by Tom "Tearaway"
Schulte
(February 2000)
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In examining the rich music panoply
of Armenian music, I see five divisions. First, there is the pure Armenian
folk music string duo. This consists of oud (lute), kanuna (board zither)
and often percussion from dombak. Also in the folk realm is a separate set
of pure, aboriginal sounds. This is the lonesome and beautiful sounds of the
duduc ensemble. Backed by a droning dam duduc and sometimes dombak
percussion, the soloist on this apricot wood double-reed flute offers world
ambient visions of an ancient, mountainous land. Then we have the rich body
of Armenian liturgical works. This is among the oldest Christian traditions.
The body of masses, sacred choirs and related works is powerful and moving.
A Turkish invasion at the beginning of the Century and resulting Diaspora
both brought outside influence into Armenia, but Armenian influence to a
greater part of the world. A fourth grouping is oud and kunan ensembles
featuring other instruments. This is often clarinet, violin or bouzouki.
Such music is usually influenced by Turkey, Greece, nearby parts of Russia
or other cultures. Many Armenians found themselves in European, American and
Russian cultural centers. There they accrued an education in European
Classical Music traditions but often worked in the familiar themes and
melodies of their homeland. These Armenian-European symphonies and chamber
works make a final set of Armenian music. by Tom "Tearaway"
Schulte |
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