Unfinished Melody

UNFINISHED MELODY
Eva Lusikian

Yerkir.am
June 23, 2006

A commemoration concert dedicated to the 50th anniversary of composer,
piano player and musician Stepan Lusikian was held at Alexander
Spendiarian Opera and Ballet Theater on June 13.

Nune Yessayan, Syuzan Margarian, Aramo, Emma Petrossian, Armen
Gevorgian, Artur Ispirian, Alexander Vardanian as well as children’s
choirs of Tigran Hekekian and David Zolian performed the composer’s
works.

It would be easier to write about Stepan Lusikian, the artist,
composer and intellectual. The most difficult thing is to write about
him using the past tense.

One could tell about his work, his public activities. However, it is
very difficult to find words to describe his personality, his inner
world… Melody is the expression of one’s soul. This is why Stepan
Lusikian’s works are easily recognizable from the very first sounds.

One of his unique abilities was the ability to listen. He would listen
to you in a way that you seemed to find the answers to seemingly
unsolvable questions. You would look into his eyes and would see
yourself… He was an extremely interesting person to talk to. He
had a unique worldview and a unique sense of humor.

I can remember his enthusiasm when he would feel he had a new
creative idea.

He would sit in front of the piano looking somewhere far away. He
liked to show his new works to people. Their opinion was important
and inspiring for him.

He was very cautious in his relations with others. He treated
everything from the perspective of some global holistic philosophy. He
took life as it was.

He treated people the way they were, without trying to change them,
with no evil intentions.

This is probably what attracted people towards him. This is what
penetrated into everyone’s soul…

"… If you are to forgive, you must forgive the unforgivable. You must
forgive when no one else forgives, when you don’t forgive yourself.

And if you are to understand, then you must understand the
un-understandable, the absurd, the wrong. Every one can understand
what is correct.

And if you are to give hope, give it when the last ray of hope is
gone. And if you are not to sell, do it when every one else has sold.

… And most importantly, if you are not to betray someone or
something, you should not betray when it fully deserves betrayal.
Stapan Lusikian."

Stepan Lusikian was truly connected to the country.

Patriotism is a complex feeling…

His songs are full of love towards Armenia. And this love is very
profound…

He loved Armenia’s land and water, fruits. He loved Komitas,
Sayat-Nova, Narekatsi. He loved Armenian films, mountains. He loved
the heat of Yerevan.

There was always some nostalgia in his songs as if he knew that he
would soon have to leave his homeland.

I am sure that my father lives in the hearts of those who knew him. He
will live as long as his songs and melody live…