[Duduk]

"Days of Erebuni-Yerevan 2750-th jubilee celebrations. We were preparing to fly to Moscow: the concert to be broadcasted by the Central television consisted of two parts, a classic one and a national one"- Mark Petrosyan, the organizer and author of the concert says.

- The performers of the first section were Komitas string quartet, Gohar Gasparyan, Arno Babajanian, and others. The national part - ensemble of national instruments, Ruben Matevosyan, Soghomon Seyranyan, Vache Hovsepyan. Yet in Yerevan, Vache worriedly asked for a couple of times: "What shall I perform? The Russians and the Europeans will not understand the language of duduk". I replied that he should perform one piece, we should show duduk to the world.

We were in Ostankino studio two hours before the performance. Silent, anxious: we had to present Armenian culture to the entire Soviet Union and Eastern Europe. It was Vache's turn. I looked at him, his fingers were trembling. A moment later, he confidently approached the center of the studio, bowed and started "Hovern Ynkan". Eyes closed, he played with all the energy hidden in his small body, with emotional gestures. I guess, such bursts can happen only once in a lifetime. We, who stood on the backstage, where stunned. Vache came out soaking with sweat, his mind away from the reality, the surrounding fuss. We hugged... he was shivering, unable to say a word. We brought him a chair; he sat there staring at one point.

[El Catalan]

"Days of Erebuni-Yerevan 2750-th jubilee celebrations. We were preparing to fly to Moscow: the concert to be broadcasted by the Central television consisted of two parts, a classic one and a national one"- Mark Petrosyan, the organizer and author of the concert says.

- The performers of the first section were Komitas string quartet, Gohar Gasparyan, Arno Babajanian, and others. The national part - ensemble of national instruments, Ruben Matevosyan, Soghomon Seyranyan, Vache Hovsepyan. Yet in Yerevan, Vache worriedly asked for a couple of times: "What shall I perform? The Russians and the Europeans will not understand the language of duduk". I replied that he should perform one piece, we should show duduk to the world.

We were in Ostankino studio two hours before the performance. Silent, anxious: we had to present Armenian culture to the entire Soviet Union and Eastern Europe. It was Vache's turn. I looked at him, his fingers were trembling. A moment later, he confidently approached the center of the studio, bowed and started "Hovern Ynkan". Eyes closed, he played with all the energy hidden in his small body, with emotional gestures. I guess, such bursts can happen only once in a lifetime. We, who stood on the backstage, where stunned. Vache came out soaking with sweat, his mind away from the reality, the surrounding fuss. We hugged... he was shivering, unable to say a word. We brought him a chair; he sat there staring at one point.

What does "Hovern Yncan" mean. I am curious to hear this piece now.I searched i-tunes, etc.-
nothing yet...
What a dramatic moment of truth that must have been! Such passion must be overwhelming!
El Catalan.

[Duduk]

many translate "Hovern EnKan" to The Cool Wind is blowing
but it's not the correct mining - have asked some friends - lets see if anyone can find something closer

[yavalia]

If possible, please correct the misspelling on the title, Vache or Vatche and Hovsepyan or Hovsepian.

I have found many variations of his name on the net that is confusing. Let's try to standardize his name on the internet. After all, he is considered the duduk master of all time...

Best of Wishes,

Valentine Grigorians

[yavalia]

many translate "Hovern EnKan" to The Cool Wind is blowing
but it's not the correct mining - have asked some friends - lets see if anyone can find something closer

I believe, the closest thing to "Hovern Enkan" is "The Autumn Is Here" ! (or The Weather Is Getting Cold)

Cool Breeze... perhaps!

[yavalia]

Erebuni-Yerevan 2750 - In 1968 the 2750-th anniversary of Yerevan city was celebrated. This was an all-Union celebration. Armenian radio and TV did a great job. Radio and TV programs were prepared for the Union Republics for the total length of 30 hours.

One of the first shows took place in Kazakhstan in May 1968. Similar ten-day celebrations also took place in other countries of the Soviet Union. The closing festival was on October 18 and 19. The radio and TV broadcasted gala conference from the Al. Speniaryan's Opera and Ballet Academic Theatre, and on 19th, at 10 o'clock the opening ceremony of the museum located in Erebuni fortress.

The Central TV allocated 1.5 hours of air time to the Armenian television. The organizer and editor of the festival program was Mark Petrosyan, Kim Arzumanyan was the director. Armenian delegation consisted of scientists, academicians, national instrumental and dancing ensembles; Ruben Matevosyan, Vache Hovsepyan, Gohar Gasparyan, Lusine Zakaryan and other famous artists were also there. The program was also broadcasted in European countries through the "Intervidenia" network.

- Quoted from ARMTV

[yavalia]

Had a very warm conversation today with Vatche(Vache)'s son and asked him several questions about the all-time grand master of duduk...

Vatche Hovsepian(Vache Hovsepyan was born on September 17,1925 and passed away on December 1,1978.

Peter Gabriel, takes credit and became famous with his all-time "Passion" album track, "The Feeling Begins" which later was used as his score in the movie, "The Last Temptation of Christ" that won him several international awards.
Rumors has it, that while traveling to Moscow, he had purchased numerous records from the Russian Melody Records company, and most probably, he heard the tune "Hovern Engan" by Vache at the time. He then incorporates that exact recording into his new works !
And, that's how, Vache Hovsepian's Hovern Engan, years later, ended up the most acclaimed tune of The Last Temptation of Christ movie released in 1988; by then, Vache had passed away a decade ago !

I had heard many duduk players play this tune and recently, many try to imitate Vache's style even with other instruments ! Alas, playing the tune, requires a certain spirit that only a few are blessed with such as the Legendary Armenian All-Time Grand Master Virtuoso of Duduk, Vatche Hovsepian(Vache)

It's just a shame, that some knowingly take advantage of certain situations and stamp national folklore tunes of a country as own masterpieces, without aknowledging the mastery of musicians who took them to fame.... but then again, we live in a cheating world of abuse, don't we !

With All Due Honesty,

Valentine Grigorians