Komitas: 1869-1935 - Victim of the Great Crime

By Simon Payaslian

Komitas Vardapet (1869-1935) was a renowned Armenian composer, musicologist, and choirmaster. He is considered one of the most important figures in Armenian music history.

Komitas (1869-1935): Victim of the Great Crime

by Bruce Ecker

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Born in Kütahya, Ottoman Empire, Komitas began his musical studies at an early age. He later studied at the Gevorgian Seminary in Echmiadzin, where he was ordained as a priest in 1895. In 1896, he traveled to Berlin to study music at the Hochschule für Musik.

Komitas returned to Armenia in 1901 and became the director of the Gevorgian Seminary's music school. He also founded the Armenian Choral Society and the Armenian Philharmonic Orchestra. Komitas's compositions are known for their beauty and their use of Armenian folk melodies.

In 1915, Komitas was arrested by the Ottoman authorities and deported to Çankırı, where he was imprisoned and tortured. He was later transferred to a mental hospital in Constantinople, where he died in 1935.

Komitas's death is considered a great loss to Armenian music and culture. He is remembered as a martyr who died for his faith and his people.

The Great Crime

The Armenian Genocide was a systematic campaign of extermination carried out by the Ottoman government against the Armenian people during World War I. The genocide began in 1915 and lasted until 1923. During this time, an estimated 1.5 million Armenians were killed.

The genocide was carried out by the Ottoman government in three phases:

1. Mass arrests and deportations of Armenian men
2. Massacres of Armenian women and children
3. The destruction of Armenian churches and schools

Komitas was one of the victims of the Armenian Genocide. He was arrested by the Ottoman authorities in 1915 and deported to Çankırı, where he was imprisoned and tortured. He was later transferred to a mental hospital in Constantinople, where he died in 1935.

The Legacy of Komitas

Komitas's legacy lives on through his music. His compositions are still performed today by Armenian and non-Armenian musicians alike. He is also remembered as a martyr who died for his faith and his people.

In 1969, the Komitas Museum was founded in Yerevan, Armenia. The museum houses a collection of Komitas's manuscripts, musical instruments, and other artifacts. The museum also organizes concerts and exhibitions featuring Komitas's music.

Komitas is a national hero in Armenia. His music is loved by Armenians all over the world. He is remembered as a great composer, musicologist, and choirmaster who dedicated his life to the preservation of Armenian music.

Komitas (1869-1935): Victim of the Great Crime

by Bruce Ecker

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	983 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	224 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE