BYU BRAVO! Professional Performing Arts Series Welcomes the Naghash Ensemble of Armenia to Campus, Bringing the Unique Folk Sounds of the Duduk, Oud and Dhol
Performance Details:
- Date & Time: Friday, March 14 at 7:30 p.m.
- Location: Concert Hall
- Price: Starting at $12
- Tickets: Available online at BYU OnStage
Armenian folk music comes to BYU campus as part of the BRAVO! Professional Performing Arts Series. Witness the spiritual, mystic sounds of the duduk, oud, dhol and piano in an “East meets West and antiquity meets modernity” (National Public Radio) performance by the Naghash Ensemble.
John Hodian founded the group after he heard Hasmik Baghdasaryan singing in an ancient temple outside of Yerevan, Armenia. He immediately wanted to write something that would use her unique voice and medieval Armenian spiritual music in a new way. After much research, he discovered 14 poems by the fifteenth century mystic poet and priest Mkrtich Naghash and set them to music. The ensemble’s original compositions combine the “earthy spirituality of Armenian folk song, new classical music, contemporary postminimalism and the energy of jazz and rock” (The Naghash Ensemble).
The ensemble consists of seven members, all of which are renowned musicians in Armenia: Hasmik Baghdasaryan (soprano), Tatevik Movsesyan (soprano), Arpine Ter-Petrosyan (alto), Harutyun Chkolyan (duduk), Aram Nikoghosyan (oud), Tigran Hovhannisyan (dhol) and John Hodian (piano/composer).
“This group boasts the most beautiful, soaring vocals and enchanting, fascinating timbres from Armenian folk instruments,” said BRAVO! Series producer and presenter Lyndsay Keith. After seeing them perform live a few years ago, she knew she had to bring them to the Series. “Their music is captivating in a way that at once feels unique and familiar.”