TURKISH STATE CHOIR TO PERFORM ARMENIAN WORK FOR FIRST TIME
armradio.am
26.02.2010 12:06
For the first time in Turkey’s history, the Ankara Radio Polyphonic
Choir, which is affiliated with the state-owned Turkish Radio and
Television Corporation, or TRT, has performed a work by a leading
Armenian composer, the Hurriyet Daily News reports.
Led by Istanbul-based conductor Hagop Mamigonyan, the choir performed
the "Harvest Wind," a work by Armenian polyphonic music expert and
ethnomusicologist Komitas, the choir will perform the work again at
an Armenian church in Istanbul
Founded in 1970, the TRT decided last year to celebrate its 40th
anniversary with 40 different conductors, both Turkish and foreign.
One of those it invited was the young Hagop Mamigonyan of the Surp
Lusavoric Armenian Choir, which has been performing in Istanbul for
80 years. Each conductor was free to select the music that would be
performed. Mamigonyan told the TRT that he wanted to lead the choir
in an Armenian piece.
"When I told them on the phone that I wanted to perform an Armenian
work, there was silence for a few seconds on the other end of the line,
but my request was accepted," Mamigonyan told the Hurriyet Daily News &
Economic Review.
Still, Mamigonyan said, he had doubts until he started working with
the choir and was worried that the TRT administration would retreat
at the last minute, but this did not happen. Recordings of the concert
will be available in the coming months. In another historic first, the
Ankara Radio Polyphonic Choir will also perform the same composition
in the Surp Yerortutyun Armenian Church in Istanbul’s Beyoglu district.
In previous years, performing Armenian songs was banned on TRT
television channels and radio stations. By making his proposal,
Mamigonyan achieved a first in Turkey, a historic responsibility for
someone of his young age.
"I express my gratitude to the TRT administration that supported
my idea," he said. "Turkish and Armenian composers created common
works during the Ottoman era. Why don’t we do it today? Yes, it may
be difficult, but it is time to say ‘full speed ahead’ for dialogue
and a peaceful future."