I was one of the many fortunate Armenians who attended the November 15 concert of world famous composer Goran Bregovic and his band the Wedding and Funeral Orchestra at Yerevan’s Karen Demirchyan Sport and Concert Complex.
I have to confess that I knew very little about this great musician’s work before attending the show. I was only acquainted with some of his famous songs, especially with those that have been featured in films. Bregovic is well known as the composer for Emir Kusturica’s films like White Cat Black Cat, Arizona Dream, Times of the Gypsies and Underground.
Of course I was expecting to listen to beautiful music that night. What I heard, however, exceeded my expectations. The variety of musical instruments (violin, trumpet, saxophone, accordion) so beautifully intertwined with the variety of voices (bas, baritone, etc.), and created an unbelievable harmony.
During this show, which was called “Alcohol,” he performed some of his most famous songs, including Gas-Gas, Maki Maki, Kalasnikov, Ederlezi, Mesecina and others. During the first half, the musicians even performed the song Happy End from the 2007 album Carmen. The Armenian audience seemed infected by a joyful spirit and the powerful music.
For years, the Armenian TV show Music Mailbox aired with Bregovic’s song In the Death Car as its intro. This time, Yerevan had the chance to sing the song with Bregovic.
The audience danced and sang along all night. The entire concert hall was transfixed by one stage and one performance. Unexpected rhythms caused a wave of emotion and the concert became a delightful dialogue between the great musician and his fascinated audience. Love was in the air, inspired through the international language of music.
During the press conference following the show, Bregovic confessed he was proud to have seen so many of his Armenian fans.
I am sure his music and that performance will remain in our hearts.
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