Tigran Hamasyan - Luys i Luso
Tigran Hamasyan
with Yerevan State Chamber Choir
Luys i Luso
A breathtaking re-imagining of Armenian sacred music from
the 5th to 20th centuries by ‘the hottest pianist in jazz’
(The Guardian) and a superb Armenian chamber choir.
Presented by
Waltons World Masters
Consulate of the Republic of Armenia in Ireland
A truly original musician, pianist, composer and singer, Tigran Hamasyan came to Ireland for the first time in 2012, at the age of 24, to perform a solo concert of astonishing range and depth that included strikingly original compositions not only strongly influenced by the Armenian folk tradition but also by American jazz.
Returning to Ireland for a second World Masters concert in 2014, Tigran and his trio explored new avenues – both sonic and electronic – drawing on sources as diverse as Madlib, Sigur Rós and Steve Reich.
For his third visit, Tigran will present Luys i Luso (‘Light from Light’), a spellbinding exploration of Armenian sacred music, all freshly arranged for voices and improvising piano by Tigran himself, and featuring the superb Yerevan State Chamber Choir conducted by Harutyun Topikyan. Luys i Luso will be performed in 100 churches around the world, in commemoration of the 1915 Armenian genocide.
The music ranges from sparsely beautiful Armenian chant to compositions by the great Armenian composer Komitas (well known from performances by Jan Garbarek & The Hilliard Ensemble), with Tigran’s sublime improvisations woven into the musical texture. An album of the project was recorded in Yerevan, Armenia for the renowned ECM record label.
‘A mature and great and rich and deep artist.’ CHICK COREA
‘He plays piano like a raga – the next Keith Jarrett.’ TRILOK GURTU
‘Tigran Hamasyan stands out because he has something important and urgent to say.’ DAILY TELEGRAPH
‘For years I have been wanting to do an album of only Armenian sacred music, but only two or three years ago I finally dared to make my first steps towards arranging sacred hymns, chants and cantos dating all the way back to the 5th century up until the 20th. The working process of Luys i Luso was a truly inspiring and life changing experience for me.’ TIGRAN HAMASYAN