Vem Radio: Analyses & News from Armenia, Christianity & Culture, Classical & Sacred Music: Vem Radio - Music

Vem records Armenian sacred music (sharakans) at Vem Recordings Studio, with the purpose of creating a comprehensive compilation of Armenian spiritual music. The recordings are done with the best choirs and soloists. In 2005, Vem released “The Way” album of Armenian sharakans, performed by the acclaimed Hover Chamber Choir of Armenia, and “De Profundis”, with soloists Anahit Papayan, Lusine Ghazarian and the Hover Chamber Choir. In 2007, Vem Recordings published the album of the renowned Komitas State Quartet, including masterpieces by the leading contemporary Armenian composers.

Vem has recorded a high quality CD of Armenian sharakans performed by the legendary Hilliard Ensemble in Saghmosavank, an historic Armenian 12th Century Monastery. Vem was instrumental in bringing this world renowned ensemble of the UK to Armenia in 2003.

Komitas: Armenian Divine Liturgy

The Holy Patarag (Divine Liturgy), arranged by Komitas Vardapet, is one of the masterpieces of the Armenian sacred music. The Hover Chamber Choir of Armenia with Sona Hovhannisyan as Artistic Director and Conductor (Assistant Choirmaster – Eleonora Asatryan), was the first in the 21st century (in 2006) to release Komitas’ polyphonic arrangement of the Liturgy for male choir.

The double album encloses a booklet in Armenian and English where the reviews by musicologist and art critic Dr. Mher Navoyan, such as ”Divine Liturgy of the Holy Armenian Apostolic Church,” “Musical Structure of the Holy Patarag,” and “The Komitas Patarag for Male Choir” are presented. The booklet also includes the texts of the Armenian Divine Liturgy, brief summaries on the creative activity of the Hover Chamber Choir and Sona Hovhannisyan, as well as photos by Zaven Khachikyan.

The album was recorded at Vem Recording Studio. Editors of the project are Thomas Samuelian and Vahe Begoyan, Choir Manager – Arman Padaryan. The recording was made possible by a grant from the Flora Family Foundation (USA).

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