Armenian Music Through the Ages

Richard Hagopian | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 15, 1993)
• Original Release Date: April 13, 1993
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Smithsonian Folkways
• ASIN: B000001DKP
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #303,445 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #38 in Music > World Music > Europe > Eastern Europe > Armenia

Editorial Reviews

Hagopian is a virtuoso on the ’ud (oud), a principal instrument of Armenian, Turkish, and Arab musical traditions. Included in his repertory are both Armenian classical and folk styles, which in the U.S. have received little exposure outside of the Armenian community. This National Heritage Fellowship award winner and his small ensemble perform 13 brilliant selections. "Serenity and dignity on first hearing.... Behind that veil, however...tension and passion smoulder in the deep." –Wereldmuziek Update

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Another disc that helped open the world for me, April 13, 2003

By 

Pharoah S. Wail (Inner Space) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Armenian Music Through the Ages (Audio CD)

This was the cd that introduced me to the fantastic Hagopians, both Richard (oud, vocals) and his son Harold ( kanun, violin). It's Richard's name on the album but do not overlook his brilliant son. Richard and Harold are easily one of the best "father & son" sets of musicians in the world today. This disc also has Hagop Jack Zarzatian on dumbeg.

I agree with the previous reviewers take on Richard being one of the worlds best oud players, but considering that some of the other oud players she/he mentioned are dead, I think that makes Richard rank even higher in terms of THIS world. =)

Although I must admit, no "best oud player" list is complete without also including Hamza El Din.

I don't think this cd is as completely excellent as another Hagopian-related cd I reviewed yesterday, Gypsy Fire, but on the other hand, when music is this good that still isn't anything to complain about. Obviously I loved this cd enough for it to make me purchase Gypsy Fire in the first place.

If you're familiar with Armenian music then just know that this cd is another excellent example of it. If you're not familiar with it, and words being flawed, I'd just say it may strike you as some sort of excellent realm between Eastern European and Middle Eastern music. Yes I know, that is brutally vague, but there is really only so much that words will ever do (very little) to convey the feel, sound, or intensity of any given music.

I love this disc, and that's what it ultimately comes down to.

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Armenian Oud Colossus, April 15, 2001

By 

Sumatriptan (Fixing a barbecue at the Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Armenian Music Through the Ages (Audio CD)

Richard Hagopian is one of the world foremost oud players along with Munir Bashir from Iraq, Simon Shaheen from Palestine, Rabih-Abou Khalil from Lebanon, Anouar Brahem from Tunisia and another great Armenian master from Turkey - Udi Hrant Kelkulian. This album is an excellent collection of Armenian folk songs and it will add a great deal to any CD collection of folk music. Favourite track - YARIMO.

5.0 out of 5 stars ARMENIAN MEDLEY OF HYESTAN MUSIC, June 29, 2008

By 

Daniel P. Remy "ECONPROF" (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Armenian Music Through the Ages (Audio CD)

RICHARD HAGOPIAN CREATES THE BEST ALBUM I HAVE EVER HEARD THAT SPANS AND CAPTURES THE SOUL AND SPIRIT OF ARMENIAN MUSIC. BRAVO. A MUST FOR EVERY ARMENIAN AND ARMENIAN MUSIC LOVER.