Djivan Gasparyan

The mournful duduk seems the perfect expression for Armenia’s tragic history, and Djivan Gasparyan has long been undisputed master of this double-reed flute. Since the late 1980s, he’s been his country’s musical spokesman, everywhere in demand with his little band of dudukists. This CD is not Gasparyan’s first foray into singing – that was on his 1999 CD Heavenly Duduk (World Network 32.377) – but it showcases his instrumental artistry, and the magical stillness which it establishes over the drone.

Our rating

4

Published: January 20, 2012 at 3:57 pm

COMPOSERS: Djivan Gasparyan
LABELS: All Saints/Hannibal
ALBUM TITLE: Moon Shines at Night
WORKS: Moon Shines at Night
PERFORMER: Djivan Gasparyan (duduk); various musicians
CATALOGUE NO: HNCD1482

The mournful duduk seems the perfect expression for Armenia’s tragic history, and Djivan Gasparyan has long been undisputed master of this double-reed flute. Since the late 1980s, he’s been his country’s musical spokesman, everywhere in demand with his little band of dudukists. This CD is not Gasparyan’s first foray into singing – that was on his 1999 CD Heavenly Duduk (World Network 32.377) – but it showcases his instrumental artistry, and the magical stillness which it establishes over the drone. But I miss the raw urgency – and thrillingly un-Westernised intonation – of that earlier record. Michael Church

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