A septet of masterful vocalists and instrumentalists gives renewed voice to Armenia’s spiritual lineage in bracing, emotional, and propulsive work rising on the classical scene.

“A stunning discovery,”(Bayerischer Rundfunk) The Naghash Ensemble combines the earthy spirituality of Armenian folk song, new classical music, and contemporary post-minimalism with the energy of rock and jazz. Three brilliant female vocalists and some of Armenia’s finest instrumentalists on duduk, oud, dhol, and piano play captivating new music based on sacred texts by the medieval Armenian mystic poet and priest, Mkrtich Naghash.

Written by Armenian-American composer John Hodian, The Naghash Ensemble’s “Songs of Exile” is a meditation on man’s relationship to God from the perspective of a monk forced to live in exile for many years. “Part folk music, part classical, and profoundly moving. Unmistakably Armenian, but out of this world” – Armenisch-Deutsche Korrespondenz 

“An enchanting elixir of sounds based on new Armenian folk and centuries-old poetry” — KEXP

“A moment of grace and meditation”— Rolling Stone

US. DEBUT WITH CENTER STAGE in 2023

2023 Program Notes

The Naghash Ensemble

Yerevan, Armenia

“Songs of Exile”

Composed by John Hodian
Texts by Mkrtich Naghash (15th century) and Konstandin Erznkaci (14th century)

John Hodian, composer/pianist
Hasmik Baghdasaryan, soprano
Tatevik Movsesyan, soprano
Arpine Ter-Petrosyan, alto
Harutyun Chkolyan, duduk
Aram Nikoghosyan, oud
Tigran Hovhannisyan, dhol 

The Naghash Ensemble is managed by Wiebke Zollmann

Selections from the song cycle will be announced from the stage.

About The Naghash Ensemble

The Naghash Ensemble combines the earthy spirituality of Armenian folk song, new classical music, and contemporary post-minimalism. The ensemble of three female vocalists and four instrumentalists on duduk, oud, dhol and piano play new music based on sacred texts by the medieval Armenian mystic poet and priest, Mkrtich Naghash and religious poet Konstandin Erznkaci (circa 1250-1320).

Written by Armenian American composer John Hodian, The Naghash Ensemble’s “Songs of Exile” is a profound meditation on man's relationship to God from the perspective of a monk forced to live in exile for many years. Part folk music, part classical and profoundly moving.

“East meets West and antiquity meets modernity in this collection of ruminations, lamentations and incantations. Highly intriguing.”  — NPR

"Composer John Hodian brings the poems of the 15th century Armenian priest Mkrtich Naghash to life. The songs are unmistakably Armenian, but out of this world." — Armenisch-Deutsche Korrespondenz

John Hodian is an Armenian-American composer, conductor, and pianist whose music combines his Armenian roots with classical composition and free improvisation. Born in Philadelphia, Hodian began formal studies in piano and composition at age 13. He received his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in composition and conducting at The Philadelphia College of the Performing Arts where he studied conducting with Max Rudolf and was conductor of the Philadelphia New Music Ensemble. Hodian spent summers at the Naropa Institute in Boulder, Colorado where he studied piano and improvisation with Art Lande and Ralph Towner as well as literature and poetry with Allen Ginsberg and William Burroughs. Between 1990 and 2010 Hodian created over 300 soundtracks for feature films and documentaries winning a New York Emmy Award for “Best Music for a Documentary.” He has created many chamber music works as well as music for theater and dance.

Hasmik Baghdasaryan (soprano). The story of the Naghash Ensemble began with Hasmik Baghdasaryan's voice, when composer John Hodian first heard her singing Armenian medieval spiritual music in the ancient temple of Garni. Hodian was mesmerized by the sound and knew he wanted to compose for this celestial voice and the idea for “Songs of Exile” was born. “It's the most beautiful music I've ever sung,” says Baghdasaryan. “These compositions reach down into the deepest corners of the soul and translate them back out into the world as music.” In addition to her work with the Naghash Ensemble, Baghdasaryan is the lead vocalist in the highly esteemed Luys Vocal Quintet. She has performed and recorded with many of Armenia’s finest ensembles and contemporary composers including The Geghard Monastery choir, The Armenian Chamber Choir and Orchestra, Luys Vocal Quintet, Vahan Artsruni and Alkis Baltas. She also directs the concert series at the Komitas Museum in Yerevan and conducts the Bells Children Choir of Armenia.

Tatevik Movsesyan (soprano), has won international acclaim for her outstanding performances of opera and chamber music. In high demand as one of Armenia’s primary interpreters of contemporary music, Movsesyan has performed and recorded music by many notable contemporary Armenian composers including Artur Avanesov, Artur Akshelyan, Gevorg Badalyan, Jirair Shahrimanyan, Lianna Malhasyan, Hovik Sardaryan and Aram Hovhanisyan. She has performed the complete song cycles of Tigran Mansurian and also sang the premiere of his “Canti paralleli” in Gyumri. Tatevik is a graduate of the State Komitas Conservatory Yerevan, and in 2012 she won the international singing competition “Rustem Yakhin” in Tatarstan. Since 2014, Movsesyan has been teaching master classes in singing in the provinces of Armenia for the non-profit organization “Atken Armenian Foundation.”

Arpine Ter-Petrosyan (alto),  possesses what is perhaps the deepest female voice in all of Armenia. She graduated from the State Educational Khachatur Abovyan University in Armenia. Her astounding vocal range allows for the creation of what sound like “bass” parts for the female Naghash Ensemble vocalists. A multi-faceted vocalist, Arpine is a member of Geghard Choir, The National Opera Theater of Armenia and The Armenian National State Academic Choir. As a jazz singer, she is known as Arpi Alto.

Harutyun Chkolyan (duduk) is a multi-instrumentalist specializing in Armenian folk wind instruments such as the duduk, zurna, shvi, pku, in addition to the clarinet and ney flute. He is a graduate of the Komitas State Conservatory of Yerevan, where he studied under renowned duduk master Gevorg Dabaghyan. Considered a musical prodigy, he initially began his studies on the shvi at the age of six.

Aram Nikoghosyan (oud), has been playing oud since he was six years old. As a teenager, he won many national competitions and had been awarded several times by the Armenian Ministry of Culture. Nikoghosyan completed his education at Rumanos Meliqyan College of Music and later attended the State Komitas Conservatory Yerevan. At the same time, he began touring internationally with the Berd Dance Group. Since 2010 he has performed with The National Folk Instrument Ensemble, The Gurdjieff Ensemble, Sheram Ensemble and The Folk Music Ensemble of Armenian State Television.

Tigran Hovhannisyan (dhol). As a recognized master of both dhol and dumbek, Tigran Hovhannisyan has traveled internationally with a wide range of ensembles. In addition to his work with The Naghash Ensemble, Hovhannisyan performs with the Armenian National Orchestra, The National Folk Music Ensemble, Sheram Ensemble, and Gata Band. He received his education from 1990-1998 as a prize-winning student at the Hendrik Igityan Music School for Folk Instruments and from 1998 at the Rumanos Meliqyan Music Academy. Hovhannisyan is also highly sought after as a master teacher of percussion instruments.

For more information about the Naghash Ensemble visit https://www.naghashensemble.com/

Producer: New England Foundation for the Arts
Adrienne Petrillo, Meghan Kuschner

General Manager: Lisa Booth Management, Inc.
Deirdre Valente, Lisa Booth

Production Manager: Robert W. Henderson, Jr.
Tour Advance: Aketzali Vazquez
Company Manager: Theresa Teague