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The Sanahin Chapter of Hamazkayin, Armenian General Benevolent Union, and the Cultural Association of the Armenians from Istanbul, hosted an evening to honor of pianist, conductor, and educator Raffi Armenian on Sunday, November 22, 2009, at the School of Music and Theater Art in Montreal, Quebec. The event recognized Raffi Armenian’s contributions to the development of music both on Canadian and international levels.
Attending the event were Mr. Kevin Cogland, the representative of the Minister of Culture and Communciations in Quebec, Mrs. Christine St-Pierre, Mr. and Mrs. Arden and Christine Dervishians, the presidents of the evening, His Eminency Archbishop Souren Kataroian, who represented Archbishop Khajag Hagopian, the Prelate of the Cilician diocese of the Armenian Church in Canada, Father Vazken Boyajian, who represented Archbishop Pakrad Kalsdanian, the Prelate of the Armenian Diocese in Canada, Haroutioun Shitilian, member of the City Hall of the Ahuntsic-Cartierville district of Montreal, Nicolas Desjardins, the General Director of the School of Music and Theater Art in Quebec, as well as Mr. Armenian’s friends, and numerous art lovers.
Mrs. Katya Setian emceed the evening. In her speech, she praised Raffi Armenian’s significance in the sphere of art, as well as emphasized his merits as a human being, such as his modesty and his friendliness. Afterward, the Minister’s speech, as a sponsor of the event, was presented on a screen, after which conductor Raffi Armenian staged an impressive performance by conducting an orchestra of seven of his students. They played sections from “L’Histoire du soldat,” by Igor Stravinski.
Throughout the event, accounts on the merits of Raffi Armenian were presented by soprano Alin Kutan, who is of Armenian origin, Arthur Kaptainis, member of the editorial staff of The Gazette Daily and critic of classical music, as well as Mr. Armenian’s students, famous conductors and teachers Veronique Lacroix and Stephan Laforest and Ani Armenian, Mr. Armenian’s niece. Also, Claude Gingras, the music critic of Le Presse Daily and Ken Seiling, the chairperson of the Regional Mayoral Council, expressed their words of appreciation in writing. All highly praised Mr. Armenian’s contributions to the world of art, as well as praised his human values, modesty, and his worth as a talented and a proficient educator, musician, and conductor.
During the event, a documentary titled “The path of a musician,” prepared for this event, was screened. The film featured the primary stages of Mr. Armenian’s life, starting from his first steps into the world of music in an art loving family, as a result of which at the age of 15 he had performed with the Symphonic Orchestra of Cairo thanks to the encouragement of the Mkhitarian fathers. Later on, he traveled to Vienna, where he would master music, under the schooling of prominent teachers and would graduate as a pianist in 1962. And thus, his life goes on until today, when he would accept the post of the director of the Music School of Quebec in Montreal. The witness accounts of conductor Agnes Grosman, Mr. Armenian’s wife, presented in the film, were also interesting.
During the art program, Van Armenian (Mr. Armenian’s nephew) played Gomidas’ “Groung” on the violin, which Mr. Armenian arranged. Patil Harboian performed on the piano the “Yerk-poem” by Aram Khachatourian, and Nareg Ghazarian recited “Louis,” by Taniel Varoujan.
The event organizers presented a keepsake to Mr. Armenian -- his very own portrait created by famous sculptor Arto Chakmakjian from Montreal.
Afterward Archbishop Souren Kataroian read the official letter from His Holliness Aram Catholicos, in which he congratulated Mr. Armenian on his achievements and awarded him with the honor of St. Mesrob Mashdots which is granted by the Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia to those who play an important role in culture.
Finally, Mr. Armenian expressed his heartfelt words and thanked the organizing associations, as well as Mr. and Mrs. Dervishians. He said that he was very much touched and highlighted the importance of the nation and religion in his life and stating that the Armenian nation is still suffering and this fact impacts him greatly.
A reception took place at the end of the event.
Houry Vosgerichian
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