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The Gurdjieff Folk Instruments Ensemble / Levon Eskenian: Music of Georges I. Gurdjieff
ByThe son of a well-known troubadour, Gurdjieff received some musical training as a choirboy in the cathedral of Kars (today's Turkey), unsuccessfully trying to enter the choir in Tifilis. Despite later being trained as both a physician and priest, it is obvious that, among other things, music had a powerful effect on him from childhood. In the years following Gurdjieff's passing there have been many recordings of his music, based on de Hartman's own recordings and transcripts. ECM has a long history with this music, starting with pianist Keith Jarrett's highly personal interpretations, Sacred Hymns (1980), and including two releases by pianist Vassilis Tsabropoulos and cellist Anja Lechner Chants, Hymns and Dances (ECM, 2004) and Melos (ECM, 2008).
Armenian composer/musician Levon Eskenian, inspired by Gurdjieff's works and music from the Caucasian region, formed the Gurdjieff Folk Instruments Ensemble and, with the help of this 14-piece group, Music of George I. Gurdjieff reverses Gurdjieff's process by tracing the origins of his melodies back to some of the original songs coming from Eskenian's region and surrounding countries. Eskenian provides the opportunity to experience these tunes as played on original indigenous instrumentssuch as the Armenian duduk, blul (or nay), oud, saz, tombak and santurand within the right context, portraying a captivating and exciting range of musical colors and textures. All of the compositions are based on Eskerian's arrangements of de Hartman's transcriptions, with the liner notes providing a detailed description of each composition's origins and mixture of both folk and sacred music. An indicator of both Eskerian and Gurdjieff's broad musical interests, the music is soothing, enchanting and as spare as folk music can be.
In a way, Music of George I. Gurdjieff is more than just music inspired by a certain figure from the past; it is a wonderful introduction to the music of the Armenian region, as well as another entry into the world of Gurdjieff. It opens up the doors to a rich musical world in its full glory and serves as a wonderful document awaiting discovery.
Track Listing
Chant from a Holy Book; Kurd Shepherd Melody; Prayer; Sayyid Chant and Dance No. 10; Sayyid Chant and Dance No. 29; Armenian Song Bayaty; Sayyid Chant and Dance No. 9; No. 11; Caucasian dance; No. 40; Trinity; Assyrian Women Mourners; Atarnakh; Kurd Song; Arabian Dance; Ancient Greek Dance; Duduki.
Personnel
Levon Eskenian: director; Emmanuel Hovhannisyan: duduk; Avag Margaryan: blul; Armen Ayvazyan: kamancha; Aram Nikoghosyan: oud; Meri Vardanyan: kanon; Vladimir Papikyan: santur; Davit Avagyan: tar; Mesrop Khalatyan: dap, dhol; Armen Yeganyan: saz; Reza Nesimi: tombak; Harutyun Chkolyan: duduk; Tigran Karapetyan: duduk; Artur Atoyan: duduk.
Album information
Title: Music of Georges I. Gurdjieff | Year Released: 2011 | Record Label: ECM Records
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