Working in conjunction with the Arshile Gorky Foundation and curators of the Gorky Retrospective at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Tate Gallery and the Los Angeles Getty Museum, Traditional Crossroads has produced a CD companion presenting music from Gorky’s Armenian homeland. This historic region, especially Gorky’s birth village of Khorkum, near the great Lake Van, was often colorfully described by Gorky as rich in agriculture, much of which he depicted in images of the Armenian plow, orchards, gardens and wheat fields. The same symbols were frequently reflected in folk songs of the region. Hear these songs, including one often danced by Gorky himself, played on authentic period instruments dating back to the 16th century, masterfully performed by the most renowned Armenian musicians including duduk virtuoso Djivan Gasparyan, udist, Richard A. Hagopian, The Shoghaken Ensemble and others.
The 12-page booklet includes extensive notes about the music with English translations of the songs, Gorky’s biography and photos of Gorky at work.