
Fr. Daniel Findikyan, Dean and Associate Professor of Liturgical Studies, will open the Seminary's Spring Lecture series with a talk entitled, Our Strength and Our Song: Armenian Sacred Music Yesterday and Today.
The lecture will take place at the Seminary on Monday, January 22 at 7:30PM and is open to the public.
"The religious music of our Armenian Church is not only an inspiration to our people," said Fr. Findikyan. "It is attacting the attention of many scholars and musicians throughout the world, both Armenians and non-Armenians alike. In my lecture I will introduce some of the unique features of our sacred music tradition, from the perspective of one who has studied the music itself, as well as the worship services for which it was composed."
Lecture Concerts
Four lectures on Armenian Sacred Music by distniguished speakers and musicians will follow throughout the Spring semester. World-renowned musicologist Dr. Peter Jeffery will look at the musical theory underlying Armenian chant, comparing it to Syrian, Georgian, Ethiopian and Gregorian chants and revealing some surprising connections. In a case study of musical analysis and interpretation, Krikor Pidejian will expose the riches of one of the masterpieces of the ArmenianSharaknots (Hymnal) as one who has devoted his life to the study and performance of the genre.
As the culmination of the series, two Armenian deacons and virtuosi, Varoujan Margaryan and Rubik Mailian, will explore the origins and perpetuation of the Armenian sacred musical art, bountifully illustrating their presentations in song.
In Memory of Edward Essayan
The 2007 Spring Lecture Series is dedicated in memory of Mr. Edward Essayan, who passed away on November 3, 2006. He and his wife Anita are dear friends of St. Nersess and devotees of its mission and educational work. A generous donation has been made by his family to sponsor this Spring's Lecture Series and to establish the Edward and Anita Essayan Educational Fund, whose proceeds will support future lectures by distinguished speakers at the Seminary.
Lectures are free and open to the public. For driving directions and other information, contact the Seminary at info@stnersess.edu or by telephone: (914) 636-2003.
Schedule of Lectures
Monday, January 22, 2007
Annual Abp. Tiran Nersoyan Memorial Lecture
Our Strength and Our Song: Armenian Sacred Music Yesterday and Today
V. Rev. Dr. Daniel Findikyan
Dean and Associate Professor of Liturgical Studies
St. Nersess Armenian Seminary
Monday, February 19, 2007
The Theory of the Eight Musical Modes in the Armenian and Other Chant Traditions
Dr. Peter Jeffery
Scheide Professor of Music History
Princeton University
Monday, March 19, 2007
The Hymn Antsink Nviryalk for St. Hripsime
Mr. Krikor Pidejian
Armenian Musicologist
Monday, April 16, 2007
Singing and Teaching Armenian Sacred Music
Deacon Varoujan Margaryan
Director of Music
St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Cathedral
Montreal, Quebec Canada
Monday, April 30, 2007
The Earliest Period of Armenian Sacred Music
Deacon Rubik Mailian
Director of Music
St. John Armenian Church, Southfield, MI