Komitas: Seven Songs

The Armenian priest, composer, singer, choral conductor, and scholar Soghomon Soghomonian, best known simply as Komitas, is credited with founding his country’s modern national musical language during the early 20th century. Though he wrote a large number of songs to be sung, the Seven Songs on this album are for piano solo: short, aphoristic pieces that bring together the folk music of Armenia and a more classical language with a powerful simplicity. The 12 Bartók-like Pieces for Children are a delight. It’s an intoxicating mix that Komitas’ fellow countrywoman, Lusine Grigoryan, delivers with playing that sounds almost improvisatory.