UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music: The Naghash Ensemble of Armenia

“The sounds of Ancient Armenia reimagined for the 21st century” — Tigran Mansurian

The Naghash Ensemble combines the earthy spirituality of Armenian folk songs, new classical music, and contemporary post-minimalism with the energy of rock and jazz. Three brilliant vocalists and some of Armenia’s finest instrumentalists on duduk, oud, dhol, and piano play captivating new music based on sacred texts by the medieval Armenian mystic poet and priest, Mkrtich Naghash.

Written by Armenian-American composer John Hodian, The Naghash Ensemble’s “Songs of Exile” is a meditation on man’s relationship to God from the perspective of a monk forced to live in exile for many years.

“A moment of grace and meditation” — Rolling Stone

“A stunning discovery” — Bayerischer Rundfunk

“Part folk music, part classical, and profoundly moving. Unmistakably Armenian, but out of this world” – Armenisch-Deutsche Korrespondenz

“An enchanting elixir of sounds based on new Armenian folk and centuries-old poetry”— KEXP

“An unusually subtle, yet accessible world of sound. Bell-like voices entice with shimmering melodic arcs, canon-like shifts and contrapuntal lines. Without dramatic vibrato, the singers create a tantalizing intensity of spiritual depth.” — Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung

The Naghash Ensemble Members:

Hasmik Baghdasaryan – soprano

Tatevik Movsesyan – soprano

Arpine Ter-Petrosyan – alto

Tigran Hovhannisyan – dhol

Aram Nikoghosyan – oud

Harutyun Chkolyan – duduk

John Hodian - piano/composer