Ilda Simonian

Ilda Simonian's singing is deeply rooted in the ancient, distinctive Armenian music tradition.
Ilda Simonian, born in Turkey to Armenian parents, together with her ensemble interprets folk songs that are entrenched in the consciousness of Armenians. This ensures a sympathetic recognition from her Armenian audience but also from those audience members who are moved despite being unfamiliar with the Armenian folk repertoire. In addition she draws from the extraordinarily rich tradition of church hymns, which goes back to the fifth century A.D. The Armenian hymn collection has amassed over the course of a thousand years due to the devotion of Armenia's best poets and composers. The manner in which Ilda Simonian honours both traditions is impressive for those who enjoy the melodies and singing and especially for those familiar with the language, the lyrics and their background . Interpretations of songs by Komitas (1869-1935), both his arrangements of folk songs and those from the Armenian litergy, and by the famous poet-singer Sayat Nova (1712-1795) are a challenge for every professional musician. The repertoire also includes interpretations by modern composers such as Melikian and songs based on poems by famous poets from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries such as Bedros Dourian and Silva Gaboudikian, which make specific demands of the performer's talent.  

The melancholy music of the Armenians is rooted in an ancient, distinctive music tradition, which ranges from medieval liturgy singing and the traditional folk music of East-Anatolia and the Transcaucasus to Armenian classical music. The often sad and occassionally cheerful Armenian music is interpreted using authentic instruments like the kamantja (string intrument), tar (long-necked lute), kanun, oud, doudouk (wind instrument) and Armenian percussion "dhol" and with a melancholy singing voice. The Armenian soul is strongly represented in the refined, ancient Achough vocal art (troubadour-like songs), in the music of holidays and festivals, and also in the Charagans (antiphonies) which vary according to the appropriate religious festival.
Ilda Simonian and her ensemble present the wealth of this musical inheritance in their performances.

Musicians:

Vocals: Ilda Simonian
Doudouk: Raphalella Danksagmuller
Kanun: Bassem Kouri
Guitar: Ludmil Krumaov
Dhol: Baykal Dogan
Piano: Jorrit van der Ham

Link:

www.myspace.com/ildasimonian