Composer Hodian Debuts New Group, Hnar

November 12, 2026

YEREVAN — American-Armenian, Yerevan-based composer and conductor John Hodian has already established himself with his traditional Armenian music group, the Naghash Ensemble. The group, which this week is embarking on a US tour, performs music, written by Hodian, based on the works of the eponymous poet.

On October 29, at a basement space in the Arno Babajanyan Concert Hall, Hodian debuted his latest effort, Hnar Ensemble.

The room was packed with about 200 friends and musical enthusiasts, who for the first time heard the group’s music.

The musicians in the ensemble are Anna Hambardzumyan (santoor); Yevgine Melikyan (qanun); David Sayadyan (oud); Andranik Gasparyan (duduk); Tigran Hovhannisyan (dhol) and Narek Gasparyan (cello).

Again, they perform original music by John Hodian, but this time without a vocalist.

While the instruments are traditionally Armenian, the sounds they create are not.

The dozen songs performed were captivating; while they seemed Armenian at points, they soon went off in different directions, recalling various genres from Flamenco to Jazz and even moody instrumentals like Pink Floyd.

As Hodian said, his aim was just that. “I needed to find people who could do things with these instruments that they don’t normally do. Especially with the snatoor and the qanun, I made them do things that they don’t like to do, and yet they [the musicians] do it so stunningly well.”

Indeed, the two instruments at various points sounded percussive or even like Flamenco guitars.

Before the performers launched into the music, Hodian addressed the assembled in English (translated by Nareg Hartounian). He explained that the music of this ensemble was centered around the santoor.

John Hodian with members of the Hnar Ensemble

“All I’ve done for the past 15 years has been to write music based on this one poet, Naghash, and then we have traveled quite a bit with this ensemble,” Hodian said. “The Naghash Ensemble has a certain type of sound or vibe. A couple of years ago, I started hearing a different type of music in my head. It was very different, very technical, had a lot of energy, and was very difficult in terms of virtuosity.”

In addition, he said, “I had become obsessed with the sound of the santoor.”