Tigran Mansurian: Choral Works

It was republished in 2016 with a new design.

Tigran Mansurian’s "Choral Songs" album was released in 2014 by the Naregatsi Art Institute. An informative booklet, which includes all the poems of the choral compositions, is enclosed to it. It was republished in 2016 with a new design and was renamed “Choral Works”.

The choral compositions included in this collection have been numerously performed but are presented on a CD for the first time. The compositions written within a substantial period of 1969-2010 cover the various stages of Mansurian’s musical thinking through the works of the great Armenian poets.

“Armenian classical music per se originated from the pieces written for the choir. In Mansurian’s music there is a kind of discourse with the historically accrued musical heritage of the Armenian nation on the one hand, and 20th century Armenian poetry on the other, giving it a “singing” interpretation, softening it at times or, conversely, emphasizing the “consonant clusters” of the Armenian language at other times.
When one hears Mansurian’s pieces of choral compositions and vocal music in general, irrespective of one’s attitude toward the music, one cannot help admiring the perfect harmony between the text and the melodic line as it stems from the deep and unconventional reading of the poetry and its thorough perception”.

Artur Avanesov
His creative efforts were well received from the very beginning of his career, as evidenced by numerous awards and state honors.
Tigran Mansurian, having his unique place and important role in Armenian culture, was born on January 27, 1939 in Beirut.

Lebanese-born Armenian composer of mostly orchestral, chamber, choral, and vocal works and film scores that have been performed throughout the world.
His family moved to Armenia in 1947. Mansurian studied composition at the Romanos Melikian Music College in Yerevan from 1956-60, and at the Yerevan Komitas State Conservatory from 1960-65. He completed his post-graduate studies in 1967.
He has received a number of awards and state honors. He was the first composer to be nominated for a Grammy Award.

The Choral Songs are performed by Armenian Chamber Choir (ACC), which was established in 2000 under the sponsorship of Vatche and Tamar Manoukian Benevolent Association. The artistic director and principal conductor of the choir is Robert Mlkeyan, a Movses Khorenatsi medal recipient, Artist Honorarium of Armenia.

In 2008 the choir acquired state status and was renamed into The State Chamber Choir of Armenia (SCCA).

The SCCA is a professional choir of 35 musicians. Their repertoire includes the works of Gabrielli, Bach, Brahms, Vasks, Schnittke, as well as works of Komitas and modern Armenian composers, such as Tigran Mansurian, David Haladjian, Edward Hairapetian and others.

The SCCA implements a benevolent program and performs in various regions of Armenia.