Jazz in the Cathedral

Listen to Karén Asatrián's jazz mass PRAYER WHEEL performed by an extraordinary double choir in Vienna's St. Stephen's Cathedral.

On an Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day, The Philharmonia Choir Vienna and the senior choir of the Mozart Music School/Musical High School Salzburg join forces to create a musical symbol of peace, humanity and interfaith dialogue.

The mass is based on early Christian liturgy (Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus, Agnus Dei) and combines Western musical tradition with Oriental timbres and improvisational jazz elements. Mantra-like repetitions and the Latin language also refer to Buddhist prayer wheels, which give the work its name. The musical dramaturgy leads from G minor to the festive key of D major.

PRAYER WHEEL for choir and jazz quartet is truly an extraordinary work! The mix of Eastern and Western sounds creates a wide range of moods: suggestive, meditative, wistful, radiant, solemn and even rhythmically stirring. Since its premiere in 2015 at the Konzerthaus Klagenfurt and a performance at the 2016 Salzburg Festival, PRAYER WHEEL has been regarded as an important work of contemporary sacred music. The 2026 performance lends the work special cultural and social relevance due to its date, location and large ensemble.

The concert in St Stephen's Cathedral will be the grand finale of the SOUNDS OF ARMENIA festival, which will have combined literature and music in an impressive dialogue over the previous three evenings at the Porgy & Bess jazz club, giving voice to Armenia's vibrant cultural heritage and the unbroken will to survive of its people.

SOUNDS OF ARMENIA

The concert at St. Stephen’s Cathedral serves as the grand finale of the SOUNDS OF ARMENIA festival, which over the past three evenings at the Porgy & Bess jazz club has woven literature and music into a compelling dialogue, giving voice to Armenia’s vibrant cultural heritage as well as the unbroken will to survive of its people. Additional concerts by SOUNDS OF ARMENIA:

Tue, April 21, 2026, 8:30 p.m. Titiano 'Hommage to Charles Aznavour'
Wed, April 22, 2026, 8:30 p.m. Armenian Spirit
Thu, April 23, 2026, 8:30 p.m. Duo Masis & Wolfram Berger 'Erzählte Heimat – gespielte Sehnsucht'

Armenia’s Role in Jazz Music

Jazz originated in the United States but has evolved worldwide. Armenia plays a special role in this context, as many musicians of Armenian descent have influenced jazz internationally. They combined jazz with Armenian folk and church music, thereby creating a unique style.

Since Armenians are scattered across the globe and far more Armenians live abroad than in Armenia itself, this is referred to as the Armenian diaspora. Many Armenian jazz musicians therefore lived and worked outside of Armenia—primarily in the United States, Europe, and Latin America. In the diaspora, they had access to international jazz scenes and were able to combine Armenian musical traditions with Western jazz. In this way, Armenians in the diaspora made a decisive contribution to making Armenian culture known worldwide.

Jazz in Armenia

Jazz arrived in Armenia as early as the 20th century. During the Soviet era, jazz was partially banned, but it continued to develop nonetheless, particularly in Yerevan. After Armenia gained independence, a vibrant jazz scene emerged, featuring festivals and international performances.

Program and cast

 Performers

Philharmonia Choir Vienna
Oberstufenchor des Mozart-Musikgymnasiums / Musischen Gymnasiums Salzburg
Thomas Huber, Musical direction
Rita Movsesian, Vocals
Karén Asatrián, Piano
Daniel Nösig, Trumpet
Uli Langthaler, double bass
Emil Krištof, drums

 Programme and Duration

Karén Asatrián: Jazzmass Prayer Wheel

90 Minutes, no intermission