OUT NOW | The Aznavoorian Duo’s New CD: "Gems From Armenia"

April 8 2022

Released on the Chicago-based Cedille Records label, Armenian-American sisters Ani and Marta make their recording debut

The Aznavoorian Duo, Chicago-raised sisters cellist Ani Aznavoorian and pianist Marta Aznavoorian, join together to create this debut.

The album presents works by Komitas Vartabed, Aram Khachaturian, Arno Babajanian, Avet Terterian, and Armenian contemporary composers Serouj Kradjian, Alexander Arutiunian, and Vache Sharafyan. It will also feature a world premiere recording of a new piece by Peter Boyer.

The Aznavoorian Duo comments, "The idea for this CD sprung out of gratitude to the proud and soulful people of Armenia and our homage to the historical challenges they have overcome and continue to engage with."

Celebrating the sounds of their homeland, the Armenian-American duo will be returning to the Chicago area to perform a recital featuring works from the album on Sunday, May 15, 2022 at 3:00 PM at Nichols Hall at the Music Institute of Chicago in Evanston.

To purchase the album, click here. You can watch the album trailer below:

Emil Lazarian

“I should like to see any power of the world destroy this race, this small tribe of unimportant people, whose wars have all been fought and lost, whose structures have crumbled, literature is unread, music is unheard, and prayers are no more answered. Go ahead, destroy Armenia . See if you can do it. Send them into the desert without bread or water. Burn their homes and churches. Then see if they will not laugh, sing and pray again. For when two of them meet anywhere in the world, see if they will not create a New Armenia.” - WS