Jonathan

I am trying to find any ouds ('uds) or lutes made by my grandfather, Sam (Sarkis) Varjabedian, who lived in Detroit and made ouds from the 1920's until 1963. Even if it is in pieces, I would be interested--either to purchase, or at least to see photographs of it. I also have a website--I think I posted something on this last year when it went up--on Armenian oud makers: www.varjouds.com If anybody has any additions, please let me know. Thanks

Anoushik, where do you take Armenian music history? I live in the LA area, and this is something that I am very interested in. Thanks

I have actually never heard your version of the song, by the way. The first two lines, yes. The rest of it--no. Thanks, though. Maybe when you hear the entire song, you will understand the sentiment behind it.

Why is this music garbage? I am an Armenian, of course. What Turk would ask for the lyrics of two Armenian songs? Why would you even suggest that? I appreciate the response, but I have a hard time understanding your view. Yes, my grandparents came from what is now considered Turkey. They were Armenian. Every one of them. Some survived, many did not. Soode Soode was written in the United States, by an Armenian immigrant from Turkey, in the early 20th century. Does that make it not an Armenian song? Can you understand the sentiment behind the lyrics better in that light? There is a prejudice, I think, against music that originated in Turkey that was composed by Armenians, or, as in this case, by an Armenian from Turkey. That is crazy. And I hate to bring up all of the brilliant music made by Armenians in Turkey, written and sung in Turkish, that Armenians deprive themselves of. It is their loss. Gomidas? Yes, brilliant. Thank God for Gomidas. But thank God as well for Tateos Efendi. Thank God for Udi Hrant Kenkulian--two brilliant Armenian composers who seem forgotten by Armenians, and yet embraced by Turks and, in the case of Tateos, Arabs, as well. Armenian music does not start and stop with Gomidas, as brilliant as he was. The music of Anatolia is part of our Armenian heritage. Whether it was written in Armenian, or Turkish. Thanks for the lyrics. They are appreciated.

Does anybody know the words to the above two songs: Soode Soode (Amen pan soode), and Hele Hele Ninoye? Thanks a lot!

Hartford, Connecticut. There's a pretty decent size Armenian community there. Mostly Western Armenian. A nice kef/khnjook/whatever you want to call it in November. There used to be a great one every year in Cape Cod, too, but that one is no more.

Does anybody know when the 2005 Hartford Kef is going to be? I want to book my plane tickets before the prices shoot up. Thanks!

Abril in Glendale has one.

Thanks, but I found it in a book of Gomidas music. I didn't know that that one was also a Gomidas number. Thanks, though

Anybody know where I can get the sheet music for Groong? Thanks!

MosJan, thanks a lot. I never heard of him, but I wrote to the guy that posted the photo to see if I can find out more. I am not sure from the caption if Payaslyan builds ouds, or just sells them, but hopefully I will know soon. A cool pic. If anybody else has any suggestions, I would be grateful for them. I think the oud is one of those instruments that, unfortunately, is seen by many as being not really an Armenian instrument. Still, some of the greatest ouds of all time were built by Armenians, and some of the greatest players of this instrument were Armenian.

Thank you very very much. I posted them. I appreciate it.

Viken is on there already, as is Dikran Najarian. I would love to see the pics of the ouds from Armenia, with, if possible, the names of the makers. Thanks a lot.

I have a relatively new website: www.Varjouds.com I am trying to document every significant Armenian oud maker of the past 200 or so years. If anybody has any additions from what I have there (on the second page in particular), please let me know. Thanks a lot.

My grandfather, Sam (Sarkis) Varjabedian, made ouds (uds) in Detroit from the 1920s until 1963. If anybody has one that they are willing to sell, I would love to buy it, and would pay a more than fair price for it. Or, if you are not willing to sell it, but can send me a picture or 2 of it, that would also be great. Thanks a lot Jonathan Varjabedian