Arziv Orkestra, Neva Hijaz Kanto Elmale/Erzingan Oyun Havase
Name/Title
Arziv Orkestra, Neva Hijaz Kanto Elmale/Erzingan Oyun HavaseDescription
This collection represents the complete discography of the Arziv (“Eagle”) Trio of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, who recorded and self-released discs during the 1940s. The ensemble was one of three prominent Philadelphia Armenian kef (“good time”) groups recording prolifically during that period, alongside the Gomidas Band and the Vosbikian Band. The recordings are presented here in reverse chronological order of their release. The group was led by violinist Haroutiun “Bernard” Kondourajian, an immigrant from Aintab who arrived in the United States in December 1913 and later settled at 5244 Irving Street in Philadelphia. His wife, Violet, a survivor originally from Kayseri, also emigrated to the United States following the Armenian Genocide. Evidence suggests that Bernard and Violet first lived and worked in Troy, New York, where they may have crossed paths with Garabet Merjanian, who had also settled there. After relocating to West Philadelphia, Kondourajian operated a shoe repair business for many years. Coincidentally, his surname in Armenian literally means “son of the shoemaker.” Oud player Krikor “George” Kalayjian, who died in March 1952, was originally from Evereg near Kayseri and entered the United States through Ellis Island in December 1912. He initially worked in Troy, New York, likely meeting Kondourajian while employed in the shirt-collar industry. By 1930, he had relocated to Philadelphia, where he taught oud and operated the Haigagan Club at 6011–6013 Market Street, a cultural venue that also sold records, musical instruments, and related goods. The trio’s percussionist, Krikor “Tommy” Nercesian, was originally from Kharpert and arrived through the port of Philadelphia in August 1913. The Arziv Trio divided its performances between Philadelphia and the Armenian resort communities of the Catskills—often called the “yogurt belt.” Nercesian composed the well-known “Catskillin Yerke,” a song inspired by those summer communities. That piece later became connected in Armenian musical memory with the development of Come On-a My House, written by William Saroyan and Ross Bagdasarian, who later became widely known as the creator of Alvin and the Chipmunks. The group toured extensively across Pennsylvania, New York, and New Jersey and maintained a close working relationship with Edward Bogosian. Surviving recordings suggest they may have served as his backing ensemble on multiple sessions; Nercesian is even mentioned by name on certain Bogosian releases. Their recording of “Oghlan Oghlan” appears to reinterpret a version associated with New York musician Marko Melkon, while “Soundin Bare” may represent one of the earliest recorded responses to Bogosian’s popular “Sood E Sood E.” Collectively, the Arziv Trio’s recordings document an important moment in the development of Armenian-American kef music and reveal the close artistic connections among Philadelphia and New York Armenian musicians during the mid-twentieth century.Audio Format
78 RPM RecordRecording Type
MusicCategory
Vinyl Record