Isabel Bayrakdarian and Komitas Vardapet

I've begun research for my Senior Honors Thesis for French. I figure if I'm going to graduate with a largely useless major I should definitely go as far with it as possible. I've decided to focus on the composer Pauline Viardot-Garcia (1810-1921)- composer, pianist, opera diva. Her music is regaining popularity and attention these days (her 200th birthday is coming up!). In my research I found a wonderful album of Viardot's songs compiled by the Armenian-Canadian soprano Isabel Bayrakdarian.




I'm especially intrigued by Isabel because she graduated with a degree in Engineering right before she became a full-time professional singer. I really admire her for such a nontraditional path to success. I dream of having half the success she's had. Not only does she have a gorgeous voice with amazing legato and impressive breath control, I feel every note she sings.

Since I'd fallen in love with her voice I started listening to her newer projects and came across one she's worked on recently: the music of Komitas Vardapet, the father of classical Armenian music.



His story is very sad. Komitas was a well-respected, prolific composer and musicologist during the late 19th centry mainly concentrating on preserving Armenian folk songs. During the Armenian genocide in 1915, over one and a half million Armenians were systematically murdered by the Turkish regime. As during the Holocaust later to come, all intellectuals (musicians and professors etc.) were the first to go. Komitas was miraculously saved by the US Ambassador who admired his music. Tragically, he was the only one of his family or group of friends and colleagues to survive. He lived only to see everyone he loved die.

Komitas spent the rest of his life in mental institutions because of deep depression and eventually died there. You can visit a virtual museum dedicated to his life and work here.

Isabel Bayrakdarian recently recorded a CD of the folk songs he collected- some happy, many sad. This haunting lament "Dle Yaman" is one of my favorites.

Also listen to "Andouni" (Homeless), about the devastation of war.