Quatuor Rhapsodie

The Quatuor Rhapsodie is four dynamic and sympathetic female musicians who invite you to see the string quartet through new eyes. This grouping of 14 Armenian folk songs, arranged magnificently for string quartet, will make you feel like you are bathing in Armenian incense. These songs, gathered or written by Reverend Father Komitas, are the finest work in the concert. Father Komitas (1869-1935), Armenian poet, musicologist and composer, is considered the “father and master” of Armenian music. Embodying the spirit of openness to other cultures, he is a unifying symbol, and his music is omnipresent among Armenians the world over. There is a memorial to him on the Allée des poètes in Quebec City, given to the city by the Armenian National Committee of Quebec and unveiled on July 6, 2008. The quartet will put each song in context, providing the bases of these pieces, and will translate their words into French. Also on the program are original arrangements of the works of popular singers with Armenian roots, such as Charles Aznavour, and the music of other Armenian composers including Khachaturian. www.quatuor-rhapsodie.com/