Below is an article i wrote four year ago for an armenian publication in Sydney. After Cohen, let's read about this other great legend of music; Charles Aznavour.
I don’t know about other armenians but for myself being able to assist to a concert by the great french singer Charles Aznavour was an old dream that finally came true.
At 80 years old, Aznavour is the living monument of the french music. I do not recall any other french singer, male or female who at eighty continues to perform. Most of them are either dead or retired. So what is the secret of longevity of Charles Aznavour?
Music is in his blood. He cannot live without music. In the month of September few days before his return for eight new concerts in his much loved Palais des Congres hall in Paris, Aznavour got a terrible asthma. It was devastating to hear this news fearing that this rare opportunity was lost for good. I don’t know about the magic recipy of his quick recovery but Monsieur Aznavour was only obliged to cancel two concerts and fulfill the other six offering unforgettable performances.
If for the Armenian population, Aznavour represents the rich heritage of our centuries old culture; for the rest of the world, exluding alas Australia, he is the greatest working french performer who has always insisted to be a perfectionist in his art.
On the 22nd of May 2004, the day he turned eighty, a special concert was held for his birthday. Other great french singers like Johnny Hallyday and Vanessa Paradis performed duos with him. It wasn’t a surprise to see at the front row one of his admirers, the current French President, Jacques Chirac.
When you listen to Aznavour performing live, lots of images can come to your mind. His songs are linked to our own memories. On stage, the man is impressive. He is ready to take you through his work to an era that doesn’t exist anymore. Song after song, masterpiece after masterpiece, they provide a feeling of happiness and proudness. Powerful words that belong to this man, that tell stories, statements and even anecdotes. Pleasant melodies that can also be heard while walking in the streets of Paris, Rome or Montreal.
Charles Aznavour is a master of his art. He started in the showbusiness at a very young age. His career didn’t take off that easily. For more than ten years, he had difficulties to convince the audience about his talent. His perseverance, (his hayou gamke) helped him to continue to work, to perform, to meet great mentors like Maurice Chevalier, Charles Trenet and of course Edith Piaf. Finaly, in the mid 1950’s, the star was born during a concert season in the legendary hall of Olympia. Fifty years later, humble and energetic, passionate for his work regrouping more than eight hundred songs some written and composed by him, others by great authors like Jacques Prevert and composers like Georges Garvarents, his brother in Law; Aznavour makes you wonder why the life can be beautiful and full of hope.
One of the highlight of this concert was a magnificent duo with his younger daughter, Katia Aznavour. Together, they sang a brand new song called “I travel”. What a great proof from a man of his age to show that he cannot stop to work because after all, his work and his life go parallel to one another.
The dvd of his last concert tour “Happy anniversary Charles” is available to buy from the internet at www.amazon.fr
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