Search - Artur Sedrakian, Albian Hambart :: New Age Armenia

Catchy Armenian tunes that will lift your spirit

Song & story lover | Midwest, USA | 07/22/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This season's 'So You Think You Can Dance' featured a young couple dancing a waltz to a beautiful piece of music that took my breath away. I looked it up and discovered that this was the song 'Hov Arek Sarer Jan' from the album 'New Age Armenia.'



This is the description of the album I found during my search to locate this marvelous Armenian music, updated for our times through the artistry of Artur Sedrakian and Albina Hambartsumian:



"New Age Armenia, through the collaboration of Artur Sedrakian & Albina Hambartsumian, is a dynamic masterpiece that brings forth traditional Armenian music in a previously unheard fusion with contemporary rhythms and concepts. The essence of traditional instruments, such as Shvi And Duduk, has been superimposed upon modern pop and dance tempos, breathing new life into traditional Armenian folk songs, such as Ambi Dagitz, Gakavik, And Na Mi Naz Ooni. While provoking a renewed interest within the older generation of Armenians, this innovative and unique approach will make traditional music more accessible to the younger generation of Armenians who might otherwise remain unaware of their rich cultural heritage."



There are tracks here that lift the spirit with their happy upbeat tempos and others that nourish the soul (like the track 'Hov Arek Sarer Jan' I fell for the first time I heard it). I particularly enjoy the use of the flute in these pieces, carrying the tunes to interesting places. Highly recommended for world music lovers who enjoy soft fusion along with multi-cultural melodies. I'm on my way to check out 'New Age Armenia 2' after completing this review."