Djivan Gasparyan & Michael Brook
Released 06 September 1998
Liner notes
Djivan Gasparyan is unquestionably one of Armenia’s greatest musicians —the foremostliving master of the duduk (an ancient oboe-like instrument) having received four Gold Medals in UNESCO’s worldwide competitions. A professor at the Yerevan Conservatory, he has educated a whole generation of duduk players and has brought the duduk out of obscurity and into the international music scene.
Canadian Michael Brook’s credits as producer, engineer and virtuoso guitarist have graced albums by some of the past decade’s most celebrated and forward-thinking artists. His own music, born of a love for Middle Eastern and Indian melodies, is an admixture of ethnic and electronic elements; its undeniable pictorial qualities have been recognized by the many directors whose films Michael has scored.
With these recordings, Djivan Gasparyan and Michael Brook have fashioned a uniquemusical hybrid. The duduk is prominently featured, as one might expect, but a surprise is in store for those not yet appraised of Gasparyan’s vocal capabilities; his singing is vibrant and assured, its timbral colours neatly dovetailing with the warm, slightly nasal tone of the duduk. Both instruments are displayed to best advantage against the varied arrangements drafted and performed by Brook, with help from the English engineer and multi-instrumentalist Richard Evans.
Michael Brook on his collaboration with Djivan Gasparyan
Candian producer/guitarist Michael Brook discusses working with an Armenian duduk player.
Wed, 09 September 98
Gallery
Further Listening
Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan & Michael Brook
Released 12 November 1990
Released 19 May 2002
Candian producer/guitarist Michael Brook discusses working with an Armenian duduk player.
Wed, 09 September 98
Find out about the songs on Armenian Duduk player Djivan Gasparyan's collaboration album with Michael Brook.
Thu, 20 August 98
