Nor Yerk Recordings 

The following are available on audio cassette: 

  • Sing a new song to the Lord (1)
  • Sing a new song to the Lord (2)
  • Rejoice in the Lord
  • Tartsir, Azkus Hai
  • Khaghaghouteun Ashkharhee
    (more information about this audio cassette)
    • The following are available on CD:   All recordings contain Armenian Christian songs 
    (original and translated).  
     

    Bidi Badmem 
    "This Is My Story" 
     
     
    The latest recording of the Armenian Christian musical group, "Nor Yerk," has been newly released in Beirut 

    "This Is My Story" (Bidi Badmem), a compilation of beloved hymns in Armenian, redone in modern and creative arrangements, features the vocal stylings of Miss Houry Apartian. The songs depict themes of praise, encouragement, surrender, and faith. 

    Sometimes calm and meditative, other times powerful and majestic, the selections present an assortment of solo instruments, choral sounds and children's voices. Instrumental touches include the Armenian duduk, jazz alto saxophone, Latin-style flute, and classical cello. 

    Well-known tunes, such as "Fairest Lord Jesus," "How Great Thou Art," and "When I Survey the Wond'rous Cross," sung in Armenian, are presented in the arrangements of Rev. Nerses Balabanian, founder of "Nor Yerk", and Hrag Karagoezian. 

    Debuting to an audience of youth, clergy, and friends at a November 12th gathering in the auditorium of Haigazian University, the CD is now on sale for $10 US. A casette release of this album is currently being produced, and the group is preparing for a series of concerts in Syria and Lebanon next spring. 


     
     

    Khaghaghouteun Ashkharhee 
    Nor Yerk #5 
    "The Christmas Album" 

     
     
    This album is a compilation of Christmas songs in Armenian, in the same eclectic style which has characterized their first four recordings. "Nor Yerk 5: The Christmas Album" ranges from traditional arrangements of carols to jazzy arrangements (by a new member from Aleppo, pianist/composer Shoghag Apartian Selimian) to the beautiful voicings of Gomidas. The group’s founder, Rev. Nerses Balabanian, has brought a total of nine musicians together to make this album, including a total of fifteen Armenian and Western melodies. 

    The songs include Armenian renditions of such beloved carols as "God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen," "Coventry Carol," "It Came upon the Midnight Clear," "Away in a Manger," and the original composition (words by Rev. Barkev Apartian and music by daughter Shoghag), "Glory to God in the Highest". 

    Guitarist Hrag Karagoezian, son of Rev. Mgrdich Karagoezian, presents a new arrangement of Silent Night in a minor key. He also contributes an energetic solo on "Angels We Have Heard on High." Rev. Nishan Bakalian (of New York), visiting Lebanon on his return from an AMAA project in Karabagh this summer, contributed the alto saxophone tracks on the album. Of course, the album features Salpi Keleshian and Houri Apartian singing solos and duets. Their voices are also heard in the studio choir, along with, Sevan and Nerses Balabanian and Barkev Taslakian. 

    The album includes the beautiful sharagan, "Medzatsoustse Antz Im ez-Der," the song of Mary, mother of Jesus, who glorifies God with her whole heart. The rest of the traditional carols were arranged by Rev. Balabanian and Garbis Deyirmenjian, including "Joy to the World," "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing," "Mary Has a Child," "What Child Is This?" "To Us a Child of Hope Is Born (Aha Mezi Manoug Dzenav)," "The First Noel," and others. 

    There are Armenian Christmas songs as well, including the wonderful Armenian tune by Lebanese composer, Menagian (words by Bishop Hergelian), adding a new flavor to the recording. The composition "Ding, Dong" by reknowned Armenian composer Robert Amirkhanian, reminds us the winter in Armenia and the ringing of the church bells. All of the words are included in the cassettes and CDs, so that anyone who reads Armenian can sing along with it. 

    Nor Yerk believes that through this new recording many people will find a new expression of their worship of God, and that it will spread the Good News of Jesus Christ to human hearts and bring joy and peace, especially at Christmas time. 
     

     
     
     

    Havadkes Chem Morana 
    Nor Yerk #6 
    "I Will Not Forget My Faith" 

     
     
     
    It took us 8 months to accomplish this last project. In 1993 Nor Yerk started to record CDs and Tapes. God blessed us with 5 projects and this one is the sixth one. It is a blessing to have Armenian Christian worship music. One of the toughest things in recording is to find good music. We do not have a lot of Armenian Christian contemporary music. Most of the songs are composed in Armenia. But I am careful to select the right ones (musically and theologically). In this project one can find translated hymns. These hymns are not for one nation. These days one can hear the same song in Korean, Chinese, Arabic, French, or English. We try to "Armenize" the lyrics so it speaks to our young people. 

    One can see the difference in this project by hearing more live instruments. Although synthesizers are used but nothing can replace the live musician. This means a bigger budget but better quality. We should aim higher because it is done for the Lord. 

    The string quartet is from the Beirut Philharmonic Orchestra. The players are from Armenia. They are wonderful musicians. "Havadkes chem morana" is a difficult one. How can we produce and record such a work from a pastor who composed it and then was executed? This song was composed in Iran by an Armenian Pastor Rev. Haig Hovsepian. Rev. Nishan Bakalian did an excellent work in arranging this music. String quartet and acoustic and bass guitar, with a small percussion created the atmosphere. Salpi Keleshian performed it with Armenian passion. By the way, the song was recorded on Good Friday. One has to hear it ...no more comments. 

    Hrag Karogoezian is a new young talent. He played guitar (all kinds) and programmed and played the drums. He arranged some of the songs. We used a new set of drums this time. One of the toughest things to record is drums. Therefore, we bought a Roland Drum V Pro. It is electronic drum with live settings. So the drummer can play with feelings. I am glad that Nor Yerk could use such an instrument for the glory of God. 

    In this recording one can find a lot of acoustic guitar sound. It is very good for worship songs. 

    Houri is a miracle. She is studying in Paris. She came to Beirut for the recording of this project. Her interpretation of the songs are wonderful. She has energy in her voice. You can hear Houri our lead singer in most of the songs. She loves to improvise. One can find that also in our recordings. 

    Rev. Nishan Bakalian is another musician in this recording. Besides helping us in the arrangements he is the woodwind player. He played oboe, flute, alto and tenor saxophone. He played duets with Avo Toutounjian. Avo, is a jazz player. You can hear his solos. In Psalm 19 he played his part one shot without editing. He listened to the song three times and then he recorded it in one shot. 

    Anto Messerlian is another singer who sang the Khachin Zinvor. This style is a Armenian folk style. One can hear in the beat and the instruments a very Armenian style. That song will put you in movement. Zakar Keshishian added his shvi. This Armenian folk instrument is made of apricot wood. The words are very important. Without being a committed Christian you can not follow Christ. 

    Garbis Deyrmenjian added another flavor on the recording. He is my helper in the keyboard arrangements. Sevan my wife brought her part by singing the background alto vocals. 

    The cover design was done by Dibar Apartian. It is abstract and very expressive. Nails and a hammer are there without use. They could not keep Christ on the cross. They will not stop us from being on the cross. Nails and hammer were not very useful to stop the Christian faith from spreading around the world. 

    I am happy to inform you that this project was done by these excellent musicians. I was not alone. Although, I did a lot of planing, recording producing, arranging and playing the keyboard. But without help of theses fine musicians I could not have done this CD. The Lord blessed us through hours and hours of recording, mixing and editing. 

    After all this, you need to relax and listen to our new CD. Thanks for everyone who helped us to fulfill this project. 

    Rev. Nerses Balabanian
      

    Return To Top Of Page