Music is universal, but it can help one recognize a nation. It helped Japanese pianist Takahiro Akiba recognize Armenia and the Armenians.

In May, Takahiro Akiba, who won the first prize at a competition devoted to Komitas, gave a concert called “In the Land of Komitas” at Komitas Chamber Music Hall in Yerevan. The concert was held on the sidelines of the events dedicated to the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide and with the support of the RA Ministry of Diaspora.

The concert featured performances by beloved and well-known Armenian opera singer Arax Mansourian, whom Takahiro Akiba owes for discovering Komitas.

Hayern Aysor: How did you meet Arax Mansourian?

Takahiro Akiba: I met Arax Mansourian through music, that is, the music of Komitas.

I listened to the songs of Komitas on the Internet, and I fell in love with them. What captivated me was not only Komitas’s music, but also how Arax Mansourian interprets them.

I wanted to find a way to meet her. I sent her an e-mail, but I didn’t hope a famous person like her would respond. But she responded, and that’s how we started communicating. From the very first day we met, I really wanted her to perform in Japan and to have the Japanese listen to her live performances. In 2014, we organized a beautiful concert with Ambassador of the Republic of Armenia to Japan Hrant Poghosyan. It was a beautiful evening.

We became even closer after the concert.

Hayern Aysor: Arax Mansourian provided you with the opportunity to give a concert in Armenia.

T. A.: Yes, I performed the works of Komitas, Arno Babajanyan, Alexander Harutyunyan and Eduard Mirzoyan during the concert entitled “In the Land of Komitas”. I was very nervous and proud that I had the opportunity to be on the same stage with Arax Mansourian. The people in the audience were people whose presence was not only very pleasant, but also binding. I was so nervous that I had forgotten my musical notes. I hope the Armenian audience appreciated my performances.

Hayern Aysor: Beloved and well-known composer Tigran Mansurian was also in the audience. I know you really wanted to meet him.

T. A.: Arax Mansourian had told me a lot about him, and I had also heard his music. Performing in front of Tigran Mansurian was unexpected.

When I asked him who his favorite composer was, he said: “Komitas, he is my “father” and is directly linked to my music.”

I took pride in the fact that Tigran Mansurian was in the audience, but I was also afraid because I understood that even if one musical note doesn’t sound like the musical note written by Komitas, he would understand. I’m not Armenian and don’t know the language, but when I was performing, I was certain that I understood the melody correctly.

When I met Tigran Mansurian after the concert, he told me he had felt that I was performing spiritually and added that he was very happy and surprised. When he said I performed as an Armenian would, that was the greatest appreciation…I take great pride in hearing such words from a person who has conquered the world with his music.

Hayern Aysor: How were you introduced to Armenian music?

T. A.: I studied in Moscow where I had the chance to become familiar with Armenian music and Armenian composers. The first Armenian composer who made an impression with his melodies was Arno Babajanyan. Later, I listened to the works of other Armenian composers, including Khachaturian, Harutyunyan and Komitas…

This might come as a surprise, but the Armenian melodies seemed so familiar to me from the very first moment.

I enhanced my knowledge of Armenian music thanks to my teacher, Anahit Nersisyan. She played a huge role in my life and revealed many secrets of music and particularly Armenian music. I consider myself a very lucky person who has had the opportunity to meet her. She is my “mother in music”.

Hayern Aysor: What is the color of Armenian music?

T. A.: It is the color of the songs of Komitas. I would describe Armenian music and the Armenians through the music of Komitas. The music of Komitas condenses not only Armenian music, but the Armenians as well. Through his music, one can recognize the happy, sad, strong and beautiful Armenians.

Armenians have mixed feelings. They’re happy, sad and impulsive. One can hear all that in Komitas’s music. All “the colors” depicting an Armenian can be “seen” in his music. By listening to his music, you can “see” not only the pain and suffering of the Armenians, but also their history and feeling of longing. The colors of faith, hope, longing and melancholy are hidden in between the musical notes of Komitas’s songs.

You can recognize the Armenians through Komitas. After recognizing them, it’s impossible not to fall in love with him.

Hayern Aysor: So, you know about Komitas’s music and the land of Komitas…

T. A.: Yes, Armenia is a very beautiful country. It’s as if I’m at home. I can hear music everywhere here. Everything is very close to my heart. Who knows? I might even come and live here someday.

Music has united us, and that connection is eternal.

Hayern Aysor: You also know about Komitas’s “pain”. You have visited the Tsitsernakaberd Armenian Genocide Memorial Complex.

T. A.: You know, no matter how much time goes by, it’s hard to talk about the experiences that one has when visiting the Tsitsernakaberd Armenian Genocide Memorial Complex. Words can’t describe how many emotions, feelings and impressions there are.

Yes, I’m Japanese, but I share this pain. The people who fell victim to the Armenian Genocide 100 years ago were also my relatives.

It’s impossible to forgive that crime. How can one forgive the massacres of innocent people? I’m not a politician. I’m speaking as a person who shares others’ pain. It’s impossible to deny and forgive that crime, regardless of your nationality.

No matter how much Turkey tries to deny it, and even if people forgive, God won’t.

By Lusine Abrahamyan