Tigran Hamasyan - The Bird of a Thousand Voices - 2 x Vinyl LP Box Set

2024

Last year, Tigran Hamasyan composed his greatest work, inspired by a traditional Armenian tale of the same name: The Bird of a Thousand Voices, is rediscovering this story in a transmedia project, consisting of an innovative livestaged play (world premiere at the Holland Festival on June 8, 2024), two ambitious cinematic fiction music videos, a documentary music video and an online game.

The original story of the firebird has been orally transmitted over the centuries and cultures. The folk tale requires a multi-layered, transdisciplinary approach to provide an artistic context for this fascinating story. The mystical bird of a thousand voices is a beautiful metaphor of our times: a world in search of connection and harmony, faced with ecological, psychological and spiritual crises. Any form of recognition and new means of transmitting this beautiful music of the ancient traditions of the Caucasus is therefore important and sets the tone for world curiosity and diversity. "The Bird Of A Thousand Voices" is part of this context. Tigran is one of the most remarkable jazz pianists and composers of his generation. He combines improvisation with the rich traditional music of his native Armenia.

Ten years ago, Tigran and award-winning filmmaker Ruben Van Leer met during a collaboration at the Cite de la Musique in Paris, creating "Shadow Theater", a visual musical experience (see ARTE broadcast). They went on to create several music videos together (see Cave of Rebirth & Fides Tua). Armenian culture, geopolitically situated between globalized powers such as Russia, Turkey and Azerbaijan, has been under pressure for centuries. Most recently, in September 2023, Azerbaijan took over Armenian territory. Right after, almost the entire population was expelled from the mountainous region of Nagorno-Karabakh as part of an "ethnic cleansing", in the words of the European Parliament. Azerbaijan is now expressly ordering the burning of ancient historical manuscripts in Armenian monasteries.

Songs / Tracks Listing

1. The Kingdom (3:30)
2. The Curse (Blood of an Innocent Is Spilled) (6:51)
3. The Bird of a Thousand Voices (3:51)
4. Areg's Calling (Towards the World Above) (5:16)
5. The Path of No Return (3:13)
6. The Quest Begins (4:32)
7. Areg and Manushak (He Saw Her Reflection in the Water) (4:05)
8. The Saviour Is Condemned (2:01)
9. Guidance (Areg Meets Zaman) (2:28)
10. Flaming Horse and the Thunderbolt Sword (From the Depths of the Sea) (3:46)
11. Red, White and Black Worlds (6:12)
12. Bells of Memory (2:10)
13. Only the One Who Brought the Bird Can Make It Sing (5:20)
14. Prophecy of a Sacrifice (4:23)
15. The Demon of Akn Anatak (2:16)
16. Temptations (Follow the Luminous Feather) (2:41)
17. Forty Days in the Realm of Bottomless Eye (He Brings Light Into the Soil of Evil) (3:53)
18. He Refuses to Be Immortal (The Goddess of Paradise Gives Him the Enchanting Bird) (4:27)
19. The Return (Through Vast Deserts, Seas and Dark Mountains) (3:06)
20. Betrayed by Brothers (1:52)
21. The Well of Death and Resurrection (4:37)
22. Sing Me a Song When You Wil Be at the Place Where All Is Bliss (2:33)
23. The Eternal Birds Sings and the Garden Blooms Again (6:01)
24. Postlude (After Seven Winters) (2:24)

Line-up / Musicians

- Tigran Hamasyan / keyboard, piano

With:
- Areni Agbabian / vocals, vocal effects
- Nate Wood / drums
- Marc Karapetian / bass