Gurdjieff Ensemble

Fri, December 4, 2026

Doors:  7 PM | Show:  8 PM

New York Society for Ethical Culture – Adler Hall
2 West 64th Street, Manhattan

Tickets: Advance $45 | Day of Show $55

Member Benefits Apply

WMI Member Price: Advance $36 | Day of Show $44

The Gurdjieff Ensemble, founded by Levon Eskenian, features leading musicians in Armenian and Middle Eastern instruments. Originally focused on authentic interpretations of the G.I. Gurdjieff/Thomas de Hartmann piano music,  Eskenian later expanded the Ensemble’s repertoire to include music from the Middle East, ancient and medieval Armenian folk and spiritual music, the music of Armenian composer Komitas, troubadour songs from the Caucasus, and works by contemporary composers. Their albums on ECM Records have received widespread acclaim.

The partnership between Gurdjieff and De Hartmann stands as one of the most extraordinary collaborations in the esoteric and musical landscape of the 20th century. It merged the profound spiritual insights of Greek-Armenian mystic G.I. Gurdjieff with the classical prowess of Russian composer Thomas de Hartmann. De Hartmann, an esteemed Ukrainian-born classical composer and composition professor, met Gurdjieff in 1917 and chose to leave behind a thriving music career in Russia to become Gurdjieff’s dedicated student and closest confidante.

The Gurdjieff Ensemble’s work has been celebrated by The New York Times as “powerfully hypnotic” and praised by The Guardian as “haunting and atmospheric.”

The Ensemble is:

Levon Eskenian – Artistic Direction, Arrangements
Norayr Gapoyan – Duduk, Pku
Armen Ayvazyan – Kamancha
Avag Margaryan – Blul, Zurna
Aram Nikoghosyan – Oud
Davit Avagyan – Tar
Mesrop Khalatyan – Dap, Imbuk
Vladimir Papikyan – Voice, Santur
Meri Vardanyan – Kanun
Gagik Hakobyan – Bass Duduk, Pku

The ORIGINS series features artists who delve into the folklore of their cultures’ music to tell the story of their origins, preserving and affirming cultural identities and legacies.