ARMENIA • BENIK ABOVIAN AND ZAVEN AZIBEKIAN

The Tavush Province, North-Eastern Armenia, has kept remarkably its musical traditions, still alive during weddings, festivals and funerals. Benik Abovian (†) and Zaven Azibekian follow the ancient tradition of the Armenian bards and are known as the best folk musicians in Tavush: Benik has the reputation of a virtuoso and inventive player, while Zaven is highly appreciated for the deep expressiveness of his interpretations. Throughout this CD the rejoicing improvisations on the zurna alternate with the heartrending moans of the duduk and the pastoral cantilenas of the sring flute.