An Ancient Observer Tigran Hamasyan

• 1Markos and Markos05:38
• 2The Cave of Rebirth05:39
• 3New Baroque 101:50
• 4Nairian Odyssey11:00
• 5New Baroque 201:36
• 6Etude No. 102:08
• 7Egyptian Poet02:20
• 8Fides Tua04:51
• 9Leninagone03:56
• 10Ancient Observer05:57
• Total Runtime44:55

Info for An Ancient Observer

Nonesuch Records releases its second album from pianist Tigran Hamasyan, „An Ancient Observer“, on March 31, 2017. „An Ancient Observer“ is the follow-up to Hamasyan's label debut, „Mockroot“, of which the Guardian said, "A phenomenal piano player, an irrepressible entertainer, a promising experimenter with hi-tech gizmology and a creative world-music composer. Mockroot plays vivaciously to all those strengths." The musician says of his new solo recording, which features ten new compositions: "These songs are musical observations about the world we live in now, and the weight of history we carry with us." Hamasyan will tour the US in February and March, then Europe in the spring; see below for the currently announced dates.

An Ancient Observer's songs—two of which are based on Armenian melodies—were written over the last four years. Some of the pieces are through-composed and completely written out, while others are composed with ample space for Hamasyan to improvise. Many include vocals layered into the mix. As with most of his compositions, Hamasyan cites a wide range of influences, from Baroque dance to hip-hop, with pedals connected to a synthesizer on a few tracks—while the sounds of his native country also are present, as always.

Hamasyan has returned to Armenia, where his daily life inspired these new pieces: "I gaze out of my window and see the biblical mountain Ararat with perpetual snow on its peak, with electrical towers with wires in the foreground cutting the picture, and satellite dishes melted onto old and modern houses—ancestral smoke coming out of their chimneys—and birds hovering above the trees along with occasional airplane trails in the vast sky. It is a dialogue, this interaction of God-given ancient nature with our modern human achievements," he says. "For me it is an awakening, and a beautiful feeling, to be able to observe the magnificence of this sleeping volcanic giant, which has existed for millions of years and was observed by the Ararat Valley Koura-Arax culture through to the present day citizens of the Armenian republic. I can see and observe the same birds, animals, rivers, and mountains that the craftsman of 4,000 years ago painted on a clay vessel. He was observing the same thing I observe now, and what remains is his or her beautiful work of art."

Tigran Hamasyan, piano

Tigran Hamasyan
is a young musician born 1987 in Armenia. In 2003, Tigran moved with his family to Los Angeles, California. He began playing piano at the age of 3. Since the age of 13, he has played in European festivals. His reputation has steadily grown with every performance.

He has won prestigious piano competitions, most notably, the 2006 Thelonious Monk jazz piano competition under supervision of Herbie Hancock. He has earned serious recognition with 4 albums and hundreds of concerts all around the world (Montreux, Montreal, North Sea, Juan Les Pins, Marciac, London Jazz Festival, Winter Festival in NY). Recently, Tigran was named the winner of the 2013 Vilcek Prize for Creative Promise in Contemporary Music.

“A-may-zing! Now, Tigran, you are my teacher”- Herbie Hancock, on stage Festival Orleans Jazz

“A mature and great and rich and deep artist“ – Chick Corea, August 2011

“He plays piano like a raga, the next Keith Jarrett“ – Trilok Gurtu, Theatre Du Chatelet March 2011

“Tigran really grabbed me, in this really cool way“ - Brad Mehldau, NY Times 2011

His first album for Universal, recorded in Paris on solo piano, “A Fable”, was released in 2011. It sold impressively for an instrumental album with 30,000 units. It received acclaim throughout including winning a French Grammy award in 2011. Tigran’s rising stature in music garners notice globally wherever he has been able to be heard.

“Where so much contemporary jazz can be a dreary display of muscle memory, Tigran has found a way to keep improvisation fresh and lyrical. Other jazz musicians would be wise to take note.” – The Guardian

“Tigran stands out for his burning intensity” – The Telegraph

”Loving the Tigran album on Verve – a big talent…” – Gilles Peterson, live session

“With a firm yet delicate touch, Tigran lets the melody sing” – NPR

“Brilliant musician” – Later with Jools Holland

“His touch is sublime” – Downbeat

Tigran’s unique profile displays dazzling piano dexterity with an undeniably profound sense of composition. He’s equally at ease with jazz, classical music, Armenian popular repertoire, rock, heavy metal, or avant-garde.

His new album “Shadow Theater”, recorded with his band, is due to be released Fall 2013. It exhibits continued growth as an original artist. It is fueled by his passion, atmospheric punk jazz improvisations fused with the rich folkloric music of his native Armenia. “Shadow Theater” is a fresh, inspiring sound that combines many colorful elements, capturing the listener into a musical journey.

Tigran is preparing a band tour for Fall of 2013 and targeting a worldwide release date for the album in early September. The first single will be released in late March. A music video of the single from the new album along with remixes by Prefuse73, LV and Arthur Hnatek to follow.

Booklet for An Ancient Observer