Isabel Bayrakdarian, Serouj Kradjian and the Manitoba Chamber Orchestra at Zankel Hall
The New York Times, October 22, 2008
Just back from a badly needed 10-day vacation in San Antonio and Houston, and evidently I left a chunk of my brain behind: There is a whale of an error in this concert review, and I have no one to blame but myself. For the record: Gomidas died in 1935, not 1919. Ouch. The newspaper will surely issue a correction shortly. Meanwhile, I'm enormously grateful to Sato Moughalian for the sympathy and generosity expressed in bringing so ridiculous a gaffe to my attention.
I raise this point for the sake of accuracy, but link to the review in its flawed state nonetheless, if only to draw attention to the exemplary work Bayrakdarian and Kradjian did in this concert, and on their corresponding Nonesuch CD, Gomidas Songs. [Oct. 23 addendum: The correction has been made.]
Wish I'd known you were in town! SA is good place, and I'm just settling in.
Posted by: John Clare | October 22, 2008 at 07:52 PM
I absolutely thought about you while I was there, John, but I had so much on my plate with my college reunion activities that there was no time to reach out to friends. But it's likely I'll be back early next year, and I'll let you know in advance when that's happening. I'd be eager to hear firsthand how you're getting along in my old stomping grounds of 20 years past...
Posted by: Steve Smith | October 22, 2008 at 09:35 PM
There's alot more going on than I thought possible! And my colleagues are sweet people...plus nice weather, big city, less taxes, the list goes on and on.
Do holler if you when you come back!
Posted by: John Clare | October 22, 2008 at 09:58 PM
http://www.myspace.com/komitasvardapet
Steve - I wish I had been at this concert. But I'm confused - the composer is Komitas but the song collection is called Gomidas Songs? And the nonesuch page refers to Komitas as "Gomidas"?
Not trying to point out another mistake - it may be I'm confused. I was led to Komitas' music by a friend who plays in Deleyaman - an excellent sort of Armenian progressive rock band (you'd probably love em!).
CB
Posted by: Chris Becker | October 23, 2008 at 09:47 AM
Hey Chris, Gomidas is the composer's Armenian name -- not his birth name, but the name he took when he became a priest. Vartabed, which looks like it could be a last name, is actually a title. That full name is frequently given in Anglicized transliteration as Komitas Vardapet.
Posted by: Steve Smith | October 23, 2008 at 11:33 AM
Oh! Thanks for clearing that up. I look forward to getting the nonesuch CD.
Here's a link to my friend's band which I mentioned...
http://www.myspace.com/deleyaman
Take care,
CB
Posted by: Chris Becker | October 23, 2008 at 12:09 PM