The Duduk and National Identity in Armenia (Hardcover) (ISBN-13: 9780810840751)

The book is an outline of the Armenian duduk, a cylindrical double-reed aerophone made of apricot-wood, and its relation to the Armenian identity. It attempts to deepen our understanding of musical instruments not only through an examination of musical and constructional features, but also through the application of a sociocultural framework which allows a theorization of the idea of the instrument as social being.

The discussion is centered on the different contexts in which the duduk is played. These are divided into two categories: solo and ensemble. Solo duduk performance includes the remarkable phenomenon of Armenian funeral music activity. Other contexts include special celebrations of national culture, duduk competitions, the recording studio and the film music studio. The main ensemble contexts of duduk performance are the Armenian folk orchestras. These are essentially Soviet creations designed to "advance" folk music. Their impact on folk music and folk musical life on Armenia is discussed with special attention to the "adjustments" which were necessary for the success of this institution. Folk ensembles have long been emblems of Armenian national culture which might explain how they have survived the collapse of the Soviet Union and its Marxist-Leninist policies which were these orchestras' very raison d'être.

The book will appeal to anyone with an interest in organological theory, Armenian culture, or world music.

Author: Andy H. Nercessian
ISBN-10: 0810840758
ISBN-13: 9780810840751
Publisher: Scarecrow Press
Language: English
Published: 08/28/2001
Pages: 144
Format: Hardcover
Weight: 0.61lbs
Size: 8.76h x 5.98w x 0.55d

Review Citation(s):
Reference and Research Bk News 02/01/2002 pg. 182

About the Author
Andy Nercessian is currently lecturer in ethnomusicology at the University of Durham, UK.