Witness: A Conversation with Mary Kouyoumdjian and David Harrington

In this episode, host Sarah Cahill, composer Mary Kouyoumdjian and violinist David Harrington discuss Mary's first solo portrait album titled 'Witness,' featuring performances by the Kronos Quartet. Mary reflects on her long-standing collaboration with the Quartet, starting from her selection for their Under 30 project. They delve into the personal and cultural significance behind the album's tracks, particularly focusing on the Armenian folk song 'Groung' and the piece 'Bombs of Beirut,' which integrates family stories and field recordings of bombings from the Lebanese Civil War. Mary and David also explore the emotional and technical challenges of composing and performing pieces that deal with themes of cultural erasure and conflict. The episode captures their shared philosophy of using music to reflect on and process difficult historical and contemporary issues, emphasizing the importance of empathy and the responsibility of artists to address societal challenges.