[Duduk]

JIVAN JAN: MUSIC ACES COME TO YEREVAN FOR PROLIFIC DUDUK PLAYER’S TRIBUTE CONCERT




Tonight he will climb the stage to lead his audience to a different world with the plaintive but entrancing sounds of the duduk. World-famed Maestro Jivan Gasparyan will be joined by well-known musicians who have come to the Armenian capital Yerevan to honor the famous Armenian musician on his 80th birthday anniversary. “I have decided also to mark my 100th birthday anniversary,” said Gasparyan, explaining that the secret of his longevity is that he did not nose into other people’s affairs too much and lived peacefully. “It is very important for our country and will have a great significance,” the maestro said. On Tuesday, November 11, Armenian spectators will have an opportunity to enjoy the music played by such renowned musicians as legendary Alan Parsons, Zucchero, Pedro Eustache, Andreas Vollenweider, and others. The Jivan Gasparyan and Friends tribute concert series has been a subject of excitement and eagerly anticipation in Armenia for more than a month. The concert will take place at the Spot and Concert Complex, with the maestro himself also expected to perform. Despite the high price of tickets, which organizers say are sold for 10-50,000 drams ($30-165), the interest towards the concerts is unprecedented and tickets are sold at lightening speed. The concert organizers say that it is the first time in the history of Armenia that international stars from around the world have gathered in capital Yerevan to present their talent to the Armenian audience. “It is a great honor for us to be here. Jivan jan is one of the greatest artists I have ever met,” says Pedro Eustachen, a master of various wind instruments, whom the Armenian public knows from Yani concerts. “His greatness only yields to his humility, which is the greatest blessing. It is not the first time that with his sounds he has changed my heart and I can say with pride that I learned to play duduk from Jivan jan.” “We are very humbled to be here,” says prominent musician Andreas Vollenweider. “He [Jivan Gasparyan] many times broke my heart with his amazing performance. An amazing instrument, an amazing performer, an amazing man. I would love to play together with him again.” Jivan Gasparyan, the Master of the Duduk, has won four world-wide gold Medal UNESCO competitions (1959, 1962, 1973, and 1980). In 2002, he received the WOMEX (World Music Expo) lifetime achievement award. In recent years Gasparyan received additional recognition abroad due to his unparalleled duduk performances in popular movies “The Gladiator” and “The Siege”. “I do not consider myself to be elderly and still must work a lot,” said the 80-year-old maestro. The highly anticipated concert on Tuesday will also kick-start a four-day series of separate musical performances that will run through until Friday.
* Marianna Grigoryan