Jaffa Road - 5-17-2011 at 06:47 AM
Hi
I currently working as music therapyist on the palliative care ward of a large hospital. I currently have an elderly patient who is an Armenian
from Istanbul and speaks very little English.
He was very happy to have me play some Arabic style taqsims and samai’s on the oud at his bedside. I worked with him once and his daughter was
there to translate. He said he would really appreciate hearing me play some popular Armenian songs from the 30s, 40s, 50s, and 60s. Or older
Armenian folk songs.
If you have PDF leadsheets for songs in the above categories and don’t mind sending them along, that would be most appreciated.
His granddaughter was there during my visit and he really enjoyed hearing her sing dzaghinger.
If you dont have leadsheets but can suggest appropriate song titles that would be helpful as well.
Suggestions for a compilation CD that I could buy with the above song catagories would also be helpful.
Brian Prunka - 5-17-2011 at 06:56 AM
I don't have any, but I think our forum member Amos knows a lot. Maybe he'll be able to help you out.
I know he has a couple of CDs, too . . .
DoggerelPundit - 5-17-2011 at 10:51 AM
Jaffa,
Good for you! Try these:
http://armeniansongbook.com/views/view-all-singers
http://www.mousaler.com/songbook/
maran - 5-17-2011 at 11:05 AM
You are doing a good thing. Thank you.
Given the man is from Istanbul and appreciated the taksims and semais I suggest the Marko Melkon and Udi Hrant I II III titles available from Traditional Crossroads.
Also, a lot of Armenians I know really like this CD
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/onnikdinkjian3
Any of the Vosbikian Band, Richard Hagopian, or John Berberian should go down well too.
Lead sheets might be hard to come by but hopefully Amos has some.
Ararat66 - 5-17-2011 at 11:16 AM
Hi JR
No written music I'm afraid but here are some pointers from my view from the musical mountains - some with singing some not, very often strong
heartfelt music:
Check out http://www.traditionalcrossroads.com
Shoghaken Ensemble, Shoghaken Ensemble - traditional crossroads CD4334
Shoghaken Ensemble, Traditional Dances of Armenia - traditional crossroads CD4322 (some singing)
Shoghaken Ensemble, Armenian Lullabies - traditional crossroads CD4321 (mainly songs, Hasmik Haratunian has a mesmerising voice ... this will get to
an old man's heart)
Shoghaken Ensemble are a really superb and 'authentic' group
George Mgrdichian on the oud - Global Village CD803
&
George Mgrdichian on the oud - Global Village CD801
(both just oud but clear pieces cleanly and beautifully played)
Onnik Dinkjian, Voice of Armenians Live in Jerusalem - Krikor Music KM5051 (All sung with a great band including his son Ara Dinkjian on oud)
John Bilezikian, Music From the Armenian Diaspora Played on the Oud - Global Village CD809 (just oud but clear pieces cleanly, beautifully and
uniquely played ... not easy to copy his amazing technique but the melodies and timing are distinct)
Al Shaversh Bardezbanian & his Middle Eastern Ensemble, Oud Masterpieces from Armenia, Turkey & the Middle East (no singing but some
astounding playing but also very clear melodic renditions ... his version of 'Sev Orer' is particularly spine tingling)
I also have a couple of not particularly well recorded cds by the Armenian Song & Dance Ensemble which I bought because I liked the timing on some
of the pieces like 'Sevani Tsgnorsnerou Bar' ... One is called 'Armenian Folk Songs & Dances' the other 'Armenian Festival' ... both on monitor
MCD 71352 & MCD71321
There are loads of Armenian American Kef bands that other members can point out to you but be sure to check out Udi Hrant Kenkulian's original
versions of his own songs scattered across 3 fantastic cds on traditional crossroads - you will keep hearing these songs echo through the diaspora but
the originals are good to know ... Richard Hagopian's cd, Best of Armenian Folk Music - ARC Music EUCD 1222 is also very good.
Hope this helps and the numbers still make sense!! ... others will know far more
Leon
robertthomasmartin - 5-21-2011 at 06:53 PM
Armenian Song Bouquet Volumes 1,2,3 and 4.
PDFs:
http://gfax.ch/literature/sheet_music/
Amos - 5-23-2011 at 05:22 PM
Leon just about said it all...I would specifically suggest two songs by Udi Hrant Kenkulian: 'Sirdus Vera Kar Ma Ga' and 'Siroon Agchek'. Also 'Anush
Yares Heratza' and 'Vart Kaghelen Kookas Yar' are favorites. Khatchaturian's 'Im Anush Davigh' will certainly be beloved by the gentleman. Also
'Voch Me Dzalig' is a great choice. 'Agh Im Anush Yares' (also called simply Chinarboyev) is another favorite. I learned all of these from watching
the last Al Bardezbanian so I am afraid I dont have sheet music but you can find recordings of all of these that you can learn fairly easily by ear.
Good luck!