Sharakan Early Music Ensemble

Sharakan Early Music Ensemble

Genres: Armenian, early music, medieval, traditional, early music performer

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About Sharakan Early Music Ensemble

The Sharakan Early Music Ensemble (Armenian: Շարական անսամբլ) was founded in 1991 with the aim of performing Armenian music from the Middle Ages, beginning with works from the 5th century. The ensemble was established by Grigor Danielian, who adopted the pseudonym Daniel Erazhisht for his musical activities. The name Daniel Erazhisht translates to "Daniel the Musician" and references a notable 11th-century Armenian musician. The ensemble's name is derived from "sharakan," a term for the melismatic monophonic chants used in the liturgy of the Armenian Apostolic Church. The ensemble collaborated with several guest musicians on their album "The Music of Armenia vol. 2: Medieval Chant," released by the label Celestial Harmonies. Among the featured artists is soprano Anna Mailan, who performs on seven tracks. Other contributors include Hovhannes Darbinian, a performer on the Armenian tar; Ara Avanian, a vocalist featured on the song "Horzham"; and classical pianist Margarit Sarkissian. Armenian medieval music is rooted in both the liturgical traditions of the Armenian Church and the bardic heritage of the Caucasus region. While some compositions are preserved in their original forms, many have survived due to the efforts of early 20th-century composer and musicologist Komitas. The album "The Music of Armenia, Volume Two: Sharakan" presents music that spans over fifteen centuries. Some arrangements reflect the influence of Komitas, while others blend Near Eastern melodic elements with European classical instrumentation, including string quartet, voice, and flute. Armenia's adoption of Christianity contributed to shared musical elements with Europe, particularly in choral and ecclesiastical works. However, due to geographical and historical factors, including the early separation of the Armenian Church from the Roman Catholic tradition, Armenian sacred music also developed distinctive characteristics. As a result, the music may exhibit similarities to European liturgical traditions, such as Gregorian chant, while also incorporating unique regional features.

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