Arthur Meschian

Infobox musical artist
Name = Arthur Meschian
Արթուր Մեսչյան


imagesize = 50 px
Img_capt = Arthur Meschian's CD
Background = rock musician |architect
Genre = Rock
Years_active = 1960s –

Arthur (Artashes) Meschian ( _hy. Արթուր Մեսչյան, born March 3, 1949, Yerevan) is an Armenian rock musician, singer, composer, artist and architect. He is also known as one of the founders of Armenian rock [ [http://www.noev-kovcheg.ru/mag/2007-09/867.html Arthur Meschian: The Voice of Conscience, by Emma Grigoryan, "Noev Kovcheg" newspaper, Moscow, #120, 2007, in Russian] ] . He is the co-author of different architectural projects included Zvartnots Airport and the new building of Matenadaran in Armenia.

Meschian was the leader of the "Apostles" ("Arakyalner"), an Armenian underground rock-band in the 1960-70's that become the "voice of the generation" during the period of stagnation and Soviet censure [ [http://www.amc.am/shop.php?step=2&singerid=102 Arthur Meschian, by the Armenian Music Center, 2006-2008] ] . Three students of the Yerevan State Politechnic Institute were singing about pain and sorrow (they used the lyrics written by Moushegh Ishkhan and Meschian). General themes in the songs included the philosophy of life's meaning, pain and mercy or joy and pride.

In 1976 "Apostles" were banned by Soviet censorship, by the end of the 80's, the "iron curtain" fell and Meschian moved to the USA with his family. He formed the "Arakyalner-90" band and recorded four studio albums featuring both old works from "Apostles" and new songs.

"Catharsis" was very popular with some of the best-known old songs such as "Song of conscience", "Steps", "I used to know", "With the pain of the world" and "Where were you, God?" . In 1996 he returned to Armenia and become the Chief architect of Yerevan, then he came back to Boston, and started working as an architect there.

Since 2005 he lives in Armenia and is a concerting musician now. "If we lose the light of art, the darkness will drive us crazy...", says Arthur Meschian.

Discography

In 1970's "Apostles" recorded the "Requiem" album, dedicated to the memory of the Armenian Genocide victims. The album was never released by the Soviet recording studio "Melodiya"

*"The Monologue of an insane violinist" ("Khent jutakahari menakhosutyunn"), 1992
*"Catharsis", 1995
*"Wander" ("Taparum"), 1995
*"Communion" ("Haghordutyun"), 1996
*"Live At Aram Khachatryan Concert Hall", 2005
*"Arthur Meschian Live 2006", 2007

References

External links

* [http://www.myspace.com/meschian Meschian at MySpace]
* [http://www.noev-kovcheg.ru/mag/2007-09/867.html Arthur Meschian: The Voice of Conscience, by Emma Grigoryan, "Noev Kovcheg" newspaper, Moscow, #120, 2007, in Russian]
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Sf5qDGYpbQ "Steps", Video by Arthur Meschian]
* [http://www.cilicia.com/2005/11/comeback_05.html Comeback (Arthur Meschian)]
* [http://www.rockar.narod.ru Rock in Armenia and Armenians in Rock]
* [http://www.yerevan.ru/news/?task=detailed&id=5678 Arthur Meschian's new "Live" album, Yerevan.ru, 2007]
* [http://lightning.prohosting.com/~razbirat/meschian/ Arthur Meschian and Apostles, by Simon Simonian, Razbirat]