Armenian Festival (CD edition)

Present-day Armenia, situated between Azerbaijan, Turkey, and Iran, has a musical history that has developed over thousands of years. Native instruments include the duduk, a double-reeded woodwind that resembles a wooden flute; the kemancha, a violin-like instrument played with a bow; and the tar, an hour-glass-shaped string instrument similar to the lute. Armenian Festival features a capella choral performances such as "Gutani Yerg," richly orchestrated pieces like "Anun Arratutchian," and straightforward folk songs like "Khekch Marti," where solo-singing is accompanied by the tar. Liner notes include a brief album introduction.