Armenian Echoes Part One (2012)

Armenian Echoes part one, Music is the very essence of the cultural identity of a people. In this film Hagop Goudsouzian continues his 7-month journey through Armenia in pursuit of his dream, the soul of Armenian Music. In the mini-series Armenian Echoes we touch that soul from ancient spiritual songs, through rural and urban dancers to the unsung musicians from isolated villages. In his first film on the music of Armenia, Armenian Minstrels, Hagop Goudsouzian spends a month filming renowned minstrels, featuring the Sayat-Nova Minstrel Song Ensemble. Now, in Armenian Echoes he continues his quest to capture and feel the sounds of Armenia. Part one features Onik Galstyan, kamancha player in the famous Aram Merangulyan Folk Instruments Ensemble, Arthur Shahnazarian, the eminent musicologist, as he revives ancient spiritual songs written in Khaz performed by the National Chamber Choir of Armenia, the famed Sasun Dance Troupe of Ashnak, Edik Safaryan, celebrated Minstrel from the remote village of Aygedzor and the Surb Tiramayr Choir from Vanadzor. Hagop Goudsouzian weaves a beautiful series showcasing a unique glimpse of Armenian life through its music, the very essence of cultural identity.