Modem Research in Armenian Musical Folkloristics. Spitak Region

Abstract

Modern Armenian folkloristics not only continues to collect folk material but also actively utilizes advancements from other fields of science. Ethnomusicological methods, such as the application of audiovisual technologies, digital archives, and databases, significantly expand research capabilities. One example is the project to create a digital archive of Armenian musical folklore, which includes not only recordings but also sheet music, lyrics, photographs of performers, and their biographies. The article presents materials from a 1975 scientific expedition in Spitak, included in the 14th volume of the series "Armenian Folk Songs and Melodies"compiled by the Chair of Armenian Musical Folkloristics at Yerevan State Conservatory. Thanks to the collecting efforts of the expedition's leader, Margarit Brutyan, a large volume of traditional Armenian songs, totaling 320 samples, were recorded and saved from oblivion, although many were lost due to the devastating earthquake. The published material is presented with complete scientific commentary, annotations, a glossary, and is classified according to genre and edited based on general
principles of notation by the volume's compiler, N. Atanasyan.