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Winner
of the AFIM/NARM
award CD 4311
"A
better introduction to the fabulous world |
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The Shoghaken Ensemble, founded by Gevorg Dabaghyan in 1991, has become one of the preeminent traditional music ensembles in Armenia. Dedicated to rediscovering and continuing Armenia's extraordinary folk music history, the group presents music from a broad geographical and historical span using traditional instruments and song styles. The ensemble has performed extensively in Europe, Armenia and throughout the former Soviet Union. The group recently performed on the soundtrack of Atom Egoyan's movie Ararat. In the summer of 2002 Shoghaken performed at the Smithsonian Folk Festival in Washington, DC, and in the spring of 2004 the group performed in an 18-concert tour across the US, including concerts at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, Symphony Space in New York and the Annenberg Center in Philadelphia, as well as Harvard University, Cornell University, UC Berkeley and Dartmouth College. |
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"The
now well-known Shoghaken Ensemble...is dedicated to reviving the
richness of Armenian folk music using traditional instruments and
singing styles. Armenia Anthology reflects this with a range of folk
songs, dances and ashugh (minstrel) music from various regions, as
well as with a couple of 20th-century compositions. There are some
real gems: the duduk's expressive tone lifted by the contained excitement
of the dhol (large cylindrical drum) on 'Shorora'; some exhilarating
weddings dances; and a number of strong and solemn work songs. And
it's a particular joy to hear the voice of Hasmik Harutyunyan, one
of Armenia's best-known folk singers, with her rich, fresh and clear
tone, and an ear finely tuned to the local modes." "Hasmik
Harutyunyan's vocals are deeply emotional, while duduk player Gevorg
Dabaghyan often steals the show with his virtuosity." |
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Also listen to new Shoghaken Ensemble releases: |
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All text and audio © 2004 Traditional Crossroads.