Mystical Music of Armenia: Nagash Ensemble (Saugerties, NY)
The Local
Naghash Ensemble perform original compositions based on sacred texts by the medieval Armenian mystic poet, artist, and priest Mkrtich Naghash.
Armenian-American composer and pianist John Hodian has brought together some of the finest musicians and singers in Armenia to combine the earthy spirituality of Armenian folk songs, new classical music, and medieval polyphonic vocals music utilizing layered vocals, piano, and Armenian traditional instruments duduk (double reed woodwind), oud (plucked lute), and dhol (percussion).
The ensemble’s performances are known for their emotional depth and spiritual resonance, transporting listeners to a realm where the past and present converge. Through their music, they pay homage to Armenian traditions while pushing the boundaries of artistic expression.
Nagash Ensemble’s three acclaimed albums form a trilogy entitled Songs of Exile, with the latest, Lamentations & Benedictions, released in 2019. The album sets Naghash’s poetry to evocative pieces marked by the richly layered vocals of sopranos Hasmik Baghdasaryan and Tatevik Movsesyan and alto Shahane Zalyan, with the heartrending duduk of Harutyun Chkolyan floating over a base of oud, piano, and percussion.
Naghash Ensemble is Hasmik Baghdasaryan, soprano; Tatevik Movsesyan, soprano; Arpine Ter-Petrosyan, alto; Harutyun Chkolyan, duduk (double reed woodwind); Aram Nikoghosyan, oud; Tigran Hovhannisyan, dhol (drum) and John Hodian, piano/composer.
The idea for The Naghash Ensemble came when composer John Hodian first heard soprano singer Hasmik Baghdasaryan singing in an ancient pagan temple outside of Yerevan, Armenia. She was singing medieval Armenian spiritual music, and her voice was astounding. Adding to the magic was the unique acoustics of the temple. The sound haunted Hodian for days afterward, and he became determined to write something that would use this sound in a new way.
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