Arts brief: New version of Divine Liturgy released on CD

Published: Tuesday February 03, 2009

George Kirazian’s version of the Divine Liturgy of the Armenian Apostolic Church..

San Diego, Calif. - A new version of the Divine Liturgy of the Armenian Apostolic Church (the Holy Badarak) has been released on a two-CD set.

The new Badarak was composed by musician and author George Kirazian, and performed by the San Diego a cappella choral group Pacific Camerata.

Composing the Badarak has been a 12-year labor of love for Kirazian, who became intimately familiar with the versions composed by Yegmalian and Komitas while singing in San Diego's Saint John Garabed Armenian Church. "With love and respect for the Yegmalian and Komitas versions, Kirazian was inspired to compose a new version of the music, combining both modern sensibilities and traditional harmonies while retaining the original text," a church spokesperson said.

The Kirazian Badarak has been performed in excerpt at St. John Garabed. One of the founders of the church, the composer has served there for decades. The piece has also been performed at various concerts by Pacific Camerata.

The officiating clergy member on the recording is Archbishop Vatche Hovsepian of the Western Diocese. He is assisted by deacons Hagop and Hohvaness Hovsepian of New Jersey. 

Kirazian writes in the album notes, "The Divine Liturgy is a divine dialogue. . . . In the various versions that have been sung for generations, the chants and prayers of the officiating priest and deacons, and the choral praise of the choir, blend into a humble vocal offering that is heartfelt and deeply moving. Each Sunday, in Armenian churches throughout the world, our Divine Liturgy enables the entire congregation to grow spiritually. . . . I hope my version will, like those before it, nourish the spirit of all who hear it."

A published author, teacher, and composer, Kirazian completed undergraduate and graduate studies in literature and opera at New York University and for many years taught writing and literature courses at Grossmont College in El Cajon, California. In addition to publishing poetry and fiction, he has written scripts and instructional videos, including the popular Let's Play the Piano and All Those Keyboards (Kultur Video). Kirazian's other musical compositions include various art songs, hymns, and a ballet.

connect:
kirazianbadarak.com