YEREVAN. – A new “Ave Maria” rendition by Armenian composer, jazz pianist, and organist Gary Keosayan will be performed for the first time during the concert to be held within the framework Pope Francis’ forthcoming visit to Armenia. 

The State Philharmonic Orchestra of Armenia will present this piece, which was composed in 2013 but never performed, during the Saturday evening concert at Republic Square in Armenia’s capital city of Yerevan; and Keosayan will accompany them with the organ.

“As an Armenian Christian, I’ve dreamed of writing ‘Ave Maria;’ the ode to motherhood, the ode to the Virgin Mary,” he stressed. “I thank God that I was lucky enough to write such a piece.”