Seemorgh (also Simorgh, Simurgh) is a legendary bird in Persian literature. Literally translated “Thirty-Birds,” it has been cleverly used by Fareed Eddeen Attaar (1142–1220), one of the greatest Persian Sufi mystic poets, in his Mantegh Attayr, The Conference of the Birds, to explain how the group effort of thirty birds led them to a superior destiny, becoming a Seemorgh. Attar’s ingenious interpretation, the symbolic association of birds with beautiful singing, and the obvious collaborative nature of a chorus, among others, were the motivations for choosing “Seemorgh” as the name for this ensemble.

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A Transcendent Homage: A Choral Tribute to the House of Torgom
(March 27, April 3 and 9, 2011)

The Seemorgh Ensemble performed a colorful selection of Armenian sacred and secular choral repertoire as a well-deserved tribute to the legacy of the “House of Torgom.” The program featured works by Komitas in memory of the 75th anniversary of his passing. The audience discovered the wittiness of Barsegh Kanachian in his Shoosho and Dsenkele-Menkele, and was mesmerized by Leylaama and To Beeyo, two masterful compositions of Sergey Aghajanian in Persian dialects. A recent work by Daniel Yeazhisht, April 24 (La Minor), was truly transcendent in that time of year, and James Gozalian’s Dsidsernak (Swallow),  called to mind the unmatched beauty of the Armenian choral heritage.

Artin Der Minassians, Artistic Director

Audience feedback:

• "Thank you for another wonderful and unique evening with Armenian choral music."

• "I really enjoyed the concert tonight. It was an amazing program and I appreciate all the hard work that you guys put into it."
  

• "Congratulations! Your concert last night, I thought, was so moving that it brought Gomidas Vartabed back to life. It was beautifully presented and those sounds and the music conjured up deep emotions the likes of which I had not experienced in a long long time. Thank you, thank you, thank you..."
  

• "Thank you so much for arranging an absolutely beautiful choral concert celebrating the music of Komitas and selected Armenian composers. We are truly blessed to have you share the beauty and message of these compositions. Our gratitude goes out to each member of the Seemorgh Ensemble for their commitment and dedication in sharing their talents with us. Thank you for enriching our lives."

• "I am very impressed with the quality of your work and proud to have been a part of the audience."
  

Program Notes: Click here

Music Samples: Coming Soon...

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Year 2009 commemorated the 140-year anniversary of the birth of Komitas (1869-1935), the founder of the Armenian classical music. The Seemorgh Ensemble honored this occasion by bringing to life some rarely performed sacred and secular choral masterpieces by Komitas and his renowned student, Barsegh Kanachian. Program featured Komitas’ two unseen jewels, Lord’s Prayer and Vespers Hymn, along with An den Wassern zu Babel, the only choral music he composed in German. Kanachian’s Nanor took the audience on a pilgrimage to St. Karapet monastery and a complete cycle of Komitas’ Wedding Songs, together with other surprises, called to mind the beauty of Armenian tradition.

Artin Der Minassians, Conductor
Vahan Mirakian, Guest Soloist

Audience feedback:

• "May I just say how much my wife and I enjoyed the performance... I was proud to see Komitas’ work given the attention it deserves and as a fan I was floored by the quality, and tone of the performance. My many thanks to you, and all the singers who lent their tremendous talents."

• "Congratulations on a beautiful concert last night. It was a privilege to hear that music. It was very moving. We really enjoyed it. Beautiful sound in a beautiful church. I loved Nanor especially."

• "It was a spectacular performance."

• "What a wonderful performance, under the spell of the beautiful architecture and mosaics. Thank you for continuing to give us beautiful art!! I know it requires alot of energy that anything beautiful requires! That was the most beautiful version of Hayr Mer [Lord's Prayer] I had ever heard."

• "Splendid concert last night. Thanks for making Komitas accessible to the Bay Area!"

Program Notes: Click here

Music Samples: Coming Soon...

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After movingly sublime and enthusiastically received performances of Armenian choral repertoire in June and July 2008, Bay Area Classical Harmonies was proud to present a full program of rarely-performed Armenian classical music. Audiences experienced Sarkis Aslamazian's unparalleled arrangements for string quartet as well as choral masterpieces by Komitas, M. Yekmalian, B. Kanachian, G. Syuni, and the late S. Aghajanian. These best-kept secrets of Eastern classical music promised to be an experience music lovers would not soon forget.

Artin Der Minassians, Conductor
Berverly Nalbandian, Guest Soloist

Program Notes: Click here

Music Samples: Coming Soon...

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