Djivan Gasparyan - Apricots From Eden (11 tracks) +Album Reviews

Track 4 is one of the finest pieces of music I've ever heard

Moses Alexander | Alabama, USA | 03/05/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Djivan Gasparyan is one of world music's "poster boys," and rightfully so. His duduk playing is so astoundingly profound and sincere that I can whole-heartedly say he is one of the few musicians alive that deserves every kind word said about his music. As far as "Apricots from Eden" is concerned, I think it is by far his best recording. I've heard others: "Heavenly Duduk," "Ask Me No Questions," "I will Not Be Sad In This World," and many others (including the one with Michael Brooks--which is the worst one by the way) and can unhesitatingly recommend this one. Not only is Gasparyan's playing superb as usual, but there is an incredible performance by d'hol (percussion) player, Levon Arshakung as well. Arshakung gives Gasparyan's beautiful, hypnotic, meloncholy-sweet melodies a subtle, yet vigorous drive. Track four, "Tanoum en Mayrik & Ghazakhi" is one of the most beautiful tunes I've ever heard. The song is about a bride leaving her household to join her husband's household. It is a song that simultaneously expresses great joy and sadness...joy in celebration of the marriage...and sadness in that the relationship between the bride and her mother will never be the same. Another thing that wins big points for this CD is AUTHENTICITY! Unfortunately the most talked about world music albums are watered-down and modernized. This music is how it would've sounded hundreds and hundreds of years ago...and for that Mr. Gasparyan....we thank you!"

Divine Dudak

Linda | Northern California | 10/14/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Gasparian is THE dudak player of the world. If you have never experienced the absolute serenety of this instrument, particularly as played in this album, you must experience it! It is unfathomable to me that anyone would not absolutely treasure every note of it. It is a CD that I am always in the mood for as it is very calming and peaceful - perfect to fall asleep to! As the dudak is pkayed, a second instrument holds a constant note. It makes for a very captivating sound. Moon Shines at Night is very similar but Black Rock is much more contemporary yet still fabolous. Does anyone know of an album where Gasparian plays with Armen Chakmakian? Heard it on nabster and would love to get it."

Forget about the 20th century for a while...

mingtoy | Massachusetts | 11/22/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Djivan Gasparyan's music helps you to forget that pop music ever existed. Simultaneously calming and haunting, this music is great for prayer, solitude, or listening with a loved one. A real treat for fans of Peter Gabriel's "Passion.""

Awakening the Soul with the Duduk

Erika Borsos | Gulf Coast of FL, USA | 05/13/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Amazing how the mellow sounds of this fascinating instrument sound like the Hungarian tarogato ... perhaps they are related. I love this CD! The liner notes tell us the music "is rooted in the Armenian national style of folk and ashough (bardic) music". My favorite tracks are, #2 "Erzrum Dance Tunes" and #3 "Marash Dance Tunes". Each has a unique rhythm introduced and maintained by the double-headed drum which becomes secondary to the purely delightful and rich melodies created by the duduk. Armenian music has prescribed musical modes similar to Turkish music. Magnificent sounds originate from the duduk within the hands of a virtuoso, like Djivan Gasparyan. He plays within a prescribed scale, that allows for new motifs, tonal progressions, and musical phrasing, varying the form slightly with each repetition. I am in love with the "Transcaucasian" music, such as #4 "Tanoum en Mayrik & Ghazakh" which is a wedding medley, described in the liner notes, as a groom's procession to claim the bride and then the bride's farewell to her mother. The second piece in this track is an energetic men's dance. It is a bridge connecting Armenian and Azerbaijani music. #6 is another wonderful piece, "Halay folk dance", which we are told links the traditions of Armenian and Kurdish music. "Shalakho" (#9) is a wonderful production which connects Armenian and Georgian traditional music. The ancient musical roots on this CD go back as far as 301 A.D., when ancient rites of divination were expressed in song and dance, as presented in #10, "Djan gyuloum". Anyone who loves wind instruments and traditional music of ancient lands will derive great satisfaction in listening to this CD. Erika Borsos (erikab93)"

Brilliant music

mingtoy | 04/08/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"...it is really surprising how the Armenian folk dance tunes can be so peaceful. It calms the listener's soul even though there is dhol in the background. A really brilliant CD"

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