Armenia is a former Soviet republic in the Caucasus, bordered by Georgia in the north, Azerbaijan in the east, Turkey in the west and Iran in the south. It is in a region between Asia and Europe.
Armenian Music
The duduk double-reed woodwind is Armenia’s most famous musical instrument. It’s made of apricot wood and usually played in pairs. UNESCO proclaimed the Armenian duduk and its music as a Masterpiece of the Intangible Heritage of Humanity in 2005 and inscribed it in 2008. Duduk music has been used in various popular movies, most notably in The Russia House and Gladiator.
The traditional group dance Kochari was inscribed in 2017 on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Kochari is commonly performed throughout Armenia during holidays, festive celebrations, family ceremonies and other social events. It is open to all participants, regardless of age, gender or social status.
Armenian Musicians
Armenian Navy Band
Arsen Petrosyan
Arto Tunçboyaciyan
Jivan Gasparyan
Lucineh Hovanissian
Quartet Dudukner
Shoghaken Ensemble
Armenian Music Recordings
The Music of Armenia (Celestial Harmonies, 1999)
Armenian Music Books
Armenian Music: A Comprehensive Bibliography and Discography by Jonathan McCollum and Andy Nercessian. Scarecrow Press, 2004. ISBN-10: 0810849674, ISBN-13: 978-0810849679.
Music and the Armenian Diaspora: Searching for Home in Exile by Sylvia Angelique Alajaji. Indiana University Press, 2015. ISBN-10: 0253017610, ISBN-13: 978-0253017611.
Armenian Music Articles
Armenian Minstrels and Armenian Echoes, Treasure Trove of Delights
