The Music of Armenia Sampler CD

Nearly 80 minutes playing time, this recording is a complete representation (sampler) of the series, featuring selections from each of the six volumes, seven CDs respectively. The entire Music of Armenia series began as a musical detour while David Parsons was on assignment for Celestial Harmonies' The Music of Islam (19907) series. Fortunately, for our history—and evolution—the lost arts, musically speaking, of this biblical area which has travelled and continues to travel the path of love, hatred and destruction, only to someday be revered and loved again, are superbly recreated and created anew. Covering the geographic area of Armenia, as well as the musical traditions, Parsons discovered the most outstanding traditional music he had ever heard. After listening to the Sacred Choral Music you too will mimic Parsons, whetting your soul's appetite for more. The haunting, emotionally provocative liturgical chants of Sharakan stretch the soul to the depth of remembering—sadly, yet lovingly with hope. Continuing on the wings of hope and time, Duduk and Kanon are largely eloquent instrumental transcriptions of what were originally vocal works, songful and soulful as the first two volumes. Folk Music features songs and dances reflecting Armenia's history and Nagorno-Karabakh brings this musical evolution to the twentieth century featuring contemporary folk music. Naturally, this volume is about the war and its consequences yet maintains and even cultivates its Armenian roots.

the artists

Musician and producer of several lost arts series for Celestial Harmonies, New Zealander David Parsons adds yet another incomparable series, The Music of Armenia. Recreating the classical sacred choral music on Volume One: Sacred Choral Music (13115) is the famous Haissmavourk Choir directed by Mihran Ghazelian.

Volume Two: Medieval Chant (13116) features the acclaimed Sharakan Early Music Ensemble directed by Grigor Danielian, accompanied by several guests artists. Most notably is soprano Anna Mailian, Armenia's finest classical and operatic singer.

Departing from the sacred/classical vocals, in Volume Three: Duduk (13117) Gevorg Dabagian exquisitely demonstrates the versatility and depth of the nearly 1,500 year old double-reed wind instrument duduk, in traditional/folk music.

Volume Four: Kanon (13118) continues with instrumental works featuring the diversity of the zither-like kanon, played by Karineh Hovhannessian. The final volumes focus on the broad folk music of Armenia.

Volume Five: Folk Music (14119) is a voluminous double cd featuring The Shoghaken Folk Ensemble and The Sasun Folk Group.

Volume Six: Nagorno-Karabakh (13121) completes the series of folk music featuring the songs of the war torn Nagorno-Karabakh area performed by numerous laymen who are great virtuosos and remarkable artists.

tracklist
1 Aravot lousaber (Ascending light) from The Music of Armenia, Volume One (13115) 3'15"
2 Sirt im sasani (My heart is trembling) from The Music of Armenia, Volume One (13115) 4'31"
3 Ter voghormya (God forgive us) from The Music of Armenia, Volume One (13115) 5'00"
4 Chinar es (You are a plane tree) from The Music of Armenia, Volume Two (13116) 3'18"
5 Havik (Little bird) from The Music of Armenia, Volume Two (13116) 2'58"
6 Hayr mer (Our Father) from The Music of Armenia, Volume Two (13116) 2'522"
7 Our es mayr im (Mother, where are you?) from The Music of Armenia, Volume Two (13116) 4'18"
8 Akh im champen (Ah, my road) from The Music of Armenia, Volume Three (13117) 3'42"
9 Es gisher, lusnak gisher (Tonight the moon is full) from The Music of Armenia, Volume Three (13117) 3'56"
10 Kamanthcha from The Music of Armenia, Volume Three (13117) 3'01"
11 Vardani mor voghp (Vardans lament) from The Music of Armenia, Volume Four (13118) 2'58"
12 Trapizontsineri par (Armenian dance from Trapizon) from The Music of Armenia, Volume Four (13118) 3'13"
13 Jerani pes (Graceful like a deer) D from The Music of Armenia, Volume Five (14119) 3'14"
14 Medley from The Music of Armenia, Volume Five (14119) 4'44"
15 Armenian Dance from The Music of Armenia, Volume Five (14119) 4'11"
16 Erva yes (I am burned by love) from The Music of Armenia, Volume Five (14119) 3'10"
17 Machkal es (You are Machkal) from The Music of Armenia, Volume Five (14119) 3'26"
18 Zurni trngi (Dance of the zurna) from The Music of Armenia, Volume Five (14119) 3'04"
19 Shushi (1) from The Music of Armenia, Volume Six (13121) 4'11"
20 Kenats yerg (Song of praise) from The Music of Armenia, Volume Six (13121) 3'24"
21 Hayastan (Look at my tears, Armenia) from The Music of Armenia, Volume Six (13121) 3'14"
Total Time: 77'15"