Armenian music is based on the vast system of diatonic stops and surprises with the variety of rhythms .
The peak of folk and professional music falls on the 11th- 13th centuries when Armenia restored its independence. Folk music genres include songs for work, epic, historical and many lyrical songs. Songs of maidens’ fortune-telling and wedding songs are widely represented in the calendar cycle as well as lamentations – wokhbas. Synthetic forms of playing music take a special place in Armenian folklore: various in their metre and rhythm, ratio of a verse and a chorus refrain – dancing songs are different in movement and emotional harmony.
Since 1880-ies active collecting and processing of folk songs take place in West Armenia.
This process of collecting folk music has been taking place up to present days. In this collection the records of folk music in Soviet Armenia of 1960-1980-ies are presented as authentic samples and interpretations.
Solo singing tradition revives in A.Muradjan’s art – in his heartfelt “Song of Mortar”, and also in the song of a pundukhta (a man who leaves his home place in search of a job to support his family ) or in the later song “Behind Our House”.
In the duet of duduk performers we can see widely known practice when the leading part is performed by duduk, a wind instrument with a double reed made of an apricot tree. Often it is called “soul of apricot tree”.
This world fame was brought to this instrument with the velvet timbre by the outstanding musician Dzhivan Gasparjan who continues folk tradition in his creative work.
Many ensembles have interpreted folk dancing melodies; the oldest and the most well known collective is State Armenian Ensemble of Dance and Song. Both the vocal and instrumental compositions that are closer to urban folklore tradition and adapted to wider audience are recorded on this disc.
Armenian folk music is still a spiritual pivot that supports the rich and diverse culture of Armenia.