“God have mercy from the Liturgy in TV program the Song of Songs ”

Authors

  • Grigor Petros Pitetjian Yerevan State Conservatory

Keywords:

song, Liturgy, Komitas, Yekmalyan, Kara-Murza, Catholicos of Simeon Yerevantsi, Diaspora, “Song of Songs”

Abstract

Musicologist, honourable professor of YSC Grigor Petros Pitetjian (USA). - “God have mercy¦ from the Liturgy in TV program the Song of Songs”. The author, having heard broadcast of the telecast “Song of Songs” in the USA, have written the critique about a fragment from the Liturgy “God have mercy”. The author welcomes creators of TV program but at the same time warns about responsibility for incorrect interpretation of traditional sacred Armenian music, gives the analytical comparative analysis of options “God have mercy” of Kara-Murza, Komitas, Ekmalyan that will help the use of these options with vocal performing practice.

Author Biography

Grigor Petros Pitetjian, Yerevan State Conservatory

(spiritual name Hakob) born in 1935 in Alexandria (Egypt).Primary education got at national school after Poghosyan (pedagogue of music, the chorus master Karpis Aprikyan). He ended a spiritual seminary of Katokhikosat of the Great House of Kilikia in Antilias (pedagogue of musical disciplines Hambartsum Perperyan, the expert of sacred music (sharakan) Gnel Cherechyan). On the 3rd year of study acquired the right to lead discipline and he was enlisted as a main teacher. After the termination of seminary he visited the State Conservatory of Beirut, at the same time he taught in musical school and received a post of the musical director in Patriarchate of St. Grigor The Illuminator (the requirement are profound knowledge of the Armenian church sacred music and the ability to direct church choir). In the 1960th organized man's chorus (it consists of 30 choristers for performance in ceremonies of Chant, liturgy of the Archimandrite Komitas). After justification in New York with assistance of the famous pupil of Komitas Mihran Tumachyan he organized chorus "Gusan". During these 10 years he trained his singers. In 1964 together with the ballet master Nvard Ambaryan based the First song dancing ensemble of the Armenia (it consists of 120 people), performing to the listeners the Armenian national songs and dances, acted at the World fair organized in New York (in days of Armenia he was awarded with the honored certificate by the Mayor of New York Nelson Rockefeller). P. studied in conservatory of Mannes as a specialist of chorus master, received B.S; in Hantr college profession musicology, the master (M.S.) . Some years taught musical disciplines in the State College of New York. In 1969 P. was invited to the homeland by the Committee of cultural ties of Armenia for the participation in celebration of the 100th anniversary since the birth of the Archimandrite Komitas. From 1969-1970 had been the assistant of the chorus master of the Conservatory of Mannes. P. was one of the founders of chorus "Gusan" which became a basis of the All Armenian cultural and educational union "Hamazgain". From 1970-1981 he directed chorus of a cathedral of St. Vardan in New York which founded in his times. Execution of a brass and string band of processings by P. of the Armenian patriotic and spiritual songs still is unsurpassed. Several of his processings and author's works were executed in Lebanon, Syria, Egypt, Jordan, Iraq, Armenia, Canada, Greece, Argentina, France, different cities of the USA. His musicological researches and critiques are published in the Armenian press (both in Armenia, and beyond its limits). He presented reports in the cities of the USA - New York, New Jersey, Boston, Glendale, Frezno, San Francisco, Michigan, and also in Montreal (Canada) and Alexandria (Egypt). His musical works are published in a publication of a cathedral of St. Echmiadzin "Echmiadzin", in Katolikosat's body of the Great House of Kilikia "Hask", and also in the All Armenian cultural and educational union "Hamazgain". He is an author of 4 books: "A place of the Armenian revolutionary songs in the history of the Armenian music", New York; "Grigor Narekatsi composer", Echmiadzin; "The souls which devoted themselves to Christ's love", New York: Sis; "Qristofor Kara-Murza", Yer.: YSC publishing house, 2013. For the day of the 90th anniversary of Genocide of Armenians it was pub lished in memory deceased "Yergapsak" ("A wreath of songs") the CD performed by chorus and an orchestra under control of P. For long-term service he is award ed as gilded conductor's baton and Certificates of appreciation. In November, 2007. by his Holiness Katokhikos of All Armenians Garegin II was awarded with St. Nerses Shnohrali's medals. On October 5, 2008 the All Armenians cultural and educational union "Hamazgain" was awarded him with the gold medal "For Long-term Services and Prosperity of the Armenian Musical Culture". On October 17, 2008 the director of National library of Armenia Sargsyan organized presentation of 3 books, and the chairman of the Union of composers and musicologists of Armenia R. B. Amirkhanyan solemnly handed him the ticket of the member of CU RA. On October 23, 2010 under the leadership of the rector, professor of YSC S. G. Saradzyan in A. I. Khachaturian's House museum organized grand celebration. P. in the day of the 75th anniversary from the date of his birth and the 50th anniversary of creative activity was organized an opening speech of the editor-in-chief and founder of "YSC Publishing house" G. K. Shagoyan. In the same day the representative of Katokhikos of All Armenians Garegin II Arkhbishop gave wishes and congratulations to Tatev Sargsyan, and also shared with his memories. Also on October 29, 2010 took place the presentation of future number of the international scientific journal "Musical Armenia" 2 (37) 2010, devoted to the 75th anniversary since birth and the 50th anniversaries of creative activ ity of P. under the chairmanship of the rector of YSC, professor S.G. Saradzyan. Rektorate and the Scientific council of conservatory gave P. the rank of honorable pro fessor of YSC. P. with his national views and manysided activities in the field of music developed musical culture of the Armenian Diaspora of the USA.on October 29, 2010 under the chairmanship of the rector of YSC, professor S.G. Saradzhyan Rektorate and the Scientific council of conservatory has given P. the rank of honorary professor of YSC. The national views and many-sided activity in the field of P.'s music have developed the musical culture of the Armenian diaspora of the USA.

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Published

2018-03-22

How to Cite

Pitetjian Գ. Պ. (2018). “God have mercy from the Liturgy in TV program the Song of Songs ”. Musical Armenia, 1(54), 18–23. Retrieved from https://yerazhshtakanhayastan.am/index.php/ma/article/view/8

Issue

Vol. 1 No. 54 (2018): Musical Armenia

Section

Articles