Armenian Lullabies and Songs of Longing

One of Armenia's leading folk singers, Hasmik Harutyunyan is world-renowned for her work with Yerevan's Shoghaken Ensemble and for her mellifluous renditions of Armenian lullabies, one of the most ancient and evocative genres in Armenian music. Her quietly passionate interpretations of lullabies from historical villages across the Armenian plateau offer a mesmerizing glimpse at a lost world. She draws strength and inspiration from her ancestors in the province of Mush in Historic Armenia, especially her grandmother, Mafo (pictured on reverse), who sang to her as a child. In addition to songs sung by her family, Hasmik learned many of the lullabies in her repertoire from old women who had emigrated from Anatolia to eastern Armenia before or during the Armenian massacres of 1915, as well as from their descendants and old song collections.
Hasmik Harutyunyan's CD "Armenian Lullabies" (Traditional Crossroads) was praised in a New York Times review as "The best Armenian recording worldwide".
Joining Hasmik Harutyunyan will be the women's vocal ensemble Kitka. Kitka, meaning "bouquet" in Bulgarian and Macedonian, is now celebrating its 30th anniversary season. Kitka began as a grassroots group of singers from diverse ethnic and musical backgrounds who shared a passion for the stunning dissonances, asymmetric rhythms, intricate ornamentation, lush harmonies, and resonant strength of Balkan, Slavic, and Caucasian women's vocal traditions. The group has since evolved into a professional touring ensemble, earning international recognition for its artistry, versatility, and fresh approach to folk music. Through a busy itinerary of live and broadcast performances, recordings, educational programs, commissioning programs and collaborations, Kitka has exposed millions to the haunting beauty of their unique repertoire.
With these concerts, Kitka celebrates the release of Cradle Songs, their 9th CD release and second songbook publication on their own Diaphonica label. A stunning collection of traditional and original lullabies and songs of childhood, Cradle Songs features three Armenian lullabies taught to Kitka by Ms. Harutyunyan.
Order Cradle Songs and concert tickets online at www.kitka.org or call 510.444.0323
This project is supported, in part, by grants from the James Irvine Foundation, the Walter and Elise Haas Fund, The Clorox Community Foundation, and the City of Oakland Cultural Funding Program.