The Armenian Music Museum of New Julfa
There are so many different ways for you to spend your time in Isfahan. You can visit all of the famous sites: Dedicate a whole day to the Naghshe Jahan Square, go by the Zayandehrud River and its bridges, spend an evening in Jolfa, and you wouldn’t have even covered half of the city’s attractions. In the midst of all of these different choices, and with the sometimes overpowering stress of traveling, you may need some time to unwind. And, when you’re in need of some relaxation, what’s better than some music? Well, here in Isfahan, you can take a trip to the Armenian Music Museum of New Julfa, where you can learn about Armenian-Iranian music in a relaxing environment!
Located in the famous Sangtarashha (stone cutters) Alleyway -an alleyway full of historical houses and charming cafes, the Armenian Music Museum hasn’t been in operation for long, but has already established its place among the worthwhile attractions of Isfahan. We will get into the history behind the museum in a bit, but first, a brief tangent about the music of Armenia can be helpful.
The History of Armenian Music
Like a lot of cultures in the middle-east (and Asia at large), Armenian music is not based on the Western 12-tonal system. Rather, it uses a system of tetrachords, and notes are divided to an extended level: While in Western music, notes are divided by semi-tones, Eastern music uses quarter-tones as well, producing a sound with a unique character that is somewhat foreign to Western listeners.
Armenian music dates back to the 3rd millennium BC and has a strong presence in the nation’s religious and secular culture. The Sharakans (Armenian chants) and Taghs are some of the most common forms, and are traditionally written in Khazes (an indigenous system of musical notation). During the Romantic era in music, a priest/composer by the name of Komitas Vardapet who came to be known as the father of modern Armenian music collected and transcribed much of the folk music.
The Foundation of the Armenian Music Museum
While the museum became open to public visitors only as recently as 2021, the building itself dates back to 1958, when it was purchased by a family of Armenian-Iranian philanthropists to house orphaned children. Fortunately, since 2004, the Armenian Quarters has not been housing any orphaned children (according to this statement), and the building was turned into a music school.
Nowadays, you can visit the Armenian Music Museum of New Julfa to understand Armenian musicians’ role in the modernization of music in Iran, familiarize yourself with traditional Armenian instruments and famous musicians, visit an operational instrument building workshop, have a listen in the audio library, and end your day in the on-site café.
Not convinced? Take a virtual tour of the Armenian Music Museum of New Julfa right here!
Final Words
And that’s pretty much it! We hope this article has helped enlighten you about Isfahan! We’d love to talk to you about our culture when you come to Mahbibi Hostel, and be sure to check our Instagram, because who knows what events we may have! Also make sure to take a look at our other Isfahan blogs!
