Music of Armenia

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Matenadaran M6288, Female troubadour with saz, Horomos, Ani, 1211 Part of a series on the

Culture of Armenia
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The music of Armenia (Armenian: հայկական երաժշտություն haykakan yerazhshtut’yun) has its origins in the Armenian highlands, dating back to the 3rd millennium BCE,[1][2] and is a long-standing musical tradition that encompasses diverse secular and religious, or sacred, music (such as the sharakan Armenian chant and taghs, along with the indigenous khaz musical notation).[1][2][3] Folk music was notably collected and transcribed by Komitas Vardapet, a prominent composer and musicologist, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, who is also considered the founder of the modern Armenian national school of music.[4][5] Armenian music has been presented internationally by numerous artists, such as composers Aram Khachaturian, Alexander Arutiunian, Arno Babajanian, Haig Gudenian, and Karen Kavaleryan as well as by traditional performers such as duduk player Djivan Gasparyan.[1]

## Melodic basis

[edit]

Armenian scale

Traditional Armenian folk music as well as Armenian church music is not based on the European tonal system but on a system of tetrachords.[6] The last note of one tetrachord also serves as the first note of the next tetrachord – which makes a lot of Armenian folk music more or less based on a theoretically endless scale.

Armenian music manuscript with Khaz neumes, 12th century (Matenadaran)

Khaz is an Armenian neume, one of a set of special signs (khazes) constituting the traditional system of musical notation that has been used to transcribe Armenian music (mostly religious Armenian music) since the 8th century.[7][8]

## Folk music

[edit]

Matenadaran, manuscript no. 346, p., 280a. Musician with saz in hand

Armenia has had a long tradition of folk music since antiquity. During the Soviet era, Armenian folk music was taught in state-sponsored conservatoires. In 1978, influential kanon player and composer Khachatur Avetisyan founded the folk music department of the Komitas State Conservatory of Yerevan. Traditional instruments include the qamancha, kanon (box zither), dhol (double-headed hand drum, see davul), oud (lute), duduk, zurna, blul, sring, shvi, pku, parkapzuk, tar, dmblak, bambir, and to a lesser degree the saz. Other instruments often used include the violin and clarinet. The duduk is considered to be Armenia's national instrument, and among its well-known performers are Margar Margaryan, Levon Madoyan, Vache Hovsepyan, Gevorg Dabaghyan, and Yeghish Manukyan, as well as Armenia's most famous contemporary duduk player, Djivan Gasparyan.[9]

Notable performers of folk music include vocalists such as Armenak Shahmuradyan, Ofelya Hambardzumyan, Vagharshak Sahakyan, Araksia Gyulzadyan, Varduhi Khachatryan, Norayr Mnatsakanyan, Hovhannes Badalyan, Hayrik Muradyan, Valya Samvelyan, Rima Saribekyan, Raffi Hovhannisyan, Avak Petrosyan, Papin Poghosyan, and Flora Martirosian.

There are also several Armenian folk ensembles, the Shoghaken Folk Ensemble, founded in 1995 in Yerevan,[10] and others such as the Arev Armenian Folk Ensemble.

### Gusan and Ashugh art

[edit]

Matenadaran, manuscript showing group of musicians, 16th–17th centuries

In ancient and medieval Armenia, the gusans (Armenian: գուսան) were the creative and performing artists – singers, instrumentalists, dancers, storytellers, and professional folk actors in public theaters. The word gusan is first mentioned in early Armenian texts of the 5th century AD, such as Faustus of Byzantium, Moses of Chorene, and others. In the early Middle Ages the word gusan was used as an equivalent to the classical Greek word mimos (mime). There were 2 groups of gusans: the first were from aristocratic dynasties (feudal lords) and performed as professional musicians; the second group comprised popular, but illiterate gusans.

The gusans were both criticized and praised, particularly in medieval Armenia. The adoption of Christianity had its influence upon Armenian minstrelsy, gradually altering its ethical and ideological orientation. The center of the gusans was the Goghtn gavar (canton), a region in the Vaspurakan province of Greater Armenia that bordered the province of Syunik.

During the late Middle Ages, gusans were succeeded by popular, semi-professional musicians called ashughs (Armenian: աշուղ), who played instruments like the kamancha and saz. Sayat-Nova, an 18th-century ashugh and poet, is revered in Armenia. Other Armenian ashughs include Jivani, Sheram, Shirin [hy], Shahen [hy], Havasi [hy], and Ashot [hy]

### Folk music in the Armenian diaspora

[edit]

Armenian folk musicians

Descendants of survivors of the Armenian genocide, originally from Western Armenia, and Armenian emigrants from other parts of the Middle East have settled in various countries, especially in the California Central Valley. The second- and third-generation artists, such as Richard Hagopian, an oud-player associated with the kef tradition of Armenian-American music have kept their folk traditions alive.[11][12] This dance-oriented style of Armenian music, using Armenian and Middle Eastern folk instruments (often electrified/amplified) and some Western instruments, preserved the folk songs and dances of Western Armenia. Many artists also played the contemporary popular songs of cosmopolitan Turkey and other Middle Eastern countries from which the Armenians emigrated (termed surjaran or café aman, meaning cafeteria), on the Eight Avenue of Manhattan, New York City.[13] Bands such as the Vosbikian Band of Philadelphia were notable in the 1940s and 1950s for developing their own style of "kef music", heavily influenced by the popular American big band jazz of the time.[14] Another oud player, John Berberian, is notable in particular for his fusions of traditional music with rock and jazz in the 1960s.

In the Lebanese and Syrian diaspora, George Tutunjian, Karnig Sarkissian and others performed Armenian revolutionary songs, which quickly became popular among the Armenian Diaspora, notably ARF supporters. In Tehran, Iran, the folk music of the Armenian community is characterized by the work of Nikol Galanderian (1881–1946) and the Goghtan Choir.[14]

### Hayrens

[edit]

Main article: Hayren

Hayren is a form of traditional Armenian poetry. Hayrens are typically composed of four lines with each of the four lines containing 15 syllables. Each line divides into two half-lines that consist of seven and eight syllables. Some of this structure has been lost in translation, and the poems are best appreciated in the Armenian language. This form of poetry dates back to medieval Armenia and has been used by various poets and writers throughout history. The content of hayrens can vary, covering topics such as love, satire, or lessons in morality.[15][16]

### Examples of Armenian folk music

[edit]

See also: Armenian dance

A part of Kochari

Armenian folk music often accompanies Armenian folk dances, which vary significantly across regions. Most of the folk songs/dances have ancient or medieval origins.[17][18]

The most popular Armenian folk songs/dances are Kochari, Shalakho, Yarkhushta, Berd, Tamzara, Lorke, Sari Aghjik, and Uzundara.

Another example is Mokats Mirza, a medieval folk song.

## Religious music

[edit]

Medieval Armenian hymnaire, 1332

See also: Armenian chant, Ktsord, and Tagh

Armenian religious (or sacred) music, which is predominantly vocal, is one of the oldest branches of Christian culture, and was introduced after the Christianization of Armenia in 301 AD. Armenian chant, composed in one of eight modes, is the most common kind of religious music in Armenia. It is written in khaz, a form of indigenous musical notation. Many of these chants are ancient in origin, extending to pre-Christian times, while others are relatively modern, including several composed by Saint Mesrop Mashtots, who also invented the Armenian alphabet. Some of the best performers of these chants, or sharakans, reside at the Holy Cathedral of Etchmiadzin, and include the late soprano Lusine Zakaryan.

Makar Yekmalyan (1856–1905) composed the Patarag, the setting of the Armenian Apostolic Church's Divine Liturgy, which he completed in 1892 in several arrangements and was first published in Leipzig in 1896. This arrangement of the liturgy incorporated polyphonic and homophonic vocal parts into the structure of the Liturgy and saw it be notated in its entirety. This would influence the compositional approach of Komitas, who was Yekmalian's student (along with the works of Kristapor Kara-Murza) and would also see him introduce polyphony with his version of the Liturgy at the end of the 19th century.[19]

## Classical music

[edit]

The Armenian Orchestra of Adana, 1902–1906

Armenian classical composers of Ottoman classical music include Kemani Tatyos Ekserciyan (1858–1913), music theorist Hampartsoum Limondjian (1768–1839) who developed the influential "Hamparsum" notation system, and Bimen Şen Der Ghazarian (1873–1913).

Alexander Spendiarov (1871–1928), Armen Tigranian (1879–1950), and Haro Stepanian are best known for their Armenian operas. Sargis Barkhudaryan (1887–1973) and Garo Zakarian (1895–1967) are representative composers of the pre- and early Soviet Armenian era. The most famous, however, was Aram Khatchaturian (1903–1978), internationally well-known especially for his music for various ballets and the immortal Sabre Dance from his composition for the ballet Gayane. Gevorg Armenyan (1920–2005), Anahit Tsitsikian (1926–1999), Arno Babajanian (1921–1983), Barseg Kanatchian (1885–1967), Edward Mirzoyan (1921–2012), Boris Parsadanian (1925–1997), Ashot Zohrabyan (b. 1945), Aram Satian (b. 1947), and Vartan Adjemian (b. 1956) represent other Soviet-era Armenian composers. Iosif Andriasov's (1933–2000) was an influential composer-symphonist, a moral philosopher, and a teacher. Alexander Arutiunian (1920–2012) is best known for his Trumpet Concerto in A-flat major. Alexander Dolukhanian (1910–1968) composed or arranged numerous Armenian songs, including the well-known "Swallow". Alexander Adjemian (1925–1987), Ashot Satian (1906–1958) and Vagarshak Kotoyan (1921–1992) are known for their contributions to Armenian choral and vocal music. Eduard Abramian (1923–1986) wrote songs on the poetry of Armenian poets Hovhannes Tumanyan and Avetik Isahakian which are now part of the standard repertoire. Artemi Ayvazyan (1902–1975) wrote the first Soviet musical comedies, including the popular "Dentist from the Orient". In recent years, Avet Terterian (1929–1994), Tigran Mansurian (b. 1939), Vache Sharafyan (b. 1966) and Aram Petrosyan (b. 1972) have achieved global success. Another acclaimed, more recent, classical composer is Khachatur Avetissian (1926–1996), many of whose compositions are based on traditional folklore themes. Uruguayan-Armenian composer Coriún Aharonián (1940–2017), besides a notable body of avant-garde compositions has done extensive musicological and political work. The Armenian nationalist composer Alexander Kaloian (b. 1962) is known for his overtly nationalistic works for military band and orchestra including marches, tone poems and symphonies immediately recognizable as "Armenian" in their color.[20]

Aram Khachaturian with Armenian composers and musicians in Dilijan

In classical music, many Armenian singers have gained worldwide recognition: sopranos Gohar Gasparyan, Sona Ghazarian, Arpine Pehlivanian, Lucine Amara, Cathy Berberian and, more recently, Isabel Bayrakdarian and Anna Kasyan, mezzo-soprano Tatevik Sazandaryan, tenors Tigran Levonyan, Gegham Grigoryan, and Vahan Mirakyan; basses Ara Berberian, and Henrik Alaverdian, as well as the bass-baritone Barsegh Toumanian.

Cadence Ensemble is an Armenian musical ensemble formed in February 2004 by five classically trained musicians. Initially specialising on works by Argentinian composer Astor Piazzolla, they later included a wider repertoire of American, Armenian, Russian and other European classical and contemporary classical music.[21]

In the diaspora, Armenian musicians such as pianist Şahan Arzruni, violinists Manoug Parikian and Levon Chilingirian, and composers such as Alan Hovhaness have reached international fame.

Armenian-American composer John Hodian created "Songs of Exile", new music based on poetry by the medieval Armenian painter, poet and priest Mkrtich Naghash. With three female vocalists, duduk, oud, dhol and piano, The Naghash Ensemble has been touring internationally since 2014. Their music has been described as a hybrid of "classical music, jazz, folk and post-minimalism" by the German radio station BR Klassik. Scott Giles (b. 1965) is an Armenian-American known for his many symphonies and concertos. Armenian-Canadian composer Vahram Sargsyan (b. 1981) represents the younger generation of Armenian contemporary composers who is mostly known for his choral compositions.[22]

## Jazz

[edit]

Main article: Armenian jazz

The first jazz band of Yerevan was founded in 1936. Soviet jazz was developed by Armenians such as Artemi Ayvazyan, who founded the Armenian State Estrada Orchestra in 1938. Notable performers in the vocal genre have been: Georgi Minasian, Artashes Avetyan, and Levon Sevan, as well as the aforementioned Elvina Makaryan and Datevik Hovanesian. Tigran Hamasyan is a Gyumri-born contemporary jazz pianist who is strongly influenced by the Armenian folk tradition, often using its scales and modalities.

## Popular music

[edit]

### Pop music

[edit]

Armenian popular songs have been performed by famous Soviet-era performers such as Ruben Matevosyan, Ofelya Hambardzumyan, Varduhi Khachatryan, and Papin Poghosyan. Suzan Yakar and Udi Hrant Kenkulian were famous cabaret performers in Turkey during the 1920s and 1930s.[23] Other representatives of Soviet-era and modern Armenian pop music include Bella Darbinyan, Raisa Mkrtchyan, and the more contemporary vocal performers such as Elvina Makaryan, Erna Yuzbashyan, Nadezhda Sargsyan, Zara Tonikyan, Syuzan Margaryan, and Datevik Hovanesian. Armenian male pop performers include Ruben Hakhverdyan and diasporan artists Adiss Harmandian, Paul Baghdadlian, Manuel Menengichian and Maxim Panossian. Harout Pamboukjian is a widely popular Soviet Armenian-born singer that currently lives in Los Angeles.[14]

In the 2000s, pop singers such as Sirusho and André represented Armenia in the Eurovision Song Contest. Other popular pop singers include Hasmik Karapetyan, Arsen Safaryan, and Arsen Grigoryan.

#### Rabiz music

[edit]

Main article: Rabiz (music genre)

Rabiz (Armenian: ռաբիզ), or rabis, is a genre of Armenian popular music and a subculture, distinguished by its lyrics and dance-oriented synthesized melodies in 6
8 time signature with elements of Armenian folk music.[24] Despite the term's widespread use, the etymology or definition of the word "rabiz" is not clearly understood. According to some sources it stems from the Russian phrase "работники искусства" (rabotniki iskusstva) used during Soviet times, meaning "Art Workers", in reference to unions which specialized in new music composition.[25]

Played by musicians such as Tatul Avoyan and Hayk Ghevondyan (better known as Spitakci Hayko), rabiz music is also widely popular among by Armenian diasporan communities in Los Angeles and Russia.[24] A subgenre of rabiz music, called "kef" (unrelated to the homonymous Armenian-American kef music),[11] concerns romantic love or partying, but also love of family or patriotism.[24]

> The musical language of the rabiz, being a blend of several musical traditions (primarily Armenian national music, called ashug. [Bardic-style] and Eastern in the style of the makam [classical court music]), it is marked by delicate Eastern harmony and an abundance of melisinas, which allow the musician to achieve the desired effect by purely musical means.[26]

Rabiz music has recently seen unexpected international commercial success, especially in Turkey, with "Mi Gna" by Armenian American rapper Super Sako, which features Hayk Ghevondyan, hitting No. 1 on a Shazam Top 100 list and its video garnering over 190 million views on YouTube.[27][28]

### Rock

[edit]

Main article: Armenian rock

Among the rock bands of the older generation were the Arakyalner ("Apostles") of Arthur Meschian,[29] Vostan Hayots, Ayas, and Arevatsaq. Contemporary Armenian rock bands include Sard, Bambir 2, Vordan Karmir, Dogma, Reincarnation, and alternative rock band The Beautified Project. Armenian Progressive Metal bands have also appeared in the Armenian music scene in recent Years with bands like Dorians (band), and Armenian Space Station.[30]

### Hip hop

[edit]

Hip hop music in Armenia is popular primarily amongst the youth. One of the notable Armenian hip hop bands of the 2000s was Hay Tgheq (Հայ տղեք "Armenian guys"), founded in 2001. Following the band's dissolution, members Misho and HT Hayko started their own solo careers. The most popular Armenian language hip hop song has been regarded as the 2006 song "Qami Pchi" by the now defunct group HAYQ, composed by Hayk Apricota ( Hayk Harutyunyan), produced by DerHova. In the diaspora, Glendale, California-based rapper R-Mean gained popularity amongst the Armenian community with the song "Open Wounds," which commemorates the Armenian genocide, and started the movement "Open Wounds 1915". Other Armenian rap groups were formed in Germany, such as Armenios, which was founded in Germany by A-Shot, ArmoX & 15Volt. In the 2010s, Armenian-American rapper Super Sako's aforementioned single "Mi Gna" achieved worldwide commercial success and was remixed in over 10 languages and by international artists, such as Maitre Gims (France), Balti (Morocco), and DJ Pantelis (Greece).

## Armenian musicians from the Diaspora

[edit]

There is a large number of musicians of Armenian descent or origin but living (or born) outside of Armenia.

In France, the artist Charles Aznavour (born Aznavourian), of Armenian descent, has been known for his shows and songs over the course of decades.[31] System of a Down, an internationally popular alternative metal band from the United States, was formed by Daron Malakian, Serj Tankian, Shavo Odadjian and John Dolmayan, all of whom are of Armenian American descent. Tankian has also released several solo albums with political and socially conscious content. Occasional SOAD collaborator Arto Tunçboyacıyan is a well known Turkish musician of Armenian descent, who is famous in Turkey and worldwide, and currently has his own jazz club in Yerevan, Armenia. He was the founder of the Armenian Navy Band [Wikidata].

Keyboardist Derek Sherinian is a well-known rock keyboardist who has played with Alice Cooper, Kiss, and Dream Theater, amongst others. Andy Madadian is an Iranian Armenian artist, and Vigen Derderian is an Iranian Armenian jazz and pop singer. Armik, an Iranian Armenian flamenco guitarist and composer, is a well-known virtuoso of the new flamenco genre. Armenian-American multi-instrumentalist Danny Bedrosian has been the main keyboardist for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame-inducted band, George Clinton's Parliament-Funkadelic (also known as P-Funk), since 2003. George Mgrdichian, born and raised in New York City, was an Armenian American musician who played several instruments in the jazz genre, including the oud and clarinet.[32]

André Manoukian is a French songwriter and jazz pianist of Armenian descent. He served as a judge on the French version of Pop Idol, Nouvelle Star, for 12 seasons. In 2015, he accompanied Syrian-Armenian singer Lena Chamamyan in the production of modern renditions of Armenian folk songs such as Sareri Hovin Mernem and Moutn'er.[33]

Lena Chamamyan is a Syrian-Armenian singer-songwriter who has become famous for her modernized jazz renditions of traditional Arabic and Armenian folk songs.[34] In 2014, she served as a jury member in "Tsovits Tsov – ArmVision 2014", an international contest for Armenian music at the Kremlin Theatre in Moscow.[35]

Armenian-American Taline and Friends group have played a major role in developing Armenian language skills for children worldwide since the early 1990s.[36]

Other Armenian musicians include Ara Topouzian who performs on the kanon and VANArmenya,[37] who sings both folk, children's and patriotic songs, performs on keyboards, and promotes the music of "the other Gomidas," Grikor Mirzaian Suni.[38]

## Armenian musical instruments: etymological origins

[edit]

Date not known. Medieval Armenian cup with scene of a harper and a woman, surrounded by animals as he plays.

The etymology of Armenian musical instrument names offers insights into the ancient linguistic and cultural exchanges that have shaped the Armenian lexicon. Armenian musical terminology draws from three primary linguistic layers: Native Armenian Origins: Terms of Indo-European heritage or composed in Armenian from 5th–4th millennia BCE. Late Indo-European and Mediterranean/European Substrate: Words adopted from neighboring cultures around the 3rd–2nd millennia BCE. Loanwords from Neighboring Languages: Borrowed from languages such as Caucasian, Anatolian, Hurrian, Urartian, Semitic, and Iranian, dating from the 2nd–1st millennia BCE to the present.

### Instrument 1: knt–nt–ocʻ, knt–knt–ocʻ, ktnt–ocʻ (‘plectrum’)

[edit]

Historical Usage: In classical Armenian texts by Philo, Gregory of Nyssa, Anania, and Vardan Arewelcʻi, the term kntntocʻ described a 'plectrum', evolving in Modern Armenian to mean a 'violin bow'. Linguistic Analysis: Ačaṙyan attributed this term to the onomatopoeic sounds kn and tn. Jahukyan also treated it as onomatopoeic, viewing it as a reduplication. Cross-Linguistic Comparison: This term appears similar to Baltic and Slavic roots, such as Lithuanian gaũsti and Slavic gǫsti, suggesting a shared origin or influence in ancient Eurasian languages.

### Instrument 2: ǰnar (‘lyre, harp, cithara’)

[edit]

Historical Context and Usage: Used in ancient Armenian literature (such as Severian of Gabala and Grigor Narekac‘i), ǰnar denotes various stringed instruments. Possible Hattic and Greek Origins: Some scholars link ǰnar to the Hattic zinar–, while others propose a connection to Greek κιθάρα (lyre). This could indicate a Mediterranean–Pontic cultural loanword, stemming from a theoretical proto-form ghindhara. Related Words: The Armenian k‘nar is similarly associated with Semitic terms like Aramaic kinnārā and Hebrew kinnōr, possibly indicating a cultural and linguistic exchange through Iranian intermediaries.

### Instrument 3: sruil (‘musical instrument’)

[edit]

Historical Usage: The term sruil appears in texts by Ephrem the Syrian. Etymology and Linguistic Challenges: Originally derived from the Indo-European su̯er– (to resound), the word poses phonological challenges. Alternative theories suggest an Iranian root, possibly related to the Iranian word for 'horn' (sruuā– in Avestan). Related Terms: The term sruak ('vial' or 'cruet') in Armenian might also derive from an Iranian source, showing the influence of neighboring cultures on Armenian musical vocabulary.

## Samples

[edit]

* Recording of "Erivan bachem arer", an Armenian-American folk song from the Library of Congress' California Gold: Northern California Folk Music from the Thirties Collection; performed a cappella by Ruben J. Baboyan on 16 April 1939 in Fresno, California

## See also

[edit]

* Armenian culture
* Armenian dance
* Armenian opera
* Armenian lullabies

## References

[edit]

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2. ^ a b Pahlevanian, Alina; Kerovpyan, Aram; Sarkisyan, Svetlana. Armenia, Republic of (Armenian Hayastan). Oxford Music Online. Retrieved 8 August 2020.
3. ^ "Armenian chant – vocal music – Britannica". Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved 8 August 2020.
4. ^ "Komitas – Armenian composer – Britannica". Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved 8 August 2020.
5. ^ At'ayan, Robert; Nersessian, Vrej N. (19 November 2013). Armenian Neume System of Notation: Study and Analysis. Routledge. p. 273\. ISBN 978-1136801495. Retrieved 8 August 2020.
6. ^ "Articles of Komitas about church music". Komitas.am. Retrieved 28 September 2012.
7. ^ Vahan Kurkjian (1958) A History of Armenia, chapter XLV: "Armenian Music Secular and Religious"
8. ^ Armenian Neume System of Notation: Study and Analysis (2013) chapter 2: "Ancient Armenian manuscripts and their significance for the study of musical khaz notation" google books preview
9. ^ Nercessian, Andy (28 August 2001). The Duduk and National Identity in Armenia. Scarecrow Press. ISBN 9781461672722.
10. ^ "Shoghaken Ensemble history on "Road To Armeania"". Road-to-armenia.com. Retrieved 28 September 2012.
11. ^ a b Kezelian, Harry (25 July 2019). "Kef Music – the Jazz of Armenian People". The Armenian Mirror-Spectator. Retrieved 8 August 2020.
12. ^ "Oud Great Richard Hagopian to Perform at Abril Bookstore on Feb. 22". The Armenian Mirror-Spectator. 13 February 2020. Retrieved 8 August 2020.
13. ^ Koskoff, Ellen (2005). Music Cultures in the United States: An Introduction. Routledge. pp. 288–294\. ISBN 1135888809. Retrieved 8 August 2020.288-294&rft.pub=Routledge&rft.date=2005&rft.isbn=1135888809&rft.aulast=Koskoff&rft.aufirst=Ellen&rft_id=https://books.google.com/books?id=_nuVNAaMMzAC&pg;=PA291&rfr_id=info:sid/en.wikipedia.org:Music+of+Armenia" class="Z3988">
14. ^ a b c Alajaji, Sylvia Angelique (2015). Music and the Armenian Diaspora: Searching for Home in Exile. Indiana University Press. ISBN 978-0253017765. Retrieved 8 August 2020.
15. ^ Kʻuchʻak, Nahapet (2019). Haryur u mek hayren = A hundred and one hayrens. ṚHH hrat. ISBN 978-9939-67-236-6. OCLC 1193194028.
16. ^ Kʻuchʻak, Nahapet (1984). Come sit beside me and listen to Koutchag : Medieval Armenian poems of Nahabed Kouchag. Ashod Press. OCLC 644013600.
17. ^ Хачатрян Ж. Шалахо // Армянская советская энциклопедия (арм.). — Ер.: Академия наук АрмССР, 1982. — Т. 8. — С. 413.
18. ^ "Yarkhushta". karinfolk.am. Karin folk-dance group. Archived from the original on 4 January 2015.
19. ^ Soulahian Kuyumjian, Rita (2001). Archeology of Madness: Komitas, Portrait of an Armenian Icon (2 ed.). Reading, England; Princeton, NJ: Taderon Press (Gomidas Institute). pp. 29–30\. ISBN 1903656109. Retrieved 9 August 2020.29-30&rft.edition=2&rft.pub=Taderon+Press+(Gomidas+Institute)&rft.date=2001&rft.isbn=1903656109&rft.aulast=Soulahian+Kuyumjian&rft.aufirst=Rita&rft_id=https://books.google.com/books?id=pZIwJWLuqb4C&q;=29&pg;=PA29&rfr_id=info:sid/en.wikipedia.org:Music+of+Armenia" class="Z3988">
20. ^ "firstedition.com". firstedition.com. Archived from the original on 22 July 2012. Retrieved 28 September 2012.
21. ^ Gharibyan, Lusine (6 January 2024). "Cadence: Ensemble established for one concert, but onstage for 20 years". mediamax.am. Retrieved 7 January 2024.
22. ^ Vahram Sargsyan at Classical Connect
23. ^ "Udi Hrant Kenkulian". PointCulture.be. Retrieved 3 September 2019.
24. ^ a b c Leupold, David (1 September 2018). "The Echoes of the Disappeared: Rabiz Music as a Reverberation of Armenian-Azerbaijani Cohabitation". Caucasus Edition. Retrieved 8 August 2020.
25. ^ Bretèque, Estelle Amy de la (2012). Biliarsky, Ivan; Cristea, Ovidiu; Oroveanu, Anca (eds.). The Balkans and Caucasus: Parallel Processes on the Opposite Sides of the Black Sea. Cambridge Scholars Publishing. p. 327\. ISBN 978-1443837057. Retrieved 8 August 2020.
26. ^ Soviet anthropology and archeology: Volume 29. International Arts and Sciences Press. 1990. p. 41.
27. ^ "'Mi Gna' by Armenian rapper Super Sako becomes top hit in Turkey". armenpress.am. Retrieved 11 September 2017.
28. ^ Super Sako (17 August 2016), Super Sako "Mi Gna" – ft: Hayko HIT, archived from the original on 12 December 2021, retrieved 14 September 2017
29. ^ [1] Archived 28 May 2010 at the Wayback Machine
30. ^ "Third Eye Gathering Celebrates Arts, Music @ the Roxy". 14 April 2010.
31. ^ "Armenya.com". Armenya.com. Archived from the original on 26 June 2012. Retrieved 28 September 2012.
32. ^ "George Mgrdichian | Biography & History | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
33. ^ "André Manoukian fait revivre la musique de ses ancêtres". La Provence. 7 May 2016. Retrieved 21 September 2021.
34. ^ "Lena Chamamyan". The Aurora Humanitarian Initiative. Retrieved 16 September 2021.
35. ^ "Tsovits Tsov unites global Armenian talent through its musical heritage". Music of Armenia. 24 November 2014. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
36. ^ Taline and Friends at St Sarkis, By Nina Smith, St. Sarkis Armenian Orthodox Church, 2015
37. ^ "VANARMENYA: Tebi Moush-Sasoun". CD Baby. Retrieved 28 September 2012.
38. ^ The Suni Project: Music Preservation

* Hagopian, Harold. "The Sorrowful Sound". 2000. In: Broughton, Simon & Ellingham, Mark, with McConnachie, James and Duane, Orla (eds.), World Music, Vol. 1: Africa, Europe and the Middle East, pp. 332–337. London: Rough Guides Ltd, Penguin Books. ISBN 1-85828-636-0

## External links

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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Music of Armenia.

* Armenian National Music
* Armenian Music Library (Mp3 Version)

### Videos

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* Shoghaken Ensemble live performance, April 21, 2004

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Armenia articles

History
(timeline)|

| Early|

* Origins
* Name
* Shulaveri–Shomu culture
* Kura–Araxes culture
* Hayk
* Hayasa-Azzi
* Mitanni
* Nairi
* Mushki
* Urumeans
* Diauehi
* Etiuni
* Kingdom of Urartu
* Median kingdom
* Orontid dynasty
* Achaemenid Empire
* Satrapy of Armenia
* Kingdom of Armenia
* Roman Armenia
* Parthian Empire
* Byzantine Armenia
* Sasanian Armenia

|

Middle|

* Arminiya
* Sajids
* Bagratid Armenia
* Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia
* Sallarids
* Ilkhanate
* Chobanids
* Aq Qoyunlu
* Kara Koyunlu
* Ottoman Armenia
* 1508–1828 Iranian Armenia
* Safavid Iran
* Afsharid Iran
* Qajar Iran
* Erivan Khanate
* Karabakh Khanate
* Treaty of Turkmenchay
* Russian Armenia

Modern|

* First Republic of Armenia
* Soviet Armenia
* Independent Armenia

By topic|

* Armenian genocide
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* Armenian national movement
* more...

Geography|

* Ararat Plain
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* Cities
* Climate
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* Extreme points
* Lake Sevan
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* Rivers
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Politics|

* Administrative divisions
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* on politics

Economy|

* Agriculture
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* Central Bank
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Transport|

* South Caucasus Railway

Culture|

* Alphabet
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Religion|

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Symbols|

* Armenian Cross
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* Coat of arms
* Flag
* Mount Ararat
* National anthem
* Apricot
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* Pomegranate

* Outline
* Index

* Category

* v
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Armenian musical instruments

Percussion instruments|

Dhol
Dap
Dmblak

Wind instruments|

* Duduk
* Zurna
* Shvi
* Blul
* Sring
* Pku
* Parkapzuk
* Tulum

String instruments|

Kanon
Barbat
Kamancha
Kamani
Tar
Bağlama
Oud
Santur
Zagan
Tavigh
Pandir
Bambir

See also|

* Music of Armenia

* v
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* e

Music of Asia

Sovereign states|

* Afghanistan
* Armenia
* Azerbaijan
* Bahrain
* Bangladesh
* Bhutan
* Brunei
* Cambodia
* China
* Cyprus
* Egypt
* Georgia
* India
* Indonesia
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* North Korea
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* Pakistan
* Philippines
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* Russia
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* Singapore
* Sri Lanka
* Syria
* Tajikistan
* Thailand
* Timor-Leste (East Timor)
* Turkey
* Turkmenistan
* United Arab Emirates
* Uzbekistan
* Vietnam
* Yemen

States with
limited recognition|

* Abkhazia
* Northern Cyprus
* Palestine
* South Ossetia
* Taiwan

Dependencies and
other territories|

* British Indian Ocean Territory
* Christmas Island
* Cocos (Keeling) Islands
* Hong Kong
* Macau

* Category
* Asia portal

* v
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* e

Music of Europe

Sovereign states|

* Albania
* Andorra
* Armenia
* Austria
* Azerbaijan
* Belarus
* Belgium
* Bosnia and Herzegovina
* Bulgaria
* Croatia
* Cyprus
* Czech Republic
* Denmark
* Estonia
* Finland
* France
* Georgia
* Germany
* Greece
* Hungary
* Iceland
* Ireland
*   * Italy
* Kazakhstan
* Latvia
* Liechtenstein
* Lithuania
* Luxembourg
* Malta
* Moldova
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* Montenegro
* Netherlands
* North Macedonia
* Norway
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* Portugal
* Romania
* Russia
* San Marino
* Serbia
* Slovakia
* Slovenia
* Spain
* Sweden
* Switzerland
* Turkey
* Ukraine
* United Kingdom
* Vatican City

States with limited
recognition|

* Abkhazia
* Kosovo
* Northern Cyprus
* South Ossetia
* Transnistria

Dependencies and
other entities|

* Åland
* Faroe Islands
* Gibraltar
* Guernsey
* Isle of Man
* Jersey
* Svalbard

* v
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* e

Folk and indigenous music

Music on the World Register of Intangible Cultural Heritage

Types and
subgenres|

| By subject or function|

* Ballads
* Child
* Murder
* Carols
* Christmas carol
* Koliadka
* Children's
* Dance music
* Drinking song
* Love song
* Protest song
* Anti-war song
* Sea shanties
* Sporting song
* War songs
* Work song

|

Fusions|

* American primitive guitar
* Anti-folk
* Bluegrass
* Country folk
* Dangdut
* Koplo
* Filk music
* Folk baroque
* Folk jazz
* Folk-pop
* Folk rock
* Folk metal
* Celtic metal
* Medieval metal
* Folk punk
* Celtic punk
* Celtic rock
* Celtic metal
* Celtic punk
* Folktronica
* Indie folk
* Industrial folk
* Medieval folk rock
* Medieval metal
* Muiñeira
* Neofolk
* Nerd-folk
* Psychedelic folk
* Freak folk
* New Weird America
* Progressive folk
* Raï
* Skiffle
* Tamang Selo
* Vallenato
* Xẩm

Regional
traditions|

| North America|

* Central America
* Mexican
* Corrido
* Son calentano
* Son jarocho
* Son huasteco
* Tierra Caliente
* Yaqui
* Panamanian

| Indigenous North
American|

* Canadian
* Arapaho
* Blackfeet
* Dene
* Innu
* Inuit
* Iroquois
* Kiowa
* Kwakwaka'wakw
* Métis
* Navajo
* Pueblo
* Seminole
* Sioux
* Yaqui
* Yuman

|

American|

* Appalachian
* Old-time
* Folk revival (1950s–60s)
* Hawaiian
* New Mexico
* Red Dirt
* Tejano
* Western

| African-American|

* Blues
* Jazz
* Dixieland
* Jug
* Ragtime
* Spirituals

|

Country|

* Americana
* Roots rock
* Bluegrass
* Country folk
* Country pop
* Country rock
* Honky-tonk
* Rockabilly
* Southern soul
* Western swing

Canadian|

* Canadian fiddle
* Indigenous
* Dene
* Innu
* Inuit
* Métis
* by ethnocultural group
* Celtic
* French
* by region
* Prairies
* Québécois
* Quebec fiddle
* Néo-trad
* Maritime
* Cape Breton fiddling

Caribbean|

* Cuban
* Haitian
* Kontradans
* Jamaican
* Mento
* Trinidadian and Tobagonian
* Cariso
* Chutney
* Chutney parang
* Chutney soca
* Kaiso
* Parang
* Soca

South American|

* Brazilian
* Chilean
* Venezuelan
* Gaita zuliana

Oceanian|

* Australian
* White Australian
* Indigenous Australian
* Cook Islander
* Easter Islander
* Maori
* Marshallese
* Papua New Guinean
* Samoan
* Solomon Islander
* Tahitian
* Tongan
* Tuvaluan

Asian|

* Bangladeshi
* Bhawaiya
* Bhutanese
* Central Asian
* Chinese
* Cantonese
* Hakka
* Jingnan
* Lâm-kóan
* Pak-kóan
* Teochew
* Zhongguo feng
* Filipino
* Bodabil
* Kundiman
* Manila sound
* Indian
* Kamrupi Lokgeet
* Rasiya
* Sanedo
* Indonesian
* Japanese
* Min'yō
* Korean
* Trot
* Mongolian
* Nepalese
* Pakistani
* Vietnamese
* Quan họ

European|

* Alpine
* Austrian
* Balkan
* Albanian
* Tallava
* Bosnian and Herzegovinan
* Sevdalinka
* Starogradska muzika
* Bulgarian
* Chalga
* Starogradska muzika
* Croatian
* Starogradska muzika
* Greek
* Laïko
* Rebetiko
* Tsifteteli
* Italian
* Kosovan
* Tallava
* Montenegrin
* Macedonian
* Čalgija
* Starogradska muzika
* Romani
* Romanian
* Lăutărească music
* Manele
* Serbian
* Balkan brass
* Starogradska muzika
* Turbo-folk
* Slovenian
* Turkish
* Anatolian blues
* Anatolian rock
* Arabesque
* Fantezi
* Tsifteteli
* Belarusian
* Breton
* Celtic
* Celtic fusion
* Celtic metal
* Celtic punk
* Celtic rock
* Czech
* Moravian
* Polka
* Danish
* Dutch
* English
* Hornpipe
* Jigs
* Morris dance
* Estonian
* Finnish
* French
* German
* Hungarian
* Icelandic
* Irish
* Gaelic folk music
* Hornpipe
* Latvian
* Lithuanian
* Maltese
* Norwegian
* Polish
* Pontic Greek
* Portuguese
* Russian
* Scottish
* Gaelic
* Slovenian
* Spanish
* Swedish
* Swiss
* Ukrainian
* Cossack
* Dumka
* Welsh

Middle Eastern and
North African|

* Armenian
* Assyrian
* Azerbaijani
* Egyptian
* Fantezi
* Iranian
* Israeli
* Klezmer
* Mizrahi music
* Pontic Greek
* Turkish
* Anatolian blues
* Anatolian rock
* Arabesque
* Tsifteteli

Related
articles|

* 20th-century Western folk music
* Acoustic music
* Filk music
* Festivals
* Folk clubs
* Folk dance
* Instruments
* List
* Collections
* Roud number
* Child
* Laws numbers
* Outlaw country
* Progressive rock
* Pub session
* Record labels
* Roots revival
* World music
* Worldbeat
* History of music

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