Customer Reviews

Armenian Music Through the Ages

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

I was totally surprised to read that Arshin Mal Alan (Azerbaijani: Ar''n Mal Alan, English: Cloth Peddler) was introduced as an Armenian music. Arshin Mal Alan is a 1913 comic and romantic operetta by Azerbaijani composer Uzeyir Hajibeyov about the cloth peddler in the 1900s Shusha, who is looking for a wife. Hajibeyov composed the operetta in Saint Petersburg and it was staged on October 25, 1913. The operetta is rich in national characteristics and realism. It is in fact the FIRST EVER operetta written and staged in the whole Middle East/Muslim World. You can read more at [...](operetta)

Now back to this post - it's shameful to falsify the history and represent Azerbaijani Music as Armenian. Simply take a pride from what you have done and contributed into the world culture. Make it fair and honest!

He is a good performer, but he doesn't mention that Arshin Mal Alan Operetta was written by Azeri composer Uzeyir Hajibeyov.

But overall, very nice performance, especially for lovers of Ottoman-style oriental music.