One of the remarkable masters in Armenian performing arts, the legendary Jivan Gasparyan turned 85. But he will continue to create, amaze and charm the world, which was introduced to the ancient and enigmatic Armenian duduk. Jivan Gasparyan is truly called the “magician with the duduk” since he was able to turn this small and, in many cases, the unnoticeable instrument into an instrument that is loved and recognized around the world by playing melodies that have charmed many people who have seen the suffering and joy of our nation in every modulation.

Jivan Gasparyan made the duduk be heard in jazz and symphony orchestras, continuing the wonderful experiment that prominent composer Avet Terteryan had done. Vache Hovsepyan was the first to play the duduk with the symphony orchestra, and Jivan Gasparyan went on to enrich the already established traditions and made the small instrument internationally recognized.

Jivan Gasparyan considers himself a citizen of Yerevan since he was born not far from Yerevan, has spent his entire life here and has become an inseparable part of the city. Jivan lost his mother at a young age. His father became a military serviceman and didn’t have the opportunity to raise his son. Little Jivan found himself at an orphanage and felt the sadness and bitterness of being an orphan. It was at the orphanage where he started liking the duduk. He started playing the instrument for the first time at the age of 6 without any teacher or advisor. He was able to learn more about the instrument by himself and discovered the wonderful sounds of the duduk.

In 1947, Jivan Gasparyan and his recreational group leave for Moscow where they participate in a festival for self-made artists and receive the Pobeda watch as a gift from the head of state, Stalin. The young musician gets motivated and becomes more dedicated to learn and aspires for perfection. In 1949, Tatul Altunyan, who especially liked young and talented musicians, heard Jivan play and was charmed. Jivan Gasparyan didn’t have a musical background. He performed with the Music Lovers’ Orchestra of Yerevan, and this was the orchestra that Jivan played with. Tatul Altunyan listened to the orchestra and gave the young musician advice.

In 1956, Jivan Gasparyan receives his first prize at a contest for dudukists. Armenia had a wonderful school of dudukists led by Levon Madoyan. Jivan Gasparyan wasn’t a student of the masters, but listened to their performances and learned a lot from them. From the very first performances, it became clear that he loved playing with emotions, feeling the music and showed his mastery.

In 1959, he receives his first gold medal at the Fourth International Festival held under the patronage of UNESCO. He scored a silver medal and a bronze medal in 1962 and 1963, respectively.

After this competition, Armenia granted him the honorary title of National Artist of the Republic of Armenia in 1973. In 1988, Bryan Ino happened to hear the musician play in Moscow and decided to invite him to London. Jivan came onto the international music scene when Peter Gabriel used his performance in Martin Scorsese’s film The Last Temptation of Christ. The sounds of the duduk and Jivan Gasparyan were a breakthrough in that film. The film had an impact on many viewers. Later, Jivan Gasparyan took part in the creation of the Hollywood film Gladiator…

Today, People’s Artist of the Republic of Armenia Jivan Gasparyan is 85 years old. He has amazing vigor and creativity. Today, he is sharing his skills and experience with his grandson, the junior Jivan Gasparyan, who is also internationally recognized…

Levon Mutafyan