WATERTOWN, Mass.—Under the sponsorship of the Cultural Committee of the St. James Armenian Apostolic Church of Watertown and the Amaras Art Alliance, the “Dudukner Ensemble,” a group of traditional instrumentalists from Yerevan, will perform sacred and folk music on Sept. 22 at the St. James Cultural Center, Keljik Hall.
The duduk, known since antiquity as an “apricot pipe,” is a traditional woodwind instrument indigenous to Armenia. It is a double reed instrument with ancient origins, said to be from 1,500-3,000 years old. The duduk is made exclusively of wood, typically from aged apricot trees. According to ethnomusicologist Dr. Jonathan McCollum, the duduk is depicted in numerous Armenian manuscripts of the Middle Ages, and is the only truly Armenian instrument that has survived through history. As such, it is a symbol of Armenian national identity.
In 2005, UNESCO proclaimed the Armenian duduk music as a “Masterpiece of the Intangible Heritage of Humanity.”
Georgy Minasian, principal duduk player, is the founder of the Dudukner Ensemble, and an Honored Artist of Armenia. The group also includes Khosrov Mnatsakanyan, alto duduk, dhol; Artak Asatryan, tenor duduk; Georgy Minasian, Jr., baritone duduk; Mher Mnatsakanian, shvee, clarinet, baritone duduk; Tigran Avetisian, bass duduk; Hovhaness Avetisian, clarinet, manager; and Margar Yegiazarian, soloist. Tatyana Minasian is the artistic director and conductor.
The concert will take place on Sat., Sept. 22 at 7 p.m. at the St. James Cultural Center’s Keljik Hall in Watertown, Mass. Tickets are $20 for adults; $15 for students and senior citizens.
For tickets, call the church office at (617) 923-8860; call Ardemis Minassian at (617) 930-0181; or purchase them online at www.AmarasOnline.com. A reception will follow the concert.
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