Various - Arménie: Musique Instrumentale

Ocora - LP
France, 1971 / 1983
Ethnographic / Folk / Traditional 

A favourite on legendary ethnographic French label Ocora: diverse recordings of Armenian folk and classical compositions, ranging from heartbreaking airs and ballads to uplifting dance songs. Duduk, quanoun, shevi & percussions.

Precious recordings supervised by Robert Ataian for the Armenian Public Radio. Ethnographic records are ambivalent documents, as they both operate as a scientific (historical, social) document and a work of art, an LP. What makes this Armenian Instrumental Music LP so special to me concerns that second aspect: the tracklist has been very carefully made, building towards moments of emotions, from the uplifting to the sorrowful. It shares the technical qualities and seriousness of all Ocora releases, but this one really feels like an accomplished folk LP.

As for the music, it is captivating and varied: tense tar or percussion solos, Duduk duets, some other piano and quanoun or shevi duets and popular dances, all recalling the thousands of years old Armenian folklore. (VG+ / VG+)

Tracklist

1. Percussion Solo
   
2. Sayat Nova
3. Payati Chiraz
4. Air Du Berger / Shepherd's Tune
5. Keghart
6. L'Hirondelle / The Swallow
7. O Ma Belle / Oh My Beauty
8. Zankézour / Zankezur
9. Gharapagh
10. La Vie N'Est Qu'Une Fenêtre! / Life Is But A Window!
11. Danse Populaire / Popular Dance
12. Quanoun Et Piano / Quanun And Piano
13. Shévi Et Paino / Shevi And Piano