Kalaschjan - Kalaschjan: Rural & Urban Traditional Music [CD]

This recording from the Caucasus Festival (House of Cultures, Berlin, 1991) offers an overwhelming impression of the artful expressive power of Armenian music. Solo songs alternate with instrumental music, expressive melodies with boisterous dances. Most of the instruments - like the beguilingly soft-sounding, oboelike duduk and it's nasal sister, the zurna - are known only in Armenia. The extensive booklet contains an informed discussion of the history of this rich musical culture, the musicians, and the works. The CD was awarded the Quarterly German Record Critics' Award!