“. . . he asked”
Nursing homes, where feeble old folks in wheelchairs line the walls of antiseptic hallways, house the famous of yesteryear. One wonders how many? Who?
And so I find a world class composer propped in a wheelchair just outside his semi-private room, a strap supporting his chest to keep him from sliding to the floor. He dozes next to a large poster of his new memoir “Kanon, The Life of Composer Ara Sevanian.”
“Ara,” I call, rubbing his arm to awaken him.
Initial confusion melts into delight minutes later. “Eva, so nice you come visit me.”
Although the new memoir bears her name, author Eva Bogaardt insists the book is not hers. Certainly, she taped Sevanian’s personal interviews, compiled and transcribed them over a two year period while studying at UCLA; yet she admits, “It is Ara’s book.”
When asked by a friend, “Why invest so much time on someone else’s life story,” Mrs. Bogaardt answered modestly, “Because he asked.”
Indeed there is an urgency to Mr. Sevanian’s request, “Eva, I getting old; will you write my biography?” He turns 94 on November 21.The author’s continuing visits to Ararat Home in San Fernando, where Ara resides today, hope to uncover other forgotten tidbits of Sevanian’s life. However, the premier edition of the book is complete, a thematic whole that makes Ara’s life of composing agreeable to non-musicians who would rather learn about the man’s personal milestones than read a treatise on musical constructions.
Sevanian’s simple stories open the door on a violent century of revolution, war, and concentration camps.The first chapters introduce the composer’s cultural beginnings in Armenia. Young Ara finds the forbidden key and sneaks into his parent’s bedroom to play his father’s kanon, a Middle Eastern lap harp. When the Russian Revolution intervenes, the new leader, Stalin, revives the arts and musical competitions take center stage. Ara relates his excitement over becoming the finalist at the Moscow Music Festival of 1939. An invitation to play at the Kremlin follows. There, Aram Khachaturian who is impressed with the young musician, convinces Stalin that Sevanian is worthy of Russia’s highest award. Stalin personally bestows the Red Flag on Ara. When World War II erupts, Ara finds himself in a KZ (concentration camp). Only a German officer’s concern for a fellow musician saves the young virtuoso from death and gains him a position as program director for the Ostministerium.
But stories don’t make a composer. Music does, and Sevanian’s scores of songs, chamber pieces, nine symphonies and two operas now housed at the USC Music Library verify his teacher’s accolade, “Sevanian has created a bridge between East and West.” Other famous men, among them Vakhtang Jordania, Loris Tjeknavorian and Aram Khachaturian, mentor and friend, agree with Professor Georg von Albrecht’s judgment.
Kanon, the Life of Composer Ara Sevanian unfolds thematically. It brings the reader closer to one man’s passion for composing. It traces Sevanian’s arduous path to success, from using personal resources to produce long playing records, to employing fellow musicians to further his works. It follows Ara from his dishwashing days in the San Francisco Presidio to running his own Van Nuys burger shop in order to support his family, because “In America they don’t pay for music.”
Music defines a composer’s soul. Conductor Walter Moek, F.I.A.L. who premiered Ara’s Adagio Cantablile in 1995 wrote, “Ara is a very kind and gentle person . . . you can hear his sincerity in his music.” Sevanian’s interesting musical constructions attract American conductors to his contemporary sound. The composer’s works have delighted audiences in Boston, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. They have premiered as recently as 1996, when Calarts performed Symphony No. 8 in A under conductor Robert Lawson. The Chattanooga Symphony and the Van Nuys Symphony have also played his symphonic works, though sadly, no good sound recordings were made.
A memoir is but a first step in preserving a legacy. A donation of Mr. Sevanian’s musical instrument is planned. Copies his memoir grace a number of prestigious libraries, including the Library of Congress, the UCLA Schoenberg Library, and the USC archives.
Kanon, The Life of Composer Ara Sevanian is a hard case edition with dust cover. It can be requested from all major booksellers under ISBN 978-0-9792867-0-4. Copies purchased from shareagepress.com include a free CD of the composer’s kanon music.
Author Eva Bogaardt has published news columns, articles, and a short story collection. She engages in speaking engagements, book signings, and radio interviews. Her current plans include an expansion of Inside the Gospel, originally published in 1986 by Franciscan Communications. Her latest manuscript The Backyard Horse is the result of 10 years of back yard horse ownership.
Author: Eva Bogaardt
Website: shareagepress.com
Available at: Abril Books
415 E. Broadway, STE. 102
Glendale, CA 91205
(818) 243-4112
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