Search - Richard Hagopian :: Best of Armenian Folk Music

A fine torchbearer of traditional ud playing.

jovaldo | 03/13/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Richard Hagopian is a fantastic ud player! When many of today's players are seeking to due jazz fusions and other cross-cultural experiments, Hagopian has kept true to his cultural roots. Its also nice to have an album of Armenian ud music, considering that most folks think that all ud players come from places like Lebanon, Iraq or Syria. Armenia has a style of music all there own, and shouldn't be lumped in with all other countries from that part of the world. Not only does Hagopian masterfully play songs, taksims and other musical forms well on the ud, he also has a superb voice. This album contains songs by such Armenian legends as Hrant Kenkulian and Kemani Tateyos Eskerjian as well as traditional dances, songs and taksims. Richard Hagopian is also joined by his son, Harold Hagopian (violin, kanun) and Hagop Jack Zarzatian (dumbeg, def). These recordings are important documents of traditional Armenian music considering how many Armenians have been displaced from their homeland by war, genocide and other such atrocities. These types of things often greatly impact a culture, and its wondeful to see Hagopian (the elder and younger) helping to preserve this beautiful tradition."

Hagopian is great and nice collection of Hrant tunes.

jovaldo | 05/28/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Udi Hagopian as dubbed by ud legend Udi Hrant Kenkulian is one of the heralded masters on Armenian ud playing. One listen to this disc and it is apparent why Hrant dubbed Hagopian "Udi" (meaning master of the ud.) Hagopian has recorded some wonderful versions of Hrant's songs that are sung in Armenian (both are extemely talented in Turkish music as well.) His vocals are great and the playing sublime. There is some nice accompaniement from Richard's son, Harold on kanun and another fellow on percussion. A wonderful document of the style and a true credit to the nation of Armenia."