The Bird of a Thousand Voices

Tigran Hamasyan has composed his greatest work, inspired by a traditional Armenian tale of the same name. The album The Bird of a Thousand Voices is rediscovering this story via a transmedia project consisting of an innovative staged play (world premiered at the Holland Festival on June 8th, 2024), two ambitious cinematic fiction music videos, a documentary music video and an online game.

The original story of the firebird has been transmitted orally over the centuries and cultures. The folk tale requires a multi-layered, transdisciplinary approach to provide an artistic context for this fascinating story. The mystical bird of a thousand voices is a beautiful metaphor of our times: a world in search of connection and harmony, faced with ecological, psychological and spiritual crises. Therefore, any form of recognition and new means of transmitting this beautiful music of the ancient traditions of the Caucasus is important and sets the tone for world curiosity and diversity. This ‘The Bird of a Thousand Voices’ album is part of that context. Tigran is one of the most remarkable jazz pianists and composers of his generation. He combines improvisation with the rich traditional music of his native Armenia. Ten years ago, he and award-winning filmmaker Ruben Van Leer met during a collaboration at the Cité de la Musique in Paris, creating ‘Shadow Theater’, a visual musical experience. They went on to create several music videos together.