Sharakan and Shoghaken (Armenia)

The medieval songs of Armenia had their roots in both the sacred music of the Armenian Church and in the ancient bardic traditions of the Caucasus region. While some of this music is still present in its original state, many older Armenian works exist today because of the tireless work of the turn-of-the-century composer and musicologist known as Komitas. Through Christianity, Europe and Armenia share a common musical nucleus, especially as regards the choral and Gregorian liturgical melodies. Sharakan is the name of a remarkable body of Armenian liturgical songs dating back at least as far as medieval times - songs that are remarkable not just for their antiquity, but for their exquisite, often heartrending melodies, which originate from the period before the medieval division of Armenian and Roman Catholic Church.

The world reputed 8-member traditional music Shoghaken Ensemble encompasses Armenian virtuosos who play traditional instruments (duduk, zurna, kanun, kemanche, dhol, dham, shvi). Dedicated to rediscovering and continuing Armenia’s extraordinary folk music tradition, the group presents music from a broad geographical and historical span using traditional song styles.

W www.traditionalcrossroads.com/cd/4334.php