Search - Shoghaken Ensemble :: Armenia Anthology

A Treasure Chest of Exquisite Traditional Music

Erika Borsos | Gulf Coast of FL, USA | 09/16/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I was catapulted into seventh heaven listening to this CD.
It remains my favorite of five CDs of Armenian music I own. What distinguishes this CD from the others is, the wide range of musical styles and regions represented, along with the traditional instruments played, the kamanche (spiked upright fiddle), kanoun, (trapezoid shaped ancient zither-like instrument), dhol (large cylindrical drum), dham, & shvi (an end-blown flute). The liner notes are indispensible in explaining this unique genre of music. They help us understand the distinctive differences betwen, the "ashugh" musical style, which is classical in structure and polyphonic, from the "gusan" style, which has a fixed repertoire, mode, and melodic pattern. Gusan style is the bardic tradition of recounting the deeds of heros from the near and ancient past. Although, typically Armenian music is monophonic, the constant use of a drone, gives it hints of polyphonic undertones. Traditional music never sounded as good as this CD ...Among my favorites are: "Janoy" which is a wedding song and dance called "govend" which is serene and solemn, during which the elders of the family dance to the married couple. It has hints of the Balkans throughout its styling and melody - similar to Bulgarian & Macedonian to my ears. Another wonderful song again from a wedding ritual is, "Im Khordik Yar" ("My Beautiful Love") - originating from Western Armenian, now a part of Turkey. Here the main reason I love this CD, it helps keep alive traditional songs and melodies, which would surely otherwise die out. The melodies and voices are touching, passionate, sincere, filled with longing ... nostalgia. Gevorg Gourgeni Dabhaghyan plays the soulful duduk and more lively sounding zurna with masterful precision and passionate understanding of the meaninng and intent of the music ... A master musician in top form provides us with the music of his ancestors and cultural heritage. Divine music! The female vocalist, Hasmik Harutynyan, can rival any of the musical divas of the Balkans and Eastern Europe ... she expresses grace, beauty, unique stylizations and a poetic lyricism with her voice! Another song which evokes a resonance with the melody and lyrics is "Kani Voor Jan Im" ("As Long as I am Alive"). This song expresses the true emotions of the vocalist ... "As long as I am alive, I sacrifice my life to you. I am crying. I am sighint, I agree with your wishes. ... Let me love you and admire you ... In an enchanted garden, I will praise you with my song." We are told that "Shoghaken" means "source of light" and indeed, this CD has brightened my path to appreciating the music of Armenia more fully. The first selection, "Wedding Dance of Karabak" is a gem beyond description. It consists of a very lovely melody played by one zurna, which is accompanied by a second zurna, maintaining the drone. The music itself sounds like a prototype of the bagpipe and indeed could be how bagpipe music originated. I would love to learn the dance which has a special rhythm variations of which are found across the Armenian plateau (the liner notes tell us). This is a true diamond, that shines with the minefield: it emits a light that everyone should experience hearing. Highly recommended for lovers of traditional wind instruments, poetical lyrical verse and Balkan-like rhythms.
Erika Borsos (erikab93)"

A continuing enjoyable anthology

Nicholas J. Wagner | 03/18/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Armenia Anthology is a delightful blend of rich, pleasant, and traditional sounds of Armenia. The Shoghakan Ensemble with the beautiful singing of Hasmik Harutyunyan has provided us with this album of folk songs -- it is one which will be enjoyed and appreciated by You for a long time!"