Michael Danna's 'Ararat' suite premieres in Armenia

The Armenian premiere of Michael Danna’s suite from Atom Egoyan’s film Ararat took place at the closing concert of the 5th Penderecki Contemporary Music Festival.

Performed by the Armenian State Symphony Orchestra and the Armenian National Academic Choir under the baton of Sergey Smbatyan, the music blends Armenian sacred hymns and folk melodies, including “Krunk,” “Yeraz” and “Ur es, mayr im", the Symphony Orchestra reports.

The program also featured Georgian composer Giya Kancheli’s Styx, with violist Sarah McElravy as soloist. She described the piece as a lyrical and spiritual journey between life and death, with the viola as a symbolic guide. As an encore, McElravy performed Komitas’ “Shogher Jan".

The concert opened with Three Pieces in Old Style by Polish composer Krzysztof Penderecki. The festival was supported by the Polish Embassy in Armenia and celebrates the legacy of prominent contemporary composers.