History

NAI Ensemble foundation

The Naregatsi Folk Instruments Ensemble was established on 27 August, 2008. The bases of the ensemble were laid back in March of 2005 when, free Tar and Kamancha classes were offered at the Naregatsi Art Institute. Over a 3 year academic course many concerts were organized with the participation of the Tar and Kamancha students. This inspired yet another incentive of establishing a Tar and Kamancha ensemble which will not only be an instrumental group but would also have vocalists. The name of the ensemble was chosen to be Naregatsi as the Naregatsi Art Institute was the birthplace and later a home to the initiative.
The artistic director of the Naregatsi Folk Ensemble is well known Tar player Hovig Sahagian. The aim of the ensemble is to ignite love and interest, in the new generation, towards Armenian folk musical instruments as it is up to the new generation to work towards the preservation and further development of Armenian folk culture.
The first concert of the ensemble was held on the day of its formation (August 27, 2008) during the opening ceremony of the "Lebanese Culture Week in Armenia". Later the ensemble had concerts in the regions of RA and Artsakh: Goris, Sisian, Stepanakert, Shushi, Sevan, etc. In 2009 musicians of Naregatsi Folk Instruments Ensemble participated in different competitions: "The 3rd traditional instruments and solo folk song artists' national competition", ""Veratsnund" International contest-festival". A number of young musicians were awarded prizes in different categories.
The ensemble is planning to have concerts in the regions and abroad, as well as they are going to participate in international festivals.
Naregatsi folk ensemble received an invitation to visit Lion, France in April - May, 2010. The tour was financed by Rhône-Alpes of Lyon and the ensemble had concerts in about 10 cities of France and Switzerland: Lyon, Toulouse, Cahors, Sarlat, St. Chamassy, Romans, Montelimar, Geneva, Zurich, Lugano and Paris.

Productions

Naregatsi Ensemble: Debut Album

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Aravot Luso
Armenian folk round dance
Kani vur djan im
Baghdagiuli
Msho Gelnen
Ov du Gusan
Ghapama
Ari indz angaj kal
Tarlan-tarlan
Shushiki
(Sharan) Compilation of different Armenian folk songs
Zurni Trngui

The first CD of Naregatsi Folk Instruments Ensemble - 2010

The album features Armenian folk music and minstrel songs. It includes “‘Aravot Luso” in Zaven Tagakchyan’s rendition, "Kani vur djan im" and "Ari indz angaj kal" by Sayat-Nova, "Baghdagiuli" in Alexander Tadevosyan’s rendition, "Ghapama" in Tatul Altunyan’s rendition, "Tarlan-tarlan" by Sheram, "Shushiki" by Komitas, as well as folk circle and solo dances.

The recording of the album was performed at the Naregatsi Art Institute Music Studio. As part of the Institute’s charitable publishing activities, the album is one among the many publications, already sponsored and produced by the Institute, pursuing its mission of preservation, promotion and development of Armenian culture.

The production comes along with voluminous liner notes in Armenian, English and French inserted in the CD’s nicely designed paper case. The liner notes feature photos of folk instruments with accompanying descriptions, and a preamble by Haytoug Shamlian discussing the etymology of the word ‘instrument’.

For their first album Naregatsi Folk Instruments Ensemble won the prestigious Best Folk Album of the Year title at the "Armenian Music Awards 2010". The honorable statue was handed to them at the grand ceremony on March 27, 2011.

Naregatsi Ensemble: Rebirth

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Festive prelude
Armenian melodies
Ani
Impromptu
Qélé Qélé Andzrev ekav Shogher Jan (Come On, Let's Go!)
Martiki Yerke
Phapsody
Regtime
Garoun a (It's spring)
Caravan

Naregatsi Folk Instruments Ensemble - CD “Rebirth” - 2012

Naregatsi Folk Instruments Ensemble with their second album "Rebirth" presented minstrel, folk, ethnographical songs, pieces of Armenian spiritual music, as well as Armenian classic compositions. The symbolic title of the CD not only concluded another period for Naregatsi Folk Instruments Ensemble, but also wrapped up the year at the Naregatsi Art Institute, becoming a symbolic beginning for the next year.

The album features the following works: “Festive Prelude” by G. Manasyan, "Armenian melodies" by Sh.Saghatelyan, "Ani" by M. Toshikyan, H. Shiraz; "Impromptu" and "Rhapsody" by Ts. Hovhannisyan, "Qele-Qele" (Come on, Let’s Go), "Andzrev Ekav” (Started Raining), "Shogher Jan" (Dear Shogher) and "Garoun a” (It’s Spring) by Komitas, "Martiki Erg” (Soldier Song) by A.Satyan, G. Saryan; "Regtime" by S. Joplin, "Caravan" by O. Galustyan.

The recording of the album was performed at the Naregatsi Art Institute Music Studio. As part of the Institute’s charitable publishing activities, the album is one among the many publications, already sponsored and produced by the Institute, pursuing its mission of preservation, promotion and development of Armenian culture.

Award

Debut Production and a Prestigeous Award at the Armenian Music Awards 2010

On March 21, 2011, the first ever recorded CD of Naregatsi Armenian Folk Instruments Ensemble won the prestigeous “Best Folk Album of the Year” award at the Armenian National Music Awards 2010 ceremony in Yerevan, Armenia.

The album is a 2010 Naregatsi Art Institute production and features Armenian folk music and minstrel songs. The album includes, among others, “Aravot Luso” in Zaven Tagakchyan’s rendition, “Kani vur djan im” and “Ari indz angaj kal” by Sayat-Nova, “Baghdagiuli” in Alexander Tadevosyan’s rendition, “Ghapama” in Tatul Altunyan’s rendition, “Tarlan-tarlan” by Sheram, “Shushiki” by Komitas, as well as folk circle and solo dances.

The production comes along with voluminous liner notes in Armenian, English and French inserted in the CD’s nicely designed paper case. The liner notes feature photos of folk instruments with accompanying descriptions, and a preamble by Haytoug Shamlian discussing the ethymology of the word “instrument”.

Events

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