140 ANNIVERSARY OF KOMITAS CELEBRATED IN ATHENS

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
16.11.2009 16:22 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ 140th anniversary of the great Komitas was marked in
Athens. The evening dedicated to the Armenian composer, ethnographer,
gathered a large number of admirers of the Armenian culture in the
sports and cultural center "Ararat".

Participants had the opportunity to enjoy the music of Komitas
performed by inmates of "Hayastan" center . The event, organized by
the "Haystan" center was attended by representatives of the Armenian
Embassy in Greece and Armenian clergy.

Komitas graduated from Etchmiadzin Theological Academy in 1893. In
1896-99 he studied history and music theory in Berlin. From 1899
he lived in Echmiadzin, led music classes and choir of Theological
Academy. Because of the conflict with conservative church circles he
moved in Constantinople in 1910. From 1919 he lived in Paris. Komitas
was the classic of Armenian music, master of choral polyphony,
the founder of the Armenian science of ethnography. Collector and
researcher of folk songs, he made collections of typical examples
of centuries-old art of the Armenian people. Komitas introduced a
new methodology in folklore studies. As a singer, choir leader and
lecturer, he promoted the Armenian folk music in the Caucasus and
Western European countries, presented reports at the international
music congresses. . His work contributed to the development of the
national school of composition.