Musician Tigran Hamasyan: Transform Folklore into Your Own Sound
Translated from Bulgarian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- Musician Tigran Hamasyan believes that when incorporating folklore into music, it must be transformed into something personal.
- He criticizes commercial music for using folklore merely as an effect, calling it a significant mistake.
- Hamasyan stresses the importance of the creative process, likening it to how children play, for every composer.
Tigran Hamasyan, a renowned musician, articulated his perspective on the integration of folklore into contemporary music, emphasizing the necessity of personal transformation. He stated that the essence of engaging with folk traditions lies in making them one's own, rather than simply adopting them superficially.
Hamasyan expressed a strong disapproval of how commercial music often utilizes folklore. He described this practice as using folk elements merely as an "effect," which he considers a "greatest mistake." This approach, in his view, strips the music of its authenticity and disrespects the cultural heritage it draws upon.
What I don't like is when commercial music uses folklore as an effect. For me, that's the biggest mistake.
The musician underscored the fundamental importance of the creative process itself. He likened the act of musical creation to the uninhibited way children play, highlighting that this spontaneous and intrinsic drive to create is vital for every composer. This perspective suggests that genuine artistry stems from personal exploration and passion, rather than external pressures or trends.
To play just because you feel like playing, like children do. This process is extremely important for every composer.
Originally published by Dnevnik in Bulgarian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.