American-Armenian composer John Hodian joined forces with Armenian librettist Vahram Martirosyan to create “Light The Candle,” a contemporary Armenian Christmas Oratorio with its roots in millennia-old Armenian literature.
For over two millennia, the story of Christ's birth has been woven into the very fabric of Armenian identity. Christianity has been one of the defining characteristics of Armenian culture, and Armenia was the first country to adopt Christianity as the official state religion in 301 AD. Over the centuries, many Armenian poets have written beautiful lyric celebrations on the annunciation, nativity, and theophany. However, over two millennia of foreign rule, much of the musical heritage around this topic was suppressed, persecuted, and finally lost. Today, there is a traditional Armenian Christmas mass and a few carols that are still sung, but there's no large-scale musical work that celebrates the coming of Christ along the lines of Handel’s “The Messiah” or Bach’s Christmas Oratorio”. In light of how important Christianity is to the Armenian people, composer John Hodian thought it only fitting that there be a large-scale musical work in Armenian commemorating the birth of Christ and its importance to the Armenian people.
With this brand new work, The Naghash Ensemble’s composer John Hodian builds a unique bridge between ancient tradition and the present. Inspired by Armenian poetry from the Middle Ages and the modern era, Hodian creates fascinating new music that reflects the spiritual depth of the world's oldest Christian country. “Light the Candle” is an evening-length work that sheds new light on the mystical power of the Armenian Christmas.
Eschewing a traditional narrative on the birth of Christ, the libretto taps into multiple historical periods of Armenian Christian literature, each portraying a different aspect of the life of Christ and his lasting influence on mankind. With poems dating as far back as the 5th century and going up to the present day, including several recent poems by one of Armenia’s most noted living writers, Vahram Martirosyan. Also featured prominently is the work of Sahakdukht, Armenia’s first known woman of Armenian literature and one of the earliest Armenian women composers in history.
Though the texts span multiple centuries, from the 5th century to the present day, they are brought together by new and startlingly fresh music. Like much of The Naghash Ensemble’s work, the music is at once ancient and modern while not adhering to any particular musical style or genre. The music is both timeless and otherworldly while still being instantly relatable.
“Sublime music between pride and beauty, sorrow and hope” — Hamburger Abendblatt
“The spiritual beauty of the music provokes a mix of joy and ecstasy” — J-P Brossard, Les Trans Musicales
“A stunning new discovery” — BR Klassik
Music by John Hodian
Texts by Movses Khorenatsi (5th century), Sahakdukht Syunetsi (8th century), Grigor Narekatsi (10th century), Catholicos Grigor III Pahlavuni (12th century), Nerses Shnorali (12th century), Hovhannes Erznkatsi (13th century), Komitas (20th century), Vahram Martirosyan (born 1957), et al.
The Naghash Ensemble of Armenia is …
Hasmik Baghdasaryan • soprano
Tatevik Movsesyan • soprano
Shahane Zalyan • alto
Harutyun Chkolyan • duduk, shvi
Tigran Hovhannisyan • dhol, dumbek, daf
Aram Nikoghosyan • oud
John Hodian • piano
Although there are no final recordings of this project, which is still in development, you can listen to the following excerpts created during the rehearsal process:
“Holy Nativity,” based on poetry by Vahram Martirosyan, with new music by John Hodian.
“The Great and Magnificent,” based on poetry by Movses Khorenatsi (5th century), with new music by John Hodian.
“The Voice of the Father,” based on poetry by Hovhannes Erznkatsi (13th century),
with new music by John Hodian.
“Hallelujah!” based on words by Komitas, with new music by John Hodian.
The Naghash Ensemble will be on tour in Europe in December 2025.
For booking requests:
Wiebke Zollmann
+49 156 7963 0063
+1 845 217 4306
