“Aznavour passed away, I cannot afford birthday celebrations” – “Master of the duduk” Jivan Gasparyan turns 90
People’s Artist of Armenia, world known musician and composer Jivan Gasparyan who is internationally renowned "master of the duduk," marks today the 90th anniversary of birthday. In an interview with Panorama.am, Gasparyan said no special events or celebrations are planned this year.
“Charles Aznavour died, and I cannot celebrate a birthday. We were friends. It hurts me to speak of my birthday this year in any way. I would probably get congratulations from children and grandchildren as well as phone calls,” Gasparyan said. In the musician’s words, the 90 years have passed as “one day.”
Speaking of future tours, Gasparyan informed concerts are planned in Moscow and Kazakhstan during the year. Meanwhile, on November 26, the Armenian National Academic Theatre of Opera and Ballet will host a concert dedicated to his 90th birthday anniversary. The event is organized by the ministry of culture.
Born in Solak, Armenia to parents from Mush, Gasparyan started to play duduk when he was six. In 1948, he became a soloist of the Armenian Song and Dance Popular Ensemble and the Yerevan Philharmonic Orchestra. He has won four medals at UNESCO worldwide competitions. In 1973 Gasparyan was awarded the honorary title People's Artist of Armenia received the WOMEX (World Music Expo) Lifetime Achievement Award in 2002.
Throughout his career, Gasparyan has worked with musicians such as Brian Eno, David Sylvian, Peter Gabriel and Michael Brook, and has composed music for many Hollywood soundtrack films, including 'The Siege' and 'Gladiator'.
To note, Jivan Gasparyan performed The Dle Yaman on Thursday at the gala concert in Republic Square on the margins of the 17th Summit of the International Organization of La Francophonie.
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