Vardan Hovanissian & Emre Gültekin

Vardan Hovanissian & Emre Gültekin
Vardan Hovanissian & Emre Gültekin. Credits: Jan Locus
Vardan Hovanissian & Emre Gültekin. Credits: Jan Locus
  • country:Türkiye
  • style(s):Turkish, Armenian
  • label:Muziekpublique
  • type:Small Ensemble, Duo, Quartet
  • instrumentation:instrumental, woodwind, lute
  • artist posted by:Muziekpublique

Line up

  • Emre Gültekin (Saz, Baglama)
  • Joris Van Vinckenroye (Double bass)
  • Simon Leleux (Darbouka, daf)
  • Vardan Hovanissian (Duduk)

Links

After studying the duduk under master instrumentalist Khatchik Khatchatryan, Vardan Hovanissian developed into a talented ambassador for one of the most ancient of double-reed instruments and the embodiment of the very sound and soul of Armenia. More than ten years ago he found a musical soulmate in Emre Gültekin, who was initiated into the art of the Turkish saz by Talip Özkan and his father, the bard Lütfü Gültekin.

A friendship capable of overcoming frontiers has brought them to Adana, their first CD as a duo. No mere reference to the city that bore the brunt of the Armenian tragedy just a century ago, Adana also stands for the hope the musicians share of an Adana where Armenians and Turks live in harmony. The album also symbolises reconciliation and friendship between two cultures that have many roots in common. The harmonious match of the Armenian and Turkish song texts with the melancholy timbre of the Armenian duduk and the virtuosity of the Turkish saz and tanbûr make for an album that shows it is possible to look at history and generate something positive.