Tagharan Ancient Music Ensemble celebrates 45th anniversary

A jubilee concert marking the 45th anniversary of the founding of the Tagharan Ancient Music Ensemble will take place on November 12 at 7:00 p.m. at the Komitas Chamber Music Hall. The evening will bring together the ensemble’s musicians, soloists, and distinguished artists who have collaborated with “Tagharan” throughout its history.

The concert program will reflect the ensemble’s 45-year artistic journey, featuring some of the most cherished works from its repertoire. The selection will include compositions by Antonio Vivaldi, Henry Purcell, Gerónimo Giménez, and Luigi Arditi, alongside works by Armenian composers Barsegh Kanachyan, Khachatur Avetisyan, and Hambardzum Berberyan, as well as Gusan Shahen.

The program will also feature arrangements of Armenian folk songs and instrumental pieces, including “Hovvi Kanch” (The Shepherd’s Call), “Vayots Dzor Horovel,” “Injinar Yar,” “Parerg Musaleran” (Dance-Song of Musaler), and “Vznotsd Yes Em Nakhshel” (I Designed Your Necklace).

Special guests of the jubilee evening will include soprano Anush Hovhannisyan (United Kingdom), soprano Irina Zakyan, and renowned violinist Nikolay Madoyan.

The concert will also feature soloists of the “Tagharan” ensemble: sopranos Gayane Ghambaryan and Galina Tsolakyan, mezzo-soprano Lusine Markosyan, baritone Hovsep Nshanyan, flute player Hasmik Harutyunyan, duduk player Artak Asatryan, and organist Tereza Voskanyan.

 About the Ensemble

Tagharan Ancient Music Ensemble was founded in 1981. Until 1985, it was known as Sharakan. The founder and first artistic director is Grigor Danielyan (Daniel Erazhisht).

A special period in Tagharan’s history is associated with its former artistic director (1987-1994), Yervand Yerkanyan. Under his wise guidance, a large new repertoire was created in a relatively short time. It includes more than 300 valuable and exquisite interpretations of Armenian sacred, patriotic, and folk songs. In 1988, Tagharan was granted the status of a state ensemble. Since 1994, the artistic director and principal conductor of Tagharan has been the pianist Sedrak Yerkanyan, who continues to shape the ensemble’s aesthetic and artistic objectives.

Another fascinating aspect of Tagharan’s activity is the performance of pre-classical and baroque music. Holistic programs include music from old German, French, English, Italian, and other traditions. Interpretations are remarkable for the harmonious, well-measured performance of the soloists.