Luys I Luso

Pianist Tigran Hamasyan s ECM debut is an extraordinary exploration of Armenian sacred music. Hamasyan has selected hymns and sharakans (Armenia s liturgical songs) as well as chants by Grigor Narekatsi, Nerses Shnorhali, Mesrop Mashtots, Mkhitar Ayrivanetsi, Grigor Pahlavuni, Komitas, and Makar Yekmalyan and arranged this selection for voices and piano. This is music of the 5th to 19th centuries, finding new and dramatic expression through Hamasyan s improvisational imagination and the committed performances of Armenia s leading choir. Luys i Luso (Light from the Light) was recorded in Yerevan in October 2014, and produced by Manfred Eicher.

In March 2015, Tigran Hamasyan and the Yerevan State Chamber Choir began an extensive tour of churches in Armenia, Georgia, Turkey, Lebanon, France, Belgium, Switzerland, Czech Republic, England, Germany, Luxembourg, Russia and USA, celebrating Armenia s rich musical heritage around the world.

All arrangements by Tigran Hamasyan
Recorded Oct 9-11, 2014 at Argo Recording Studio, Yerevan
Recording Engineer: Markus Heiland
DDD
Produced by Manfred Eicher