Tigran Hamasyan Has the Prog-Rock Keys to “The Kingdom”
A virtuoso in the fullest sense of the word, Tigran Hamasyan embodies the life force of jazz and prog-rock, imbued with a wistful sentiment pulled from the very folklore of his native Armenia for good measure.
Tigran Hamasyan’s musical journey began with a healthy and diverse exposure to various genres at home, leading him to start playing the piano at just three years old. At eleven, he began performing in festivals and competitions, eventually winning the Montreux Jazz Festival’s piano competition in 2003. At seventeen, he released his first album, “World Passion,” and the following year, he achieved success at the renowned Thelonious Monk International Jazz Piano Competition. Throughout his career, he has received acclaim from musical legends such as Herbie Hancock, Brad Mehldau, and the late Chick Corea, solidifying his status as a truly exceptional artist in the world of contemporary music.
Right now, Hamasyan has released “The Kingdom” a vertiginous and rich musical journey blending mind-blowing synthesizers, expansive prog-rock soundscape, and inspiration straight from an ancient Armenian folk tale named The Bird of a Thousand Voices (Hazaran Blbul), in which a hero travels into unseen realms to find and bring back a mythical bird – whose divine song will awaken people again and bring harmony to the world. This release is not constrained just to music, it is also able to be enjoyed as an interactive game on smartphones and desktops at Hamasyan’s website.
“The main melody, with its fast-cascading “cosmic” rays of arpeggios, represents the bird and its otherworldly, timeless, and divine quality. It is also setting the mood for the hero’s journey in the online game and his determination and sacrifice to bring back the bird to his father’s kingdom.” – Tigran Hamasyan
“The Kingdom” serves as an enticing preview of Hamasyan’s forthcoming endeavor, “The Bird of A Thousand Voices,” a much-anticipated conceptual album that promises to highlight his limitless creativity and musical expertise. If you’re the type who enjoys immersing yourself in transcendental musical experiences by dimming the lights and donning your headphones, then “The Kingdom” is a must-listen for tonight. And if you’ve never experienced this before, allow Tigran Hamasyan to take you on a magical journey right now.
Hamasyan’s got two upcoming concerts at the Muziekgebouw aan ‘t IJ in Amsterdam on June 8th and 9th for the world premiere of “The Bird Of A Thousand Voices.”
FOR MORE INFO ON TIGRAN HAMASYAN – INSTAGRAM | WEBSITE | TIKTOK
Cover photo by Vahan Stepanyan