Urara Inoe: “I love Komitas, I love Armenia (vuatasiva Komitas ka skides, vuatasiva Armenia ka skides)”

With its warm autumn sun and various kinds of events, Yerevan always opens its arms to friends visiting Armenia with the mission to know Armenia and the Armenians. It seems as though it is exactly during these months of autumn when there are more and more cultural events that bring together creative groups and individual performers from not only Armenia, but also from different countries around the world. One of the performers is Japanese harp player Urara Inoe, whom I met prior to her concert dedicated to the opening of the Embassy of Japan at the Komitas Museum-Institute. I conducted the interview with the help of Urara’s accompanier, violinist Karen Israelyan and Sakura, a kind Japanese translator.

Urara Inoe: I’m Urara, or Ulala Inoe (in our language-Urara and Ulala are both acceptable, but it’s better to call me Urara). I have traveled from Japan to your beautiful country. This is my first visit to Armenia.

Hayern Aysor: Urara, what brought you to Armenia?

U. I.: I’m participating in the “We Sing Komitas” Festival. I am harp player, and I perform Komitas’s songs.

Hayern Aysor: Who introduced you to Komitas and how were you introduced to him?

U. I.: I’m grateful to Karen Israelyan for that, but after I was introduced to Komitas, I went on to examine the life and works of Komitas more and started choosing and performing the works of the brilliant composer.

Hayern Aysor: Urara, tell us which songs of Komitas you perform.

U. I.: I perform the songs “Krunk”, “Kele Tsoler”, “Tsirani Tsar”, “Chinar Es”, “Al Aylukhs” and other songs.

Hayern Aysor: Which of them is your favorite?

U. I.: All of them, but I like “Krunk” the most.

Hayern Aysor: Did you know about Armenia and the Armenians before Karen introduced you to Komitas and your visit to Armenia?

U. I.: I knew about Aram Khachaturian. I knew that Armenia was one of the first cradles of early civilization in the world. Before coming to Armenia, I didn’t know much about the Armenian people, but during my visit, I managed to get to know and grow to love the Armenians. They are very kind, cordial and hospitable. Armenian dishes, fruits and vegetables are very tasty, and Yerevan is very beautiful. I am in a great mood, and of course, it is important for me to be in a great mood during my performances.

Hayern Aysor: Urara, could you tell us a little about the Armenian audience?

U. I.: The Armenian audience is courteous. All my performances have received warm rounds of applause. The Armenians and the Japanese are similar in some way. The Japanese are also kind, but you don’t see that from the outside. As for the Armenians, they are impetuous in all regards, and one can feel their warmth and kindness. The Armenians are very warm-hearted.

Hayern Aysor: Urara, after Komitas, which will be the next Armenian musician or composer whose works you will perform?

U. I. I haven’t decided yet, but Karen will help me choose. Karen Israelyan always accompanies me with his violin. It’s a great collaboration, but I also perform with orchestras. Currently, I haven’t performed Komitas’s songs in any other country besides Japan and Armenia. On November 15, Tokyo will host a festival for harp players, and I’ll also be performing with Karen’s accompaniment.

Hayern Aysor: Have you had the chance to go sightseeing in Armenia in spite of your busy schedule?

U. I.: Yes, we have managed to visit the Cascade Complex and view the panorama of Yerevan from the top. We have also been to the temple in Garni and Geghard Monastery, and I’m very impressed. We’ll be leaving soon, but I definitely want to visit Etchmiadzin. I hope to return to Armenia and visit all the sites and see all the historic and cultural monuments.

Hayern Aysor: Why are your rushing, Urara? Perhaps you stay in Armenia and start a family here. After all, you liked the Armenians a lot…

 (The beautiful Urara and Sakura laugh whole-heartedly, and then Urara responds in a serious tone)

U. I.: I’m not ruling it out. It’s not a bad idea…

Hayern Aysor: When did you start playing the harp? Did your parents lead you in that direction?

U. I.: My parents aren’t musicians, but they love music. Most of our friends are musicians. I started playing at the age of 9. I attended a concert of harp players once, was very impressed and made my decision to play the harp.

Hayern Aysor: Urara, when you speak in Japanese, it sounds very soft, delicate and melodious, and I like listening to the language. What about Armenian? Do you like the language?

U. I.: I obviously don’t understand what you’re saying, but it’s a pleasure to listen to spoken Armenian. It seems very cordial and familiar to me. I’ll definitely learn the language of the Armenian, the language of Komitas during my next visit.

Hayern Aysor: Will you say something to your audience in Japanese and then in Armenian after the concert today?

U.  I.: Yes, vuatasiva Komitas ka skides, vuatasiva Armenia ka skides, which means “I Iove Komitas, I love Armenia”.

Hayern Aysor: Thank you, Urara! I wish you success. I want you to continue to perform the works of Komitas with your harp and with your delicate fingers in different corners of the globe. I also thank our beloved Sakura.

Karen, it’s obvious that this interview wouldn’t have been possible without your participation. So, let’s talk about your activities, better yet, your collaboration. How did you find yourself in Japan? How did you meet Urara?

Karen Israelyan: I graduated from Yerevan Komitas State Conservatory, after which I graduated from the Conservatory of Vienna. I visited Japan on a working visit 6 years ago. I stayed there, got married to a Japanese woman and have a son. I started collaborating with Urara during a concert. I was also performing on that day, and so was Urara. Her performance was indescribably beautiful in the visual sense and in the sense of performance. Generally speaking, I always perform Armenian music during all my concerts. I believe music is great diplomacy. One concert can often be a substitute for many history books and books devoted to diplomacy.  Currently, I teach and am one of the members of the Ilyumin-Art Orchestra of Japan.

Hayern Aysor: As I was listening to Urara play the harp, I suddenly asked myself why Armenians overlook this lyrical instrument. Armenians specialize in the violin or the piano more…

K. I.: You’re right. The harp is a very beautiful classical instrument. I haven’t heard about children in Armenia taking harp lessons or any harp player giving a concert. One of my principles is to come to Armenia with a project that hasn’t been carried out or is carried out in the country. Two years ago, Armenia hosted a Japanese musician who performed Komitas’s songs with a national Japanese instrument. Playing the harp is a very big problem in Armenia. There are orchestras in Armenia that included harp players, better yet, female harp players. We can contribute to the development and dissemination of that instrument.

Hayern Aysor: Were you invited to Armenia?

K. I.: Yes, the RA Ministry of Diaspora invited me to participate in the “We Sing Komitas” Festival, which is part of the “My Armenia” (Im Hayastan) Festival. Japan covered travel expenses, and Urara and I gave performances as a gift to the Homeland.

Hayern Aysor: Thank you, Karen! I wish you a safe trip. I also wish you return to Armenia happily.

Karine Avagyan

 

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