|
From: Harry Surmenian
Date: Friday, February 27, 2004
Subject: A few toughts about Berj
I would like to share my deep sorrow with all of Berj's friends, colleagues and admirers of his talent.
Today, all of us mourn the loss of a renowned musician, a resolute believer, a true patriot and a great citizen of this country.
It is hard to think that a cheerful, sharp-minded and energetic human being such as Berj was defeated by the inexorable illness. Even in his hospital bed, on the other end of the telephone line, he sounded optimistic and committed to life. I felt his unflinching faith until my last conversation with him just four days before his death, when he sounded very weak and too tired to talk.
Each of us who knew Berj has personal recollections of him. I belong to the generation that witnessed Berj's triumphant capturing of music lovers' hearts in Armenia almost 40 years ago, in 1965. The love of his talent and appreciation for his devotion to Armenian culture were never extinguished in the souls of his admirers.
He became one of the first Diasporan artists to bridge the gap between Armenia and the Armenian Diaspora, [which] resulted from years of Stalinist repressions and Armenia's isolation behind the iron curtain.
The people of Armenia felt great pride toward their talented son. Berj's concert tours and performances throughout the world brought fame and recognition not only to his artistic individuality, but also to his Armenian name and Armenian musical culture. Through his talent many people in various parts of the world discovered for themselves an ancient nation and a unique culture.
Years ago, I wrote an article about Berj entitled " The envoy of Armenian music". At this moment of his physical departure I think it would be more appropriate to bestow upon him the title of Ambassador - at- large of the Armenian nation.
His soul and conscience must be in peace. Through his talent he brought joy to music lovers. His offspring, the Gomidas Organ Fund, has served and will serve for many years to come as his best legacy.
Each organ donated by the Gomidas Organ Fund - from Etchmiadzin and Yerevan to Venice and Belmont - will personify Berj as a great humanitarian and disseminator of kindness and love.
The name of Berj Zamkochian will have its place in the pantheon of the most renowned sons and daughters of the Armenian nation.
I bow my head in his memory and pray for his move to the Almighty's realm.
Harutiun Surmenian
|
|
From: karl hartmann
Subject: Berg
Date: March 5, 2004
Our Dear Berj you were the brother that we never had. You have left a void in our lives. We pray to God that our fond memories of you and our long hours of phone conversations about your travels and gormet cooking will sustain us in time. Berj how can we ever forget how you inspired us with hope and prayer during our trying times. Your eloquent voice, your music and the image of your presence will live in our hearts forever.
May you rest in peace, dear brother.
Virginia Keljikian
Dororhy Chakarian Hartmann
Zarie Keosian
|
|
Tribute to Berj Zamkochian
March 9, 2004
I first met Berj Zamkochian through my mother when she was choir chairperson and church organist at St. Sahag and St. Mesrob Armenian Church in Wynnewood, PA. My mother was responsible for arranging to have Berj perform an organ recital at St. Sahag’s using an electronic Allen organ that was rented for this special event (the church had an old Hammond organ that wasn’t suitable as concert organ). I was twelve years old, studying piano and didn’t have exposure to organ music until I heard Berj play. I was totally in awe of his virtuosity and was inspired by his playing. I began collecting all of his recordings he made. His recordings of the Saint-Saens Organ Symphony with the Boston Symphony Orchestra as well as the Poulenc Organ Concerto have been, and still are my favorites.
Berj became good friends with my family for many years. He even invited my brother and I to spend the week at his summer home in Kennebunkport, Maine (I hadn’t forgotten the ride in his small motor boat when he took us out in the frigid Atlantic water with waves pounding us). Each time, he came to Philadelphia, he always stopped at our house and enjoyed my mother and grandmother’s Armenian dishes. When Berj was invited to perform at the Irvine Auditorium at University of Pennsylvania, he had me tag along to come and listen to him practice. Again, I watched in awe as he practiced the exciting Mendelssohn’s Sonata No.1 in F Minor. Because of him, I decided I wanted to learn organ playing and began taking lessons with a local organ teacher.
When I married my wife, Pam, in 1997, it was a privilege and an honor to have Berj to play the organ at our wedding at St. Vartan’s Armenian Cathedral in New York City and to be with us throughout our special day. When my father passed away two months later, we flew to Boston to hear Berj give his annual concert in memory of my father at the Methuen Music Hall. In the summer of 2001, Berj when was invited to play at the St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City, he emailed me and asked me to bring a small tape recorder to record his playing of Jeffery Brody’s Symphony for Organ. I came with my laptop and a microphone hidden under my jacket and recorded his performance. Berj was quite delighted to hear his recording.
I know many of us feel the same way as I do of the loss, but his organ recordings will continue to bring warm thoughts and fond memories of my good friendship with Berj Zamkochian.
George and Pam Arpajian
Cranbury, New Jersey
|
