‘The Dudukner Ensemble’

With its rich, melancholy colour, the duduk is a beloved instrument in Armenia and far beyond. It is often played solo or in a duo, with an accompanying instrument deepening the melody with a sustained note. With a whole family of duduks – from soprano to bass – the Dudukner Ensemble goes a step further, managing to extend the traditional range and sound of the instrument. Since it was founded in 1998 by the famous Armenian duduk player Georgy Minasov, the ensemble has been performing internationally with a repertoire all of its own. It was the first to record a complete version of Komitas’ setting of the Armenian liturgy, as well as playing new forms of duduk polyphony and original work written especially for the ensemble. Their performances are always testimony to an exceptional heritage and pure musical mastery.