Dan Yessian chose to divide this classical work into three separate movements which depict the mood of the Armenian people circa 1915, as they faced brutality at the hands of a Turkish Ottoman Empire.
In “The Faith” Yessian describes the struggle that ensues when humans attempt to make sense from tragedy. There is a rhythmic push and pull – back and forth – to this movement, exemplifying continual questioning as to why bad things happen to good people. In the melody played by the concertmaster, Yessian chooses to weave his way in and out of hopelessness, giving the listener a sense that faith might rescue one from the depths of hell. The end of the movement contains the sound of three chimes. For some it could be noted as the Holy Trinity, for others the emulation of church bells.
Special thanks to Project SAVE, The Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute, Ruben Poghosyan, and The 100 Years Project for all the invaluable images.