-= Traditional Armenian Music =- Feb-9-2002

[MosJan]

Mark your calendars.

The Adelphian is pleased to present a concert of traditional Armenian music

on the evening of Saturday, February 9.

 

Leading the quartet of musicians is Lendrush Harutunyan on the Duduk. He is joined by Harkob Yesayan, on the second Duduk, or Duduk dam. Featured vocalist is Mhukarpich Mahlkhasian, and Armund Sahakyan plays the baraban, the traditional Armenian drum.

 

Date: Saturday, February 9, 2002 8:00 PM

 

Where: The Adelphian

2167 Central Avenue at Walnut

Alameda, California 94501

 

Admission $15

Kids 14 and under with a parent are admitted free.

Tickets are purchased at the door - cash and check only, please.

First come, first seated.

Doors open at 7:30, Concert begins at 8:00

 

Info: 510-748-8181

info@TheAdelphian.com

 

 

About the Duduk....

No other musical instrument is able to convey the emotions of the Armenian

people so honestly and eloquently as the duduk. The duduk's soft, reedy

sound has an almost vocal quality that makes it songful and soulful, often

haunting. Because of its evocative and colorful timbre and warm sound, the

duduk has become part of everyday life in Armenia. Many Armenians consider

the duduk to be the instrument that most eloquently expresses the warmth,

the joy, and the tragedy of Armenia. Today, no festive occasion, wedding

reception or family feast is complete without a dudukist.

 

The duduk is a form of oboe hand-made almost always of apricot wood, with a

1,500-year history behind it. Born in the early eons of Armenian history,

it is uniquely Armenian. Traveling Armenians have taken it to Persia,

Azerbaijan, Turkey, the Middle East and as far as the Balkans, where

derivatives are played. The instrument itself is simply a hollow pipe with

eight finger holes on the upper side and one thumb hole on the bottom. It

has a warm, soft, slightly nasal timbre, but it is capable of a wide-range

of melodies and drone notes sustained for long periods of time. It is

invariably played with the accompaniment of a second 'duduk dam,' (or even

a small group of duduk players) which gives the music an energy and tonic

atmosphere, changing the scale harmoniously with the principal duduk.

 

The duduk is built in three sizes, ranging from 11 to 16 inches. It

requires a specific type of double reed, categorized as a split or

slit-tube reed. As a musical instrument, it has not changed through the

centuries, but the manner of playing it has been perfected and its sound

has been improved. Its range is only one octave; however, it requires

considerable skill to play, - its dynamics controlled by constantly

adjusting the lips and fingers. The tuning is basically untempered and

diatonic, though chromatic notes may be obtained by partially covering the

finger holes.

 

The duduk repertoire consists of folk ballads as well as upbeat dance

music. Composers have even written orchestral pieces for the instrument.

 

About The Adelphian...

 

The Adelphian Center for the Arts, housed in an historic mission-style

building, is a new venue in the East Bay for music and the performing arts.

Its beautiful auditorium and spectacular acoustics make it worth

discovering. It is easy to get to. Take the Tube from Jack London Square

into Alameda, and turn left at the 4th signal onto Santa Clara. After 1.6

miles, turn right onto Walnut Street. The Adelphian is at the end of the

block at Central on the right. The Adelphian is dedicated to supporting

music and musicians. 90% of the door is paid directly to the musicians.

The remaining 10% is donated to the Alameda Education Foundation.