KOHAR Symphony Orchestra and Choir has been charming Armenian audiences in Armenia and abroad for the past 20 years.

Throughout its existence, the ensemble has given concert tours for the Armenian communities of different countries, including Lebanon, Cyprus, the Russian Federation, Sirins, Turkey, the USA, Canada and South America. After a break, KOHAR has started carrying out its important mission to disseminate Armenian songs once again.

Hayern Aysor’s correspondent discussed the ensemble’s awakening with principal conductor of KOHAR Symphony Orchestra and Choir Natalie Galstyan.

Hayern Aysor: Natalie, how has your career been?

Natalie Galstyan: One truly needs to take a long path in order to become the head of a symphony ensemble. Generally speaking, I have been searching for 20 years, and I still continue to reveal new things.

I received my primary education as a student of the piano class at Avet Gabrielyan Music School of Yerevan, after which I continued my studies at Romanos Melikyan Music School of Yerevan and graduated as a musicologist-theorist. In 1999, I graduated from the Department of Choir Directing of Yerevan Komitas State Conservatory and was a student of Professor Rafael Mangasaryan and Sona Hovhannisyan. In 2001, I graduated from the PhD program under the supervision of Professor David Ghazaryan.

Afterwards, I was appointed general choirmaster of the Aram Ter-Hovhannisyan Choir of the Musical Society of Armenia.

Continuing my studies, in 2007, I graduated from the Department of Opera-Symphony Conducting of Yerevan Komitas State Conservatory and was a student of Professor Aram Gharabekian. In 2008, I performed with the National Chamber Orchestra of Armenia as a conductor. Between 2009 and 2011, I was a lecturer of the Department of Opera Preparation of Yerevan Komitas State Conservatory.

I had an invaluable connection with the late composer Eduard Mirzoyan. I always remember his wishes and words of advice and feel the drive to create again and again.

For years, I would dream of creating my own orchestra. It wasn’t an end in itself. I had the idea and the desire to move forward. I followed my dream, and in 2009, I founded the DOMINATUS vox orchestra and was the artistic director and principal conductor of that orchestra. Now, without a doubt, I would like to mention that the orchestra was unique with its musical concept and special tembral sound (“instruments that sing, voices that play”).

I have also founded the ARCUS-CANTUS children’s orchestra/choir.

I truly consider myself a happy person who has been taught by great people who have their special place in Armenian music today.

Hayern Aysor: What was your mission with KOHAR? How did you become a part of the orchestra and choir?

N. G.: Of course, I knew about KOHAR for a long time. I have followed the glorious career for the past 20 years. I received the offer to work for KOHAR from the ensemble’s artistic director Grigor Kuzikya in 2012. He knew me since childhood. He also knew about my career and my working style.

In the beginning, I was an assistant to the late artistic director and principal conductor Sepuh Abgarian, and in 2015, I was appointed the principal conductor of KOHAR. It was a great honor for me to work with the maestro. He was a noble man and a great artist who taught me many things.

Hayern Aysor: Wasn’t becoming the principal conductor after Sepuh Abgarian a responsible step? How was it that you were selected?

N. G.: Everything went so smoothly! Two years were enough for me to create a familiar environment. I had no problems with communicating with the members. We trusted each other. Of course, the “familiar” atmosphere has existed since the creation of KOHAR. It’s easy and more than a pleasure to work with the musicians from Gyumri because of their unique talent and humor.

Hayern Aysor: What do you think a director and conductor needs to be gifted with in order to be the head of the KOHAR Symphony Choir and Orchestra?

N. G.: The major condition is to be inspired by the idea and music that you need to start disseminating. The important thing is to have the posture to consolidate, not to subject.

It is also important to be sincere, as well as love and respect the job and especially people. If you can listen to a member of the personnel, then you will succeed in communicating with them. You need to have supporters and people who appreciate teamwork. If these factors exist, everything will be easy. This concerns not only leaders, but everyone without any distinction.

Hayern Aysor: It is interesting to know what words of advice the maestro gave you that you still remember and follow?

N. G.: I will have trouble setting any one of them aside. All of our conversations were instructive and meaningful.

We would mainly talk about Armenian music. He would express his concerns about the problems in the field and would try to seek paths to solve those problems.

During our last meeting, he told me that he was at ease because the orchestra was in good hands. I always remember his precious words that are very binding.

Hayern Aysor: Natalie, what is your vision for KOHAR?

N. G.: I want us to continue our efforts and move forward.

My vision is to see pure Armenian music preserved and transmitted from one generation to the next. My biggest goal is to keep Armenian music away from foreign influences.

The Khachaturian family has been the pioneer with this idea for the past 20 years now.

Hayern Aysor: I have noticed that the presses refer to you as the “queen” of KOHAR. Why do you have that “title”?

N. G.: (Laughs-ed.) I try to look at such “titles” with humor, though they are touching and motivating. In reality, KOHAR has a queen, in whose name we Armenians had a small kingdom. There is solidarity and harmony within KOHAR, thanks to great Armenian and devoted benefactor Harut Khachaturian and his supporters, the loyal, consistent and meticulous leaders, including Sevag Serobian, Saro Serobian, Krikor Kuzikian, Arzuman Hovhannisian, Susan Mikayelian, as well as all the “soldiers” who are unified and unconditionally serve for the arts. I feel strong and proud with the KOHAR family.

Hayern Aysor: After a long interval, it is safe to say that KOHAR rose and began to soar from Beirut. Tell us about your concert tour in Lebanon.

N. G.: Those who have loved and followed us can rejoice again. Yes, there were views that KOHAR was reborn in Beirut, and it was logical. Generally speaking, I have always admired the love and admiration that the Armenians of Lebanon have for Armenian culture.

From October 29 to November 1, KOHAR gave four brilliant concerts at the Forum De Beyrouth Hall of Beirut with the title “A Hundred Years, A Hundred Songs”. The concert tour was organized on the occasion of the 100^th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, and we had chosen 100 songs to perform.

We performed old and new Armenian national, patriotic, as well as folk and military songs. We left with a large team, including 150 members of the orchestra, choir and dance ensemble, 16 soloists and other members. As always, KOHAR had rehearsed for the concerts with great excitement.

There were super lighting and color effects and animations on LED screens provided by Ashot Arakelyan’s DOMINO Company during all the performances. The concerts were truly unprecedented. I can’t find the words to share my impressions.

Besides being a choirmaster, once again, I felt proud to be Armenian during the concerts. When we were performing the patriotic songs, I was constantly remembering my son serving in a bordering region of Armenia, and I couldn’t hold back my emotions.

It is very important to consolidate all Armenians with such concerts and let the world know that we Armenians have an identity and national dignity.

Hayern Aysor: What changes and innovations have been made in general?

N. G.: There have been certain changes. Change is commendable, be it in terms of additions or adaptations of lists of songs.

It is simply necessary for such an ensemble, under the condition of not violating traditions. It is natural because you always have to make the audience pleasantly surprised.

Interview by Gevorg Chichyan

Photos from Facebook page