HOVER CHAMBER CHOIR OF ARMENIA: The Way

Hover Chamber Choir of Armenia

The Way

© 2005 Vem Recordings (634479104206)

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The Hover Chamber Choir of Armenia are back with their third album of Armenian Sacred Music (Sharakans).

tracks

1 Aysor ton e tsnndyan (Today is the Feast of the Nativity)
2 Surb Surb (Sanctus)
3 Havik (The Bird)
4 Ter, vor i mej lerins aghberatsutser (Lord, who made the spring
5 Tsov Kentsaghuys hanapaz zis alekotse ( The sea of life always t
6 Bazmutyunk hreshtakats (The Multitude of Angels)
7 Ter voghormya (Miserere)
8 Janaparh (The Way)
9 Hognutyun mez zhamanya (Mighty Lord, reach us with your help)
10 Harevelits (From the East)
11 Ov zarmanali (O Amazing Mystery)
12 Aysor dzaynn hayrakan (This day the voice of the Father resounde
13 Hishestsuk i gisheri (May we remember your name in the night)
14 Govya Yerusaghem, zter (Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem)
15 Astvatsatsin yerknayin (Mother of God, Heavenly Gate)
16 Siro ko hur (The fire of your love)
17 Votnlvayi yerger ( Hymns for the Washing of Feet on Holy Thursda
18 Ari Ter (Rise up, Lord)
19 Urakh ler (Rejoice)
20 Khorhurd mets (O Great Mystery)
21 Norahrash psakavor (Wondrous Crownbearer)
22 Azgayin orhnerg (Hymn of National Blessing)
23 Hayr mer (Lord's Prayer)
24 Ej Miatsinn i Hore (The Only Begotten of the Father Descended)

notes

Hover Chamber Choir of Armenia releases their third album of Armenian Sacred Music known as "Sharakans". Released on the Vem Recordings label, Hover displays the sound that made them 2000 Gold Medal Winners at the Choral Olympics in Linz, Austria.

The Armenian word Hover (wind) frequently occurs in beautiful folk songs by Komitas, a revered name in Armenian sacred and folk music, which is part of the choir's core repertoire. Wind is a primordial element of nature and a life force - it is part of the 'ecology of the soul', a spirit sweeping through time and, like an epic, legend or tale........

This youthful, musically progressive chamber choir is proud to be able to present Armenian music to the wider world. Both old and new music from the Armenian nation has been a very well-kept secret. Hover has been privileged to be able to be one of the most active Chamber choirs in promoting Armenian music and the wealth of treasure with which this beholds.

The internationally acclaimed, award-winning Hover: Chamber Choir of Armenia was established in Yerevan, Armenia in 1992 as a performing arts group, consisting of 26 singers many of whom are students, or graduates, of the Komitas National Conservatory in Yerevan, Armenia. The choir is supported by donations and honoraria. The tale of Hover began over ten years ago, and continues to evolve......

Hover is a musical ambassador for Armenia and Armenian music, winning diplomas at the International Polyphonic Music Festival in Arezzo, Italy in 1997 and the International Competition in Tours, France as well as the gold medal at the International Choir Olympiad in Linz, Austria in 2000. In September 2003 Hover toured Great Britain, presenting concerts in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Cambridge and London.

Among the major works it has performed in the past five years are Bach's St John and St Matthew Passions, Britten's Cantata Misericordia, Buxtehude's Magnificat, Ludwig Basil's setting of St Gregory of Narek's Book of Lamentations, Requiems by Mozart and Cherubini, Avet Terteryan's Sixth Symphony, as well as numerous collections of Armenian sacred and folk music.

2003, Hover presented Armenian music to the general public of the United Kingdom, singing in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Cambridge and London to critical acclaim.

In 2003 Hover performed "Six Fables," a choral performance of Armenian fabulist Vardan Aigektsi's Fables composed by Stepan Babatorosyan, which has been characterised as a new genre in music culture.

2002, Hover performed with the renowned London Sinfonietta, singing in the world premiere of Stephan Rostomyan's 'Entrance', conducted by Diego Masson.

2001, the male staff of Hover were recorded for the soundtrack of the eminent Canadian filmmaker Atom Egoyan's movie, "Ararat."

Music critics in Armenia, Russia, France, Italy, Austria and the United Kingdom have praised Hover for its timbre, precision and sophisticated handling of close harmonies and complex rhythms of Armenian, classical and especially modern works. The choir has a rich and varied repertoire of Armenian and Western sacred and classical works, folk songs and popular music. Hover's youthful energy and new genres make an immediate connection with the larger listening public.

ABOUT VEM RADIO'S VEM RECORDINGS

In connection with the founding of the Armenia-based private, non-profit classical radio station, VEM (101.6 FM) (www.vem.am) in 2001, Vem Recordings has embarked on a major effort to document Armenian sacred music in Western notation and to offer high-quality recordings of this ancient music tradition worldwide. The texts and music have been carefully verified for accuracy, and performances have been selected for their authentic liturgical timbre, spirituality, and style as part of a comprehensive digital library of Armenian sacred music. The library will comprise recordings of the most acclaimed choirs of Armenia as well as the world-renowned Hilliard Ensemble, which recorded a CD of Armenian sacred music at the 12th-century Armenian Monastery Saghmosavank ("Convent of the Psalms") while on tour in Armenia in 2003. Vem Recording's state-of-the-art-equipment permits world-class recordings to be made in the authentic settings of Armenia's medieval churches and monasteries. With renewed national independence and the reawakening of the Armenian Church in the post-soviet era, Vem is pleased to share the rich heritage of Armenian sacred music through these recordings and radio broadcasts.

reviews

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  • Excellent Compilation of Armenian Church Music
    author: Armenag Topalian

    This is an excellent compilation of key items from the Armenian Church's songs and chants. If you are to have one CD of such music, this is the one. Most are sung in the traditional manner and a couple have new thought-provoking treatments. Good that the Hover Choir is vibrant and developing.

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