Isabel Bayrakdarian – Joyous Light (Armenian Anonymous) [2002]

1. Where are you Mother?
2. You are a profound mystery
3. Trisagion
4. We celebrate
5. Chosen of God
6. Joyous Light
7. My heart trembles
8. Lord have Mercy
9. When you enter
10. The Fowl
11. The Mother of the Lord
12. Open for us, Lord
13. Be Delighted, O holy church
14. Rejoice, O holy church
15. You are the only Holy
16. Doxology
17. O Gardener
18. The Lord's prayer

Elmer Iseler Chamber Orchestra
Raffi Armenian - conductor

This is a stunning recording. Isabel Bayrakdarian's voice is a wonderful clear soprano, rich and warm throughout its range and free of any roughness. Her long familiarity with this repertoire lets her shape each phrase beautifully and, apparently, effortlessly. The disk derives from a concert that took place in Toronto in September, 2001 commemorating 1700 years of Christianity in Armenia. It consists of 18 pieces of liturgical music. In some Bayrakdarian sings a capella, but in most she is supported by a chamber orchestra. One is aware that this is not western music, but the modes in which it is written are just unusual enough to European ears to be a little exotic while remaining entirely accessible. It's not quite melodic, but not quite chant either. Bayrakdarian's melismas are always sensitive and subtle. The whole effect is soaring, haunting, ethereal, transporting, utterly wonderful.

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