Geghard Choir
Klassik der Welt / Focus on the Caucasus
The Geghard Monastery in the Azat Valley in Armenia was carved out of the adjacent mountain in around 400 AD. There are a number of caves in the monastery, and the complex is regarded as one of the most important architectural achievements of the Armenian Apostolic Church. It is listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. The monastery’s vocal ensemble is made up of eight women who are dedicated to the music of the Armenian liturgy. Through their work, they safeguard not only one of the world’s oldest choir music traditions, but also one of the most magnificent.
The tradition of sacred Armenian music reaches back to the early fifth century and the theologian Mesrop Mashtots. Other exceptional masters followed in his footsteps, including the philosopher, poet, musician and pedagogue Nerses Shnorhali, and later Komitas, who brought the ancient music into the twentieth century.
The Geghard Monastery Vocal Ensemble was founded by Anahit Papayan in 2001 and is now under the artistic direction of Mher Navoyan, a medieval specialist at the Conservatory of Yerevan. The ensemble is dedicated to the liturgical tradition outlined above, but the seven singers also perform songs from the folk tradition.
Performers
Chor des Geghard Klosters
director Anahit Papayan
Programme
Geistliche Chormusik aus Armenien
Subscription
Klassik der Welt
Festival
Caucasus