The Naghash Ensemble’s journey of exile, spirituality, and musical innovation is coming to Toronto for the first time
The Naghash Ensemble of Armenia, led by the visionary Armenian-American composer John Hodian, is a remarkable fusion of ancient and contemporary musical traditions. Renowned for its evocative interpretations of the sacred texts by the 15th-century Armenian mystic poet Mkrtich Naghash, the ensemble seamlessly blends the soulful essence of Armenian folk with the innovative approaches of new classical music, contemporary post-minimalism, and the vibrant energy of jazz and rock. This synthesis is rooted deeply within Armenian cultural heritage while extending its resonance to a global audience.
As it prepares for its much-anticipated Toronto debut on April 4, followed by a performance in Montreal on April 7, the ensemble’s journey celebrates its expanding influence and the universal appeal of its diverse musical palette. Sponsored by the Armenian Prelacy of Canada, The Naghash Ensemble’s upcoming performances at the Armenian Youth Centre Hamazkayin Theatre in Toronto and then in Montreal’s Salle Pierre-Mercure showcase a unique opportunity to experience an evening of musical brilliance, where the ancient texts are reimagined through a modern lens, promising to captivate and inspire.
From New York to Armenia in search of authenticity
Born and raised near Philadelphia, John Hodian has been a composer at heart from an early age. His journey into the world of music eventually led him to New York, where he carved out a living by scoring movies and television shows. Despite finding success in this field, Hodian never truly felt a connection to his commercial work. “There came a point where I decided to halt all commercial projects to focus solely on composing music that was meaningful to me,” he explains. For a considerable period, Hodian found himself adrift, unable to produce anything that felt significant. “It wasn’t until the moment I experienced that captivating voice and stumbled upon Mkrtich Naghash’s poignant poetry that everything changed,” he reflects.
The ‘captivating voice’ was Hasmik Baghdasaryan's, and the setting was the ancient temple of Garni in Armenia. This moment of inspiration, coupled with years of searching for the right text, led Hodian to the poetry of Mkrtich Naghash. The two discoveries reignited his passion for music and laid the groundwork for what would eventually evolve into The Naghash Ensemble.
In the early stages of his Armenian musical exploration, John Hodian took a bold step by sharing a rough recording of his work with Tigran Mansurian, a towering figure in Armenian classical music. “He’s undeniably Armenia’s most noted living composer,” Hodian recalls. “I had met him, and I have a tremendous amount of respect for his work and his thoughts on music.” The response from Mansurian’s camp came a few days later, stirring a mix of apprehension and dread in Hodian. “I heard from his assistant that he wanted to talk to me. I thought, ‘Oh! I must be in some kind of trouble,’” Hodian shared, likening the anticipation to a nerve-wracking summons from a school principal. He feared a reprimand for potentially dishonouring Armenian heritage and misusing the talents of his ensemble members.
However, the actual encounter took an unexpectedly affirming turn. Mansurian, rather than offering a critique, extended a gesture of support that Hodian found profoundly moving. “He put his hand on my shoulder, looked me in the eye, and said: ‘It is the sound of ancient Cilicia reinvented for the 21st century.’” This endorsement, coming from such a respected figure, was a pivotal moment for Hodian. The revered composer’s words have become something of a tagline for the ensemble, gracing its concert posters and other promotional material.
With Naghash’s poignant reflections on exile, Hodian found the perfect vessel for his musical explorations, setting all of Naghash’s surviving 15 poems to music over 12 years. This project has since evolved into a series of albums and performances that have captivated audiences worldwide, from the sacred spaces of Armenia to the prestigious stages of the Paris Philharmonic, Hamburg’s Elbphilharmonie, and New York’s Carnegie Hall.
Hodian reflects on the ensemble’s journey, emphasizing the diversity of its audience and the breadth of its appeal. “Performing with the ensemble is a gift,” Hodian says, explaining that the music, while deeply Armenian in its roots, reaches out to a global audience. The story of The Naghash Ensemble is a narrative of exploration, identity, and the desire to create something that resonates universally: “It wasn’t a conscious decision to spread Armenian culture,” Hodian explains, “but that has become a beautiful aspect of what we’ve achieved.”
Bridging worlds with musical fusion and global appeal
The ensemble’s instrumentation and repertoire reflect a deliberate choice, balancing classical elements with Armenian folk instruments to create a sound that is both innovative and deeply rooted in tradition. Hodian’s background in classical music, and jazz, and his Armenian heritage inform the ensemble’s unique sound. “The music I write for The Naghash Ensemble reflects all of those influences,” Hodian explains, underlining the diverse musical landscape that shapes his work.
The ensemble’s music has found a home among diverse audiences, reflecting its wide-reaching appeal and transcending the Armenian community’s boundaries. The Canadian concerts are a continuation of this journey, with Hodian expressing particular excitement about the Ensemble’s Toronto debut. “I’m thrilled about the upcoming Canadian shows... I’m very grateful for the community and the Prelacy for putting this together,” Hodian states, acknowledging the support and anticipation surrounding their performances in Toronto and Montreal. This tour represents a new chapter for the ensemble and offers a rare opportunity for Canadian audiences to experience their mesmerizing blend of music and spirituality firsthand.
Offstage, John Hodian’s artistic journey doesn’t pause; it delves deeper into music and theatre, continuously seeking new avenues for creative expression. Among the intriguing new projects he hints at, one stands out for its ambition and cultural significance—an Armenian Christmas oratorio. With a vision to introduce a work that could stand shoulder to shoulder with the likes of Handel’s “Messiah” or Bach’s “Christmas Oratorio,” Hodian is pioneering a venture into uncharted territory for Armenian music. “Discussing upcoming projects is something I usually shy away from to avoid disappointment if they don’t come to fruition. However, this oratorio is shaping up to be something special, and I’m genuinely excited about its progress,” Hodian candidly shares.
This initiative is not merely about adding to the repertoire of Armenian music but crafting a new tradition that melds the ancient with the modern. Hodian is collaborating with Vahram Martirosyan, one of Armenia’s most renowned contemporary writers with a deep knowledge of Classical (Grabar) and Middle Armenian, to skillfully weave contemporary and ancient texts. By doing so, he is creating something that promises to be both reverential and revolutionary. “We’re drawing from a rich tapestry of ancient texts, interlacing them with modern narratives to create something that resonates with today’s audience,” Hodian explains. The ensemble has already begun the process of bringing this vision to life, with plans to start recording excerpts in the near future.
Toronto debut: A new chapter in musical exploration
As The Naghash Ensemble gears up for its Toronto debut, the event stands as a dynamic intersection of Armenian cultural heritage and contemporary musical innovation. This performance, set against the backdrop of Toronto’s diverse artistic landscape, offers an evening where the ancient and the modern meet and engage in a dialogue that transcends time and geography. It is an opportunity for audiences to delve into the depths of Armenian poetry, reimagined through John Hodian’s visionary compositions, and connect with the broader narratives of human experience and artistic expression.
With each note and lyric, The Naghash Ensemble invites attendees into a realm where the legacy of Mkrtich Naghash’s poetry is given new life, echoing the themes of exile, spirituality, and the search for identity in a global context. Through this unique musical journey, the ensemble showcases the richness of Armenian culture while highlighting its universal appeal, promising an evening that engages the mind, stirs the soul, and celebrates the ongoing dialogue between tradition and innovation. ֎
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The Armenian Prelacy of Canada presents The Naghash Ensemble’s Toronto debut. The performance is scheduled for Thursday, April 4, 2024, at 7 p.m. at the Armenian Youth Centre Hamzakayin Theatre, with tickets available for $50 each. To purchase tickets, please contact the St. Mary Armenian Apostolic Church at 416-493-8122, Silvana Babikian at 416-930-9886, Keghouhi Bastajian at 416-704-1717, or Arpi Ashkarian (Cambridge) at 519-574-2544. (See ad in comments for details)
*Photo courtesy of The Naghash Ensemble
