Eastern Lights

Christmas Concert

Featuring Abeer Albatal and Levon Abajian Visuals by Kevork Mourad

Date: December 1st 2023
Time: 8 pm
Venue: Lokhorstkerk, Pieterskerkstraat 1, 2311 SV Leiden

Join us for an extraordinary Christmas concert, a celebration of Eastern traditions, where the enchanting melodies of classical Arabic, Byzantine, Syriac, Maronite, Chaldean, Assyrian, and Armenian music come together in a magical performance.

Featured Artists:

Abeer Albatal: Embark on a musical journey with Abeer Albatal, a maestro in classical Arabic music. After graduating from the Higher Institute of Music in Damascus in 2016, Albatal has showcased a rich repertoire of classical and traditional music from Syria and the broader Arab and Eastern world. Her mesmerizing performances have graced esteemed stages such as the Morgenland Festival in Germany and the Arab Film Festival in the Netherlands. Collaborating with choirs and orchestras in Syria and Lebanon, she has also taken on lead roles in various television series. Immerse yourself in the enchanting melodies of Abeer Albatal on her YouTube channel.

https://www.youtube.com/@AbeerAlBatal

Levon Abajian: Experience the artistry of Levon Abadjian, the official cantor of St. Joseph Church, drummer, and head of the Patriarchal School for Byzantine music in the Diocese of Damascus and its Melkite Catholic dependencies. Abadjian, a graduate of the Higher Institute of Music, specializes in oriental singing and has shared his talents in solo performances in Jordan and Russia. He has also participated in group performances with choirs such as the Narigatsi Choir (Aleppo), the Arab Philharmonic Choir (Dubai), and the National Music Ensemble Choir (Damascus). Abadjian's individual evenings have resonated across several Syrian governorates.

Visual Artist: Kevork Mourad: Born in Qamishli, Syria, Kevork Mourad now lives and works in New York City. His unique technique of live drawing and animation, in collaboration with musicians like Yo-Yo Ma and Kim Kashkashian, creates a harmonious blend of art and music. Mourad's work has been featured in prestigious institutions worldwide, including Carnegie Hall, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the ElbPhilharmonie in Germany.

https://www.kevorkmourad.com/

Background:

Syria is characterized by its richness, cultural diversity, and civilization spanning hundreds and thousands of years, particularly in Christian ecclesiastical heritage. Syria has been a meeting place for various civilizations, especially those traveling to the Holy Land.

The church heritage, especially church music in Syria, is one of the oldest, most ancient, and most diverse rituals globally. Antioch, the first Christian center in the region, played a crucial role in the development of Christian traditions. Throughout history, patriarchates were established as institutions of monasteries, monks, and saints who became important organizers of praise, and worship, and writers of numerous hymns.

Performers of hymns in the region wrote prayers in languages spoken at the time, including Syriac, from which the Syriac and Maronite rites emerged. In Mesopotamia, the East Syriac language spread with its Chaldean, Assyrian, and Assyrian dialects in the "Assyrian Church of the East," "Chaldean Church," and "Eastern Church."

The Syriac language, spoken by the people, influenced the hymns of various churches. The Byzantine rule brought the Greek language to prominence, influencing the Melkite Church to write hymns in Greek. Saint John of Damascus composed melodies in the Byzantine rite, contributing to what can be considered Syrian Byzantine music.

Armenian civilization had a significant presence in the region. Armenians made pilgrimages to Jerusalem, passing through Syria. The Armenians built resting points, such as "Hokedoun" in Aleppo, and established the Cathedral of the Forty Martyrs in the sixth century. The Kingdom of Cilicia appeared in northern Syria until the Ottoman occupation, leading to the establishment of Armenian churches, schools, and institutions in Syria.

The concert aims to spread and revive this rich heritage, showcasing the musical traditions that have developed over centuries in Syria.

Explore the synergy of art and music with Kevork Mourad's live visuals at the Eastern Lights Christmas Concert.

Program Highlights:

"Your birth, O Christ our God" (Arabic and Greek-Byzantine rite)
"Today the virgin gives birth to the Supreme Substance" (Greek - Byzantine ritual)
"We have missed our Savior" (Byzantine-Arabic by Joseph Yazbek)
"Glory to God in the highest" (Byzantine - metrical tunes)
"Christ was born, so glorify him, my greatness, oh my soul" (Byzantine - Myrrh metric)
"The day is born of the virgin" (traditional Byzantine melody)
"Glory to you, O Christ" (composed by Ziad Rahbani)
"The Messiahs of Ithilid, Hilal, and Aymar" (from the Syriac rite)
Gregorian selections from the Maronite ritual
"Malika Bnei Malka, Moshe Raba" (from the Chaldean and Assyrian rites)
"Today is Christmas" (from Armenian tradition)
"How can I be healed from your love" (words by Father Youssef Moones, composed by Elie Nehme)
"Khorurt medz" (from the Armenian rite)
"Havoon, Havoon" (Armenian Traditional hymn)
"Ov zarmanali" (from the Armenian rite)

Eastern Lights Christmas Concert, Featuring Abeer Albatal and Levon Abajian Visuals by Kevork Mourad

Eastern Lights Christmas Concert, Featuring Abeer Albatal and Levon Abajian Visuals by Kevork Mourad