LOS ANGELES TIMES WRITES ABOUT CONCERT OF KOHAR SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

ARMENPRESS
Oct 24, 2007

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 24, ARMENPRESS: The well-known Los Angeles Times
referred to the concert of KOHAR Symphony Orchestra which took place
recently at "Gibson" Amphitheater. The newspaper writes that led by
artistic director Sebouh Abkarian the KOHAR players started with a
buoyant waltz, stirring evening of Armenian-tinged music.

"Gagik Malkasian’s virtuosic duduk playing and the busy fingers of
kanoun artist Anahid Valesian added Armenian authenticity. Classically
oriented pieces were delivered in well-crafted fashion, and KOHAR
went so far as to open the second half with a surprisingly swinging
number titled "Tetmajazz," the newspaper wrote.

According to it, most of the music was vocal, sung by soloists whose
styles ranged from big-voiced operatic to international lounge. "In
most cases, the singers’ numbers were enhanced by the engaging presence
of eight female dancers led by Sousana Mikayelian. Letters from the
Armenian alphabet were spotlighted across the ceilings and walls,"
the newspaper reported.

Much of the second half of the concert, was strongly-oriented toward
the predominantly Armenian crowd: spirited patriotic songs, pop tunes
and familiar traditional numbers.

The Los Angeles Times also gave information about KOHAR. It wrote that
the orchestra was founded in 1997 by Harout Khatchadourian and his
brothers, who entirely sustain the ensemble and its concerts. Named
in honor of their mother, KOHAR, the founders’ goal with the ensemble
is the "aim of reviving and promulgating the Armenian alphabet and
culture."