Rouben Gregorian's Realization of Komitas' Divine Liturgy: A Timeless Oratorio Wrapped in Glory

By Zareh B. Gregorian

The event was organized by the Friends of the Armenian Culture Society (FACS), a classical music oriented Armenian cultural organization that also celebrating its 50th anniversary.

The program consisted of a single work, the world premiere of Maestro Rouben Gregorian's realization of Komitas Vartabed's Armenian Divine Liturgy. The two-hour composition is based on Komitas' Divine Liturgy, a liturgical oratorio, adapted for symphony orchestra, chorus, and four soloists.

The late composer-conductor Rouben Gregorian devoted almost 28 years to complete this work. The name Komitas had always been a part of Gregorian's life. Starting in his youth, Gregorian sang the liturgy in the church choir conducted by his late father, Levon Gregorian. He later formed the Komitas String Quartet in Tehran, and after immigrating to the United States the ensemble found great success in Boston, MA. Along with the Komitas Choral Ensemble, Gregorian promoted Armenian classical music, especially Komitas.

The composition starts with a solemn prelude played by the orchestra, followed by "Khorhourd Khoreen," and 13 additional hymns, some of which are "Sourp Asdvads," "Sourp Sourp," "Hayr Mer," "Der Vorghormia." These ancient hymns are familiar to Armenian Church attendees, and sung all over the world during performances of the "Patarags." The climax came at the end of the finale, closing with a 51-measure Amen chorus. A glorious ending composed by Gregorian, providing an opportunity for the orchestra, chorus, and the soloists to offer their best.

A select group of orchestral musicians, and the Chorus Promusica formed the ensemble. The soloists and understudies were internationally recognized performers of Armenian descent: Kalin Esperian (soprano), Brenda Roberts (mezzo soprano), Aram Tchobanian, (tenor), and Tigran Martirossian (bass). The understudies were Anahit Zakarian (soprano), Margaret Bragle (mezzo-soprano), and Oshin Gregorian (baritone).

The Chorus ProMusica is directed by Choirmaster Jeffrey Rink, hailed as a "world class conductor, among the best in his generation." Rink prepared the large chorus to sing the liturgy in Armenian, a new language to almost the entire chorus. Thanks to the great artistry of the chorus and the chorus master, along with numerous diction rehearsals, the attention needed to conquer the piece was met. The orchestra members were among players from the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and many of Boston's finest area musicians. Malcolm Lowe, concertmaster of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, led the orchestra. He made a great contribution to the smooth performance of the piece, and played beautifully in the "Hymn of Doxology."

The conductor, Maestro Leon Gregorian, the son of the composer, a prominent conductor, pianist, distinguished professor of music, and Director of Orchestras at Michigan State University, led the program with utmost care, precision, and deep emotion. Maestro Gregorian's conducting was right to the point, showing full command of the score. His great preparation could be seen in the way the ensemble was perfectly coordinated. The product was the result of an 18-month continuous endeavor to publish the score. This entailed the production of the orchestral parts, vocal scores, and the ultimate coordination of the handwritten original manuscript by the Maestro's late father.

There was beautiful singing by soprano, Kallen Esperian, a strong, but delicate performer. Her singing, style, and stage presence leads the listener into a celestial world. The trios sung along with the mezzo, Brenda Roberts, and the tenor, Aram Tchobanian, was sung with deep emotion. The low notes of bass, Tigran Martirossian, were incomparable, sung with full voice, and clear diction. This performance could be ranked as the most successful musical event of the year in New England, attracting a sold-out audience, attention from the press, and Boston's classical music community.

It has not been very common for performances of Armenian classical music to be praised by internationally known music critics, or for a piece to be compared with such masterpieces as Rachmaninoff's Vespers. The Boston Globe review by Richard Dyer mentions very important items about the music, the performance, and the general significance of the event. It is quoted that "The music is solemn, and always slow; its origins in the melismas of liturgical chant and in folk music are always apparent. One feels in the presence of something both ancient and timeless. Gregorian went about his task with utmost professionalism, handling the orchestra and chorus with great skill. The work is almost completely without the element of showmanship that went into some of the great sacred oratorios of Western Europe, it is devotional and in-drawing, and in that respect like the Rachmaninoff Vespers." In a later issue of the Boston Globe, Dyer called the performance of the Chorus ProMusica, "Covered with glory, singing the demanding choral part in Armenian."

Organizing the concert, which commemorated the 1700th anniversary of Armenia's conversion to Christianity, was a difficult task performed by FACS members, the Tavitian Foundation trustees, and the organizing committee, which were supported by local Armenian organizations and religious organizations. Dr. Keran Chobanian, FACS Chairman of the Board, was most instrumental in organizing the participation of the performers. Due to his long time affiliation, and being the official physician for the Boston Symphony for 34 years of his medical career, access to top quality performers became possible, resulting in a glorious performance.

The event was financially supported by a generous grant from the Tavitian foundation. By providing adequate funding for this most important project, Mr. Tavitian, a classical music enthusiast, did not sacrifice the quality of the performance. There was a post concert champagne reception where FACS President Robert Avakian, board members, the conductor, and the performers had an opportunity to express their feelings about the evening's performance.

The event was a significant musical happening, which was greeted by a standing ovation, and lengthy applause from the fully packed audience, who had traveled from all over the country to participate in this commemoration of the 1700th anniversary of Armenia's conversion to Christianity.