Armenian musical folklore

Armenian musical folklore or folk music has been known since ancient times. In Armenian folklore, the use of wedding, ritual, table, work, lullabies, household, game and other songs has become widespread among the people. In Armenian musical folklore, peasant songs “orovels” and songs of “pandukhts” occupy a large place. In different regions of Armenia, the same song was performed differently.

Armenian folk music began to take shape in the 12th century BC. e. along with the language of this ancient nation. Artifacts that indicate that music began to develop here from the 2nd millennium BC. e. are musical instruments found by archaeologists.

Great Komitas

Scientific folkloristics of the Armenian people, Armenian folk music is closely connected with the name of the great composer, ethnographer, folklorist, musicologist, singer, choirmaster and flautist – the immortal Komitas. Having cleansed Armenian music of foreign elements, he introduced the original music of Armenians to the whole world for the first time.

He collected, processed, and recorded many folk songs. Among them is such a famous song as “Antuni” (the song of the wanderer), where he represents the image of a martyr – a pandukht (wanderer), who is cut off from his homeland and finds death in a foreign land. “Krunk” is another popular song, a great example of folk music.

Ashugi, gusans

Armenian folklore is very rich in famous representatives of folk music, ashugs (singer-poets), gusans (Armenian folk singers). One of these representatives is Sayat-Nova. The Armenian people call him the “King of Songs.” He had a wonderful voice. In the work of the Armenian poet and musician, social and love lyrics occupy one of the central places. Sayat-Nova’s songs are performed by famous singers, Charles and Seda Aznavour, Tatevik Hovhannisyan and many others.

Magnificent examples of Armenian music were composed by ashugs and gusans of the 19th-20th centuries. These include Avasi, Sheram, Jivani, Gusan Shaen and others.

The theory and history of Armenian folk music was studied by the Soviet composer, musicologist, folklorist S. A. Melikyan. The great composer recorded more than 1 thousand Armenian folk songs.

Folk musical instruments

The world-famous Armenian musician, Jivan Gasparyan, masterfully playing the duduk, spread Armenian folklore throughout the world. He introduced all of humanity to a wonderful folk musical instrument – the Armenian duduk, which is made of apricot wood. The musician has conquered and continues to conquer the world with his performances of Armenian folk songs.

Nothing can convey the feelings, experiences and emotions of the Armenian people better than duduk music. Duduk music is a masterpiece of the oral heritage of mankind. This is what UNESCO recognized. Other folk musical instruments are dhol (percussion instrument), bambir, kemani, keman (bowed instruments). The famous ashug Jivani played the keman.

Armenian folklore also had a great influence on the development of sacred and classical music.

Listen to Armenian folk music and you will get great pleasure.