ModComFest 2025 Illuminates Paris with Michel Petrossian’s Chanter l’icône at the Petit Palais
Performed by Ensemble Musicatreize under the direction of Roland Hayrabédian, the programme took inspiration from Frantzeskos Kavertzas’s 17th-century painting In You Rejoiceth and the hymn All Creation Rejoices in Thee, traditionally attributed to St John Damascene. Rather than presenting a conventional concert, Petrossian’s vision unfolded as a carefully structured triptych, starting with an introduction that saw a performance of the original hymn, followed by a lecture about the painting by Raphaëlle Ziadé, curator of the museum's Byzantine collection, accompanied by special short film by Samuel Bester, and finally the complete concert version of Petrossian’s majestic composition.
For Hayrabédian, the project was emblematic of both Ensemble Musicatreize’s ethos and Petrossian’s distinctive artistic language, as he explained that “we are very accustomed to creating new works, but what is new here is the format, which oscillates between a lecture on a pictorial work and an extremely varied musical discourse. That is the particular vision of Michel Petrossian.”
Indeed, although the starting point of the evening lay in historic chant and sacred imagery, Petrossian’s musical voice was unmistakably contemporary, with the conductor noting that “the connection with elements of the past always influences interpretation, but the composer’s imprint is even stronger. The hymn All Creation Rejoices in Thee is very present, but always through the lens of today’s composer, even though listeners might believe that the three interpretations of the hymn are from the original era!”
Bester, meanwhile, shared similar sentiments, noting that “Michel's work greatly inspired me in the creation of the videos, as his music gives this icon emotional depth, a sonic anchor and a personal colour derived from his culture and history. In the same way, my video creation work is a sensitive reinterpretation of the visual and spiritual elements contained within this icon and, just like in music, conveys and transmits something spiritual and immaterial. The work was conceived here truly as an audio-visual work, as a dialogue, a conversation.”
The interplay of these elements gave the concert a sense of revelation, not only for the audience but also for the ensemble itself. “When we perform the piece again in its entirety,” Hayrabédian reflected, “something new happens — as if everything becomes clear, both for us and, I believe, for the listeners.”
That clarity extended to the concert’s broader message, which was in perfect alignment with the spirit of ModComFest. “I always hope that audiences understand there is no danger, no discomfort, in truly listening to the music of today,” the conductor remarked. “Michel Petrossian’s music touches something universal and deeply sensitive. It expresses the inexpressible without compromise, yet without causing harm. It is the natural continuation of the music that came before us.”
Bester agreed, stating that “I am delighted to see that our interpretation of this icon has struck a chord with audiences. There is the factual and historical aspect on the one hand, but the most important thing is to be able to inspire wonder, and the success of our public presentations of this accomplished work confirms the success of the project, which was to convey a sense of curiosity and the pleasure of discovery through the eyes and ears”.
The concert’s success lay precisely in this bridging of epochs and disciplines. By situating Petrossian’s new creation within the iconic Petit Palais, alongside video, narration and scholarship, ModComFest reaffirmed its reputation for daring programming that celebrates contemporary voices as part of a wider cultural continuum.
“It has been a truly wonderful evening of art and music”, ModComFest President Konstantin Ishkhanov declared. “One of the goals of this festival is to push boundaries and introduce audiences to new, brilliant contemporary artists, and tonight we have seen how such talented minds can work together to create a truly unforgettable experience for us all!”
Ultimately, as audiences left the hall full of unanimous acclaim, they carried with them not only the memory of Petrossian’s score but also the sense of having participated in a living dialogue between history, image and sound. In doing so, Chanter l’icône embodied the very heart of ModComFest 2025, a festival that champions the composers of today while placing their work firmly within the great arc of tradition.
For more information about ModComFest 2025 and all upcoming concerts, make sure to visit the official website at petrossian.modcomfest.com.
