SONGS OF PURITY

Armenian music today is in a state of tumult. Classically oriented music is generally overlooked while Armenia’s traditional folk songs are often distorted by modern interpretations. Suddenly, an unexpected breeze blows in, giving us hope that not all is lost; there remains an unsoiled and tasteful interpretation of Armenia’s folkloric musical heritage.

The breeze drifts in from New York and goes by the name of “Zulal”, an all-female Armenian a cappella folk trio. Their CD, aptly titled “Zulal”, meaning clarity, was a great discovery for me and my community. Zulal is comprised of three young Armenian women born in the U.S.A. – Teni Apelian, Yeraz Markarian and Anaïs Tekerian perform their own arrangements of Armenian rural and gousan (minstrel) songs in three-part harmonies. It is amazing how these three women, born in the Western world and living in a huge metropolis, have achieved such keen perception of the Armenian folk song and together create a striking sense of both depth and subtlety in their music.

It was nearly a hundred years ago that Komitas himself wrote ‘adolescent Armenian men perform songs in bad taste, while women have retained the vocal culture.’ The same remains true today: Zulal preserves the traditional Armenian song in a far-away land but with an absolutely fresh interpretation.

Zulal’s arrangements and voices produce great emotion, making a song that has become mundane sound like a new piece. They manage to touch the listener’s heart with gentle melodies sounding in parallel, smooth echoes, phrase repetitions, spontaneous accords, singing effects and very slight variations from the standard tune. Zulal Trio has a wide range of repertoire, expressing the lyrical emotions of a peasant girl and the playful spirit of ritual songs and work songs with the same degree of authenticity. The trio has truly revived old songs that could have previously seemed trivial and uninteresting to a popular audience with a sound that appeals to the Western ear and homage that remains respectful of Armenia’s folk roots. Particularly impressive is the song “I Go as a Bride” (Hars em Gnoum), in which the trio expresses the tragedy of a young, inexperienced girl being taken far away from her family home to begin a new life full of unknowns. The story as expressed by Zulal touches the very core of a listener.

Zulal’s musical presentation is measured and correct. One can sense the love and humility emanated by the performers in every sound they utter. A special charm is also added to the songs by the Western Armenian accent of the singers.

Zulal was formed in the fall of 2002, when three beautiful friends with beautiful names and voices began to discuss their love for a cappella singing and their affinity for the sounds and textures of Armenian folk music. Since then, Zulal has developed a solid performance record including a coast-to-coast U.S. tour, a special performance with Cirque du Soleil, a nomination for "Best Folk/World Album" at the 2005 Annual Contemporary A Cappella Recording Awards, and the distinctions of "Best Newcomer" and "Best Vocal Traditional Album" awards at the 2005 7th Annual Armenian Music Awards.

Zulal has performed in such esteemed venues as the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall, the Museum of the City of New York and Boston’s Tsai Performance Center along with performances for The Near East Foundation, The Embassy of the Republic of Armenia in Washington DC and the Annual Balkan Festival in New York City.