Tzovinar Artzrouni Publishes Work Songs: Part II

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YEREVAN, Armenia — American University of Armenia (AUA) adjunct lecturer Tzovinar Artzrouni recently compiled and edited a book titled Work Songs: Part II, the latest addition to the series “One Thousand and One Songs” of Armenian folk songs published by the Komitas Museum-Institute.

Artzrouni is a musicologist specialized in Armenian folk music. She combines her work at the Komitas Museum-Institute with teaching Music Appreciation at AUA. 

“As a researcher at the Komitas Museum-Institute, I thoroughly enjoyed the experience of working on such an important publication alongside my colleague, musicologist Astghik Martirosyan, the co-compiler and co-editor of the volume,” noted Artzrouni. “The series was planned a few years back, and six volumes have already been published, embracing Armenian folk songs — lyrical songs, wedding songs, dance-songs (պարերգեր). The previous volume, Work Songs: Part I, was dedicated to work songs typical to men. This volume is dedicated, again, to the genre of work songs in Armenian folk music and emphasizes those sung by women in the Armenian highlands.” 

The book contains 50 samples of work songs sung by women. As indicated in the preface, “the volume is intended for Armenian and non-Armenian musicologists and ethnographers, as well as for musicians and readers who have an interest in Armenian folk music.”

“One of the most interesting aspects of the work was how these centuries-old folk songs resonate today. Armenian folk music is my field, I love it, but I always question whether this generation will feel in tune with it. And I am always happily surprised to see that many do like it,” Artzrouni continues. “The history of the scholarly collecting, transcribing, and writing down of Armenian folk songs is relatively short in comparison with the life of the songs themselves. We had to select only 50 among so many gems of Armenian folk songs. The final product is a result of the incredible teamwork demonstrated by the Museum’s research department.”

The songs are brought in musical notation, and the lyrics presented in Armenian, English, and HMB (Hübschmann-Meillet-Benveniste) transliteration. Artzrouni is pleased to share that another member of the AUA community, Registrar Chaghig Chahinian, also participated in the realization of this volume by assisting in the English translation. Members of the University community who are interested in perusing the book can check it out from the AUA AGBU Papazian Library.

The next volume in the series, set to be published in 2024, will be dedicated to Armenian folk lullabies and will be again co-compiled and co-edited by Artzrouni. 

Founded in 1991, the American University of Armenia (AUA) is a private, independent university located in Yerevan, Armenia, affiliated with the University of California, and accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission in the United States. AUA provides local and international students with Western-style education through top-quality undergraduate and graduate degree and certificate programs, promotes research and innovation, encourages civic engagement and community service, and fosters democratic values. AUA’s Office of Development stewards the University’s philanthropic efforts exclusively for educational purposes.