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Which is it Johnny? Oud or violin?
SHREWSBURY, Mass.—Over the past six decades, many have come to know Johnny Berberian as a talented oud virtuoso playing countless gigs and recording a plethora of records and CDs.
You’ve seen him play dances and concerts, weddings and special occasions. His musical resume is still being written every time he picks up hi
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Unfortunately, the Armenian music that most American born Armenians think of as traditional Armenian music (such as being played/sung on the slopes of Mt. Ararat) is going to be phased out with the passing of the Berberian/Kazarian/Dinkjian generation and perhaps the next generation. Generally speaking, the newer generations have gone to all this electronic techno sounds and I consider that no more than white noise. I have hundreds of 78 rpm records that will probably go into some trash dump upon my death unless collectively we develop some repository to preserve this sound. Again, generally speaking, young Armenians are no different than other young people of other nationalities. Since they are staring at their Iphone 24 hours a day, they miss much of the world that is, or has, passed them by. There is more to being an Armenian than gathering every April 24 with posters reminding the world about the turkish massacres. Perhaps, the Amish have the right idea. If the old way of life was good enough, why do we need to change?
Mr. Sarkisian… There is no doubt that all aspects our culture evolve. Not only is that true in the diaspora, but also over the centuries of when cultures that politically dominated Armenia also imparted elements of influence. Traditional Western Armenian music is a good example with influences ( both ways) of 500 hundred years of Ottoman control. Same in the east. It’s called adaptation and is the key to how we have survived.
John makes reference to some students that he is teaching to pass on the legacy. Some of them are my son’s friends and the future may not be as bleak as you suggest. In my view , there actually has been a bit of a resurgence with weddings, dances and,other events. Where it heads is certainly part of this continuing evolution.
By the way, may I suggest a home for your 78 LP’s. The National Association of Armenian Studies and Research
(NAASR) in Belmont,MA has been collecting and digitizing old Armenian 78’s.
George, you should connect with Leon Janikian of watertown ma. He is compiling all old 78 rpm records and digitizing them. The music must never die.
Tom,
Thanks for telling everyone John’s wonderful story. John’s father repaired my oud that I still have and and try to play Catskilli Jampan. Harout’s was a favorite hangout on Friday and Saturday nights and I remember John playing at our Hyortik Holiday Hops. Two questions 1- Did John ever hook-up with Harry Mainassian? 2- Isn’t that Onnik Dinkjian in the background of the picture showing John and his father?
Jerry — Now that I look closely at that photo, I would agree. That was Onnik in the background. Or someone that looks identical to him. Aren’t we fortunate to have so many talented and dedicated musicians at our side overlapping the generations?