arax

I was searching for news on Armen again since he has been all over the press opening for british singer Nick Cave and came across this thread again. NO I am not his 100 year old grand mother! nor did I know we have the same name, maybe I'm related to him! Armen recently released his first album and it is mostly Komitas, with one Ganatchian and a couple of original pieces. I listen to it all the time for it's so beautiful and haunting. Again as I mentioned before, he is bringing our music to an entirely new demographic and the album is doing great on itunes. If anyone is interested, his website has all the info.armenra.com

I had the pleasure of seeing Armen Ra in concert at the United Nations last year, and after waiting in reception line for 45 minutes, I met him. He was elegant and gracious, with the mannerism of a prince. Fluent in Armenian and from a prominent aristocratic family in Iran. I have also seen Lydia Kavina 3 times, and there is no comparison. Ms Kavina having studied with her uncle since the age of 9,( she is in her 40's) and Armen only playing for 5 years. I actually fell asleep the last time I saw Lydia. However Armens intensity and emotional playing had me in tears. Considering the short time he has played he is excelling rapidly. This "curiosity" has performed at many high end venues, he is an excellent musician and very well know in US and Europe, having just played in Vienna for the anniversary of Mozart. Perhaps before your smug comment you should read the list of places he has performed, and how much awareness he has brought to the cause of the Genocide. By curiosity you must mean stunning, beautiful and other worldly. At least he has the power to be himself, and show his face to the world. His beautiful Armenian face! I wonder what you look like? hiding behind your anonymous computer screen, being judgmental? Shouldn't we support young Armenian artists, rather than calling them "curiosities" and unnecessarily criticizing them? AMOT KEZ A. Makarian Connecticut U.S. for those of you with education and open minds here is his myspace pages. http://www.myspace.com/armenra http://www.myspace.com/armenramusic