WHAT IF AZNAVOUR WERE NOT ARMENIAN?
James Hakobyan

Lragir.am
13-09-2007 17:53:53

On September 13 it became known that the world-famous tenor Jose
Carreras will sing in the capital of Azerbaijan on October 20. It
should be noted for the public that he is one of the tenors whose
concert was at one time shown on all the Armenian channels in turn
until they collected enough footages of concerts of local stars and
started propagating the native music production.

Now the Armenian channels abound with Armenian or at best Russian and
foreign pop stars. And of serious music, Charles Aznavour is often
seen on the Armenian channels. For TV channels, it is OK. After all,
who will sit on the sofa at home and listen to the three tenors,
for instance, or to a symphonic orchestra. I am sure people do not
listen to Aznavour any more because it is impossible to listen all the
time to God’s voice even, let God forgive me. TV is the worst tray
for offering classical or so-called serious music because serious
music requires a corresponding atmosphere, state of mind and soul,
mood. It is difficult to listen to it at home, while cooking in the
kitchen or lying on the sofa. Television is a means of leisure or
discussion of problems. Therefore, it is not natural that pop music
prevails, but it is unnatural that the footage of Aznavour’s concert
is broadcast once in every12 hours.

But when the same kind of music is found on stage – either Aznavour
or Armenian and Russian pop – It already makes worry. Of course, Arto
Tuncboyaciyan also performs but it is difficult to consider a violin
concerto written for a pot and a bottle as serious music. Besides,
when Arto Tuncboyaciyan’s popularity is equal to Spitaktsi Haiko’s
popularity, it means something is wrong, there is too much or too
little salt in the pot. Sometimes performers covered with the dust
of ages are invited, who agree to come because they are not invited
anywhere else. In the long run, however, the concert halls in Yerevan
are dominated by pop. Time and mores are such, and there is nothing
we can do about it. The fans of serious music are too few in Armenia
for the ruling parties to invite world-famous performers of music to
Armenia for their election campaigns, and among them only Aznavour
is Armenian to agree to hold a charity concert in Yerevan.

Certainly it does not mean that in Baku fans have a good taste. I do
not know whether their level is high or low. I only say when there
is a major celebration, performers are invited who used to be famous
stars some ten years ago, meanwhile in Baku Jose Carreras sings on
the opening of the chain of Chopard boutiques, who is already one of
the two tenors because the third passed away. On the other hand, it
is clear why no serious performer comes to Armenia. Perhaps everyone
remembers what the Armenians did when Aznavour signed his book.

Perhaps a signature would remain of Aznavour. Who would afterwards
dare come to the country which was the first to adopt Christianity,
and where everyone loves like God, the stronger, the more jealous?

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress