Kradjian’s long overdue return to the Yerevan stage

The multitalented Toronto-Armenian Serouj Kradjian return to the Yerevan stage was 16 years in the making—but most in attendance on Dec. 11 would say it was worth the wait. On Sunday, Kradjian and a group of local musicians (Rey De Reyes Tigran, Flamenco guitar; Aram Asatryan, violin; Yeva Gevorgyan, double bass; and Aram Galstyan; percussion/trumpet) wowed the sold-out crowd at the historic Aram Khachaturian concert hall with a near-two-hour show—an eclectic set of original compositions and new takes on classics from around the world.

The show, entitled «Սէր եւ ուժ» (“Love and Strength”), was initially slated for September but postponed due to Azerbaijan’s unprovoked attack on Armenia. It opened on a high note with the magnificently strange “Dancing with Madness” and kept up the energy with the diverse songs—including Flamenco, Tango, and new takes on Armenian compositions—that followed.

Throughout the night, the Grammy-nominated and Juno-winning pianist and composer had several heartfelt (and sometimes playful) engagements with the crowd; he told the audience about everything from getting his start on the family piano in the middle of the Lebanese Civil War at age four to finding strength in the people of Armenia and Artsakh. During the show, Kradjian debuted an original composition dedicated to his friend, fellow Toronto-Armenian Kristapor Artin and all the fallen heroes of the 2020 Artsakh War. The emotionally charged “Loss and Resilience” («Կորուստ եւ պայքար») was raw and full of passion.

Other highlights included two popular Charles Aznavour songs, a guest performance by Adana Project’s Mane Tonoyan on a Robert Amirkhanian classic, and Kradjian’s take on “what it would sound like if Vivaldi ate ghapama.”

After so much time away from the Yerevan stage, Kradjian was definitely missed. Luckily, he and his accompanying musicians rose to the occasion. The audience’s thunderous claps that followed their last song (which prompted two encore performances) also carried the message: “Next time, don’t take too long to return.”

We’re glad to hear that Kradjian plans to tour the show soon, hopefully with a stop in his hometown of Toronto.