Kirill Gerstein points finger at Turkish genocide
NewsThe Berlin pianist is releasing a video of music by Komitas Antuni (1869-1935). He says it is ‘in commemoration of the Armenian genocide (of 1915), and in solidarity with victims of mass violence everywhere.’
This week was Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day.
Gerstein gave an incandescent rendition of a song transcription by Komitas Antuni as an encore at his Carnegie Hall recital last January. Gerstein has a first class technique, gives deeply felt performances and thoughtfully explores repertoire. In many ways he is a model artist.
This is easily one of the best albums of 2024. The unexpected combination of chamber music compositions by Debussy and Komitas is riveting from start to finish, particularly with the participation of Thomas Ades and the wonderful Ruzan Mantashyan. It’s a sad state of affairs that this album feels truly relevant but with the wars in Ukraine, Israel and Gaza, not to mention Azerbaijan’s genocidal actions (with Turkey’s open support) against indigenous Armenians in Artsakh, this recording is a vibrant reminder of the necessity of art in our darkest hours.
“In solidarity with victims of mass violence everywhere”
That’s a very ambiguous statement. Lots of mass violence over the past months. Lots of victims.
Why is it “ambiguous”? Can’t one grieve for all of the victims? Must solidarity be mutually exclusive?
Thank you Mr. Lebrecht for posting this.
A deeply moving commemoration of a deeply disturbing event. The great pianist never fails to be refreshing, in his interpretations and his thoughtful explorations of repertoire. Ruzan Mantashyan sounds gripping to me.
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