Television Violin Ensemble. She continued her education in Mozarteum School of Salzburg, Austria and at the University of Southern California as a graduate student.
Manukian is a winner of 1st prize for National Young Artist Competition of the former USSR Aspen International Music Festival and Herb Alpert Music Award from A&M Records. Since 2006 Manukian has been the music director and concertmaster of the Enlightenment Chamber Music series, performing with a number of experts from around the world. She has also recorded over 600 television and motion picture scores.
The Memorial Concert Honoring the Victims of the Genocide, held April 22, was a part of the series held in the same venue. Since the Armenian Genocide Memorial Day was so close, Manukian dedicated the evening to the memory of the victims.
“Armenian culture has been so much misrepresented and this is a great opportunity to present it to this diverse audience,” said Manukian.
The evening ended with a marvelous performance of Stabat Mater by Giovanni Battista Pergolesi. The music of this exceptional artist illuminated the suffering of Mary over the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ.
The subject of suffering was an appropriate theme for this day and Psy. D., George Viney shared with the audience about the depth and the ways that healing can enter into a human soul.
He said, “Those individuals who have looked into the face of horror and evil can go two ways. I have seen their hearts either close and shut down and become bitter in the face of, understandably so, something of so incomprehensible. I have also seen individuals who in the face of such incomprehensible suffering in reality blossomed in their heart.”
The Stabat Mater was a true representation of mother’s grief, who chose to pour out her suffering and let her heart flourish while finding courage in herself to face evil.
Viney also mentioned about the importance of having the capability of pouring out our grief that is full of love. To respond in this matter, as Jesus did on the cross, facing his destiny is to continue heal in the face of all the evil that happens all the time.
“I feel compelled to share this with you in honor of all those who died in the Armenian Genocide and to all of us that are trying to find our way to overflow the pain, that could perhaps heal our wounds,” said Viney.
The evening successfully ended with a round of applause and cheers, but every member of the audience took with them the message of the suffering and the healing nation.
The next performance will be held on June 10; admission is free. For more information contact[email protected].
http://yerevanmagazine.com/enlightenment-chamber-musicians-remembers-genocide/
Nearly 300 people were present at the venue where the Enlightenment Chamber Musicians, under the supervision of Marina Manukian, indulged the audience into the music of Mozart, Franz Schubert, Pyotor Ilyich Tchaikovski and Komitas.
“Nothing is forgotten and no one is forgotten,” said Alina Malakian in her opening speech. “It’s time for the world to speak about this horrible crime against humanity. Let us support the recognition of the Armenian Genocide, let us honor the victims who perished during this horrific atrocity with a moment of silence.”
After Malakian’s speech about the Genocide, the splendid performance of famous musicians showered the audience with joy and sadness.
The Armenian melodies of Komitas were a phenomenal experience. Along with other world famous music, Komitas was a true representation of the Armenian soul and all that it entails, including the sadness, resilience and passion. Many of the lost masterpieces of Komitas will unfortunately never be restored, but Komitas will live through Armenian people and Armenian people will live through Komitas, mentioned Malakian.
While the audience listened and enjoyed the music of Komitas one couldn’t help but realize the measure and the depth of his music that outlived a devastating genocide and the very pace of time, reaching a far continent named America.
The organizer of the event, Marina Manukian, was the lead violinist. Her music career started during Soviet Armenia Times where she joined the Radio and Television Violin Ensemble. She continued her education in Mozarteum School of Salzburg, Austria and at the University of Southern California as a graduate student.
Manukian is a winner of 1st prize for National Young Artist Competition of the former USSR Aspen International Music Festival and Herb Alpert Music Award from A&M Records. Since 2006 Manukian has been the music director and concertmaster of the Enlightenment Chamber Music series, performing with a number of experts from around the world. She has also recorded over 600 television and motion picture scores.
The Memorial Concert Honoring the Victims of the Genocide, held April 22, was a part of the series held in the same venue. Since the Armenian Genocide Memorial Day was so close, Manukian dedicated the evening to the memory of the victims.
“Armenian culture has been so much misrepresented and this is a great opportunity to present it to this diverse audience,” said Manukian.
The evening ended with a marvelous performance of Stabat Mater by Giovanni Battista Pergolesi. The music of this exceptional artist illuminated the suffering of Mary over the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ.
The subject of suffering was an appropriate theme for this day and Psy. D., George Viney shared with the audience about the depth and the ways that healing can enter into a human soul.
He said, “Those individuals who have looked into the face of horror and evil can go two ways. I have seen their hearts either close and shut down and become bitter in the face of, understandably so, something of so incomprehensible. I have also seen individuals who in the face of such incomprehensible suffering in reality blossomed in their heart.”
The Stabat Mater was a true representation of mother’s grief, who chose to pour out her suffering and let her heart flourish while finding courage in herself to face evil.
Viney also mentioned about the importance of having the capability of pouring out our grief that is full of love. To respond in this matter, as Jesus did on the cross, facing his destiny is to continue heal in the face of all the evil that happens all the time.
“I feel compelled to share this with you in honor of all those who died in the Armenian Genocide and to all of us that are trying to find our way to overflow the pain, that could perhaps heal our wounds,” said Viney.
The evening successfully ended with a round of applause and cheers, but every member of the audience took with them the message of the suffering and the healing nation.
The next performance will be held on June 10; admission is free. For more information contact[email protected].
http://yerevanmagazine.com/enlightenment-chamber-musicians-remembers-genocide/