Artyom Minasyan – Project Musician and Tradition Bearer
Artyom Minasyan was born in 1979 in Vedi, Armenia. He began learning the Duduk at the age of 10 at the music school in his hometown, nurtured by a family deeply immersed in music, his grandmother often sang Armenian folk and traditional songs.
At 18, he continued his musical studies at the Komitas Conservatory in Yerevan and simultaneously joined the Tatoul Altounian National Orchestra as principal Duduk player. His expressive playing and technical mastery quickly made him stand out, leading to performances in Armenia and abroad, including Austria, Mongolia, France, and more.
In 2004, he released his first solo album, Otar amayi tchampeki vra, marking the beginning of his solo career.
Settled in France since 2007, Artyom Minasyan maintains a vibrant artistic career. He performs solo, teaches Duduk in several cultural centers, and collaborates with a range of groups and ensembles on diverse musical projects.
His style, rooted in tradition yet open to various musical languages, allows him to integrate seamlessly into many formations in France, where he cultivates a rich and varied artistic presence.
Collaborations
Since moving to France, Artyom has built an extensive network of artistic collaborations. He has shared the stage with renowned artists such as Lisa Gerrard and Jordi Savall, bringing the unique voice of the Duduk to a variety of musical worlds.
His mastery of traditional Armenian instruments, Duduk, Shvi, Blul, Zurna, Pku, as well as the clarinet, combined with his natural stage presence, enables him to contribute to projects of diverse aesthetics, from Armenian and Anatolian music to jazz, classical, and pop, while maintaining a distinctive and expressive sound signature.
Musical Groups
Artyom is a long-standing member of several groups, performing regularly in France and internationally.
Papiers d'Arménies
A French ensemble inspired by the musical traditions of Armenia, Georgia, Greece, and Anatolia. The group includes Dan Gharibian (guitar, vocals), Macha Gharibian (piano, vocals), Gérard Carcian (Kamancha, backing vocals), Aret Derderyan (accordion, vocals), and Artyom Minasyan (Duduk, Clarinet, Shvi, Blul, Zurna, Pku, and backing vocals).
Artyom's expertise in Armenian instruments brings essential depth and authenticity to the group. Their 2021 album Guenats Pashas showcases the fusion of Eastern and Western sounds and each member's strong musical identity.
Alexis Avakian Jazz Quintet
Formed in 2014, this jazz group was founded by saxophonist Alexis Avakian and includes Ludovic Allainmat (piano), Mauro Gargano (double bass), and Fabrice Moreau (drums). Artyom joined in 2017, bringing the Duduk's unique sound to contemporary jazz.
The album Hi Dream, incorporating Armenian traditional elements, received critical acclaim, including four stars from Jazz Magazine and a mention in Les Inrockuptibles' top 10 French jazz albums of 2017.
Canticum Novum
Canticum Novum is a French ensemble renowned for its work with early music, with a particular focus on repertoires that connect the musical traditions of Western Europe (Spain, France, Italy) with those of the Mediterranean basin and the Near East. Through a historically informed approach and a commitment to intercultural dialogue, the ensemble explores repertoires with diverse roots, creating performances of great sonic and emotional richness.
Artyom Minasyan contributes to the ensemble’s sonic palette. A specialist in traditional Armenian instruments, he performs on the Duduk, Zurna, Pku, and Blul, bringing to Canticum Novum the depth and warmth characteristic of Armenian music. His presence enhances the unique identity of the ensemble and fully embodies its mission to weave living connections between ancient musical cultures.
Deleyaman
Deleyaman is a Franco-American band founded in 2000 in Normandy by American multi-instrumentalist Aret Madilian, of Greek-Armenian descent, and French singer Beatrice Valantin. Their music, difficult to categorize, blends elements of art rock, dark wave, post-punk, and world music, creating a poetic and introspective atmosphere.
The group is recognized as one of the first alternative rock ensembles to permanently incorporate the Duduk into its lineup. This role is fulfilled by Artyom Minasyan, whose mastery of the Duduk brings a unique depth to their sound.
Deleyaman
Deleyaman collaborated with Fanny Ardant on the piece Black Rainbow, in which the actress lends her voice to a spoken-word poem. Artyom Minasyan contributes to the track, first on the Duduk and then on the Pku, adding a sound that is both deep and ethereal.
Deleyaman - Black Rainbow (Deleyaman & Fanny Ardant - Maison de la Poésie, 2021) © Deleyaman
Carali Trio
Within this group, Artyom enriches the compositions with the deep and expressive sounds of his traditional instruments, contributing to the musical fusion between East and West.
Their 2017 album Entre l'Orient et l'Occident (Music Carves the Sky) reflects this harmonious collaboration. Tracks such as Élégie highlight Artyom's talent on the Duduk, bringing a distinctive emotional depth to the trio's works.
Entre l'Orient et l'Occident © Carali Trio
Oblivion, performed by the Carali Trio, is a rendition of the renowned piece by Astor Piazzolla. The trio offers a subtle and emotional interpretation, with the duduk, played by Artyom Minasyan, adding a distinctive tonal color. The combination of piano, cello, and Duduk gives the piece a gentle and introspective atmosphere, while preserving the original spirit of the composition.
Carali Trio - Oblivion © Carali Trio
Carali Trio - Élégie © Carali Trio
Jordi Savall
Artyom Minasyan & Jordi Savall
Kaldûn
"Kaldûn" is a musical theater piece written and directed by Abdelwaheb Sefsaf, premiered in October 2023 at the Théâtre Molière in Sète. This epic and politically engaged production revisits three major uprisings from the late 19th century: the Paris Commune (1870), the Mokrani revolt in Algeria (1871), and the Kanak uprising in New Caledonia (1878). These events are linked by the shared fate of their insurgents, who were deported by the French colonial authorities to New Caledonia—nicknamed “Kaldûn” by the deported Algerians.
On stage, fifteen artists from Europe, Algeria, and New Caledonia, including actor-singers, musicians, and a dancer-slam poet, bring this historical fresco to life. Music plays a central role in the production, drawing from Kanak, Berber, and 19th-century revolutionary traditions to create a profound connection between cultures and eras.
In this project, Artyom Minasyan contributes to the show’s sonic identity by performing with several traditional instruments: the Duduk, Pku, and clarinet. His musical presence adds a layer of depth that reinforces the production’s intercultural and emotionally resonant nature.
Kaldûn Teaser © Les Célestins, Théâtre de Lyon
Yerevan Ensemble
Yerevan Ensemble ©
Film Score Contributions
Celui qu'on attendait - Serge Avedikian (2016)
Celui qu'on attendait, directed by Serge Avédikian, is a poignant cinematic work exploring themes of memory, identity, and transmission. The film delicately addresses the voice, exile, and collective remembrance.
The soundtrack stands out for its deep, emotionally charged atmosphere, to which Artyom Minasyan contributes meaningfully. His performance on the Duduk brings an intimate and expressive resonance that subtly supports the narrative and enhances its poetic dimension.
Celui qu'on entendait © Serge Avédikian
Rien ne t'efface - Jérôme Cornuau (2025)
Rien ne t'efface is a French television mini-series directed by Jérôme Cornuau, adapted from the novel of the same name by Michel Bussi, published in February 2021. The series consists of six 52-minute episodes and is co-produced by Shine Fiction (Banijay) and TF1.
The original soundtrack, composed by Armand Amar, renowned for his sensitivity to traditional instruments, features the Duduk as a central element of its sonic landscape. Artyom Minasyan contributes as a performer, bringing the richness and expressive depth of the Duduk to the series’ musical atmosphere.
Rien ne t'efface © TF1
Artyom Minasyan & Armand Amar
Musical Collaborations
With Rusan Filitzek
As part of the production of Rusan Filitzek’s albums Sans Soucis and Exils, Artyom Minasyan collaborates on several tracks alongside the virtuoso of the saz and oud. His contribution stands out for his ability to adapt to Filitzek’s musical style while occasionally retaining the expressive signature of his traditional Armenian playing.
Exils © Accords Croisés
Sans Soucis © Accords Croisés
In the track Kubar Yarê Esmere, sung in Kurdish, Artyom Minasyan first performs on the Duduk, then switches to the Pku at 2:32, adding a festive and energetic tone to the composition. This piece aptly showcases Artyom Minasyan’s versatility and his ability to adapt to a wide range of musical styles, while enriching each piece with his instrumental sensitivity.
With Mikayel Hakhnazaryan
As part of the production of the album Inner World, led by cellist Mikayel Hakhnazaryan and pianist Lia Hakhnazaryan, Artyom Minasyan performs on two emblematic pieces from the Armenian classical repertoire: Krunk and Garuna.
His interpretation on the Duduk adds a distinctive depth to these works, creating a subtle dialogue between Western classical music and Armenian tradition. This collaboration highlights the richness of artistic intersections between traditional instruments and classical ensembles.
Mikayel Hakhnazaryan © Accords Croisés
With Sinfonia Pop Ochestra
As part of the concert tour dedicated to the Sinfonia Pop Orchestra’s live film screening of Gladiator, Artyom Minasyan took part in several performances as a Duduk soloist. His role was to perform live the iconic scenes in which the Duduk is featured in the film’s original soundtrack.
During the six-date tour across France, Switzerland, and Belgium, Artyom accompanied the orchestra, bringing the authentic sound of the Armenian instrument to the stage and faithfully recreating the film’s emotional atmosphere. The tour also featured singer Lisa Gerrard, co-composer of the original soundtrack alongside Hans Zimmer, further enhancing the artistic fidelity and emotional depth of each performance.
Gladiator Live © Sinfonia Pop Orchestra
Artyom Minasyan lors de la tournée © Artyom Minasyan
With Marine Gyulumyan
Marine Gyulumyan is an Armenian composer and pianist born in Yerevan, now based in France.
In tribute to Patrick Devedjian, she collaborated with Artyom Minasyan on a piece entitled No Corona, specially composed for the occasion. The piece combines piano and Duduk in a restrained and emotive composition.
NO CORONA (Hommage à Patrick Devedjian) © Marine Gyulumyan
Discography and Albums
Albums
In 2004, Artyom Minasyan released a solo album entitled Otar amayi tchampeki vra (“On the Deserted Paths of the Foreigner”). Through this recording, he conveys his deep connection to the traditional Armenian repertoire. The album stands out for its technical mastery, respect for popular melodies, and sensitivity in interpretation, reflecting the seriousness and finesse with which Artyom approaches each piece.
Otar Amayi Champen (Օտար, ամայի ճամփեքի վրա) © Artyom Minasyan
Single
Mayr im Pashtelis
In Mayr im Pashtelis (“My Beloved Mother”), Artyom Minasyan performs a personal composition that is both intimate and emotional. Dedicated to his mother, the piece stands out for its heartfelt vocal interpretation, accompanied by the Blul.
Yerazank
Yerazanq © Artyom Minasyan
Events
Artyom Minasyan - Ave Maria - France 2 - Les chrétiens d'Orient © Artyom Minasyan
Teaching
Deeply committed to passing on the art of the Duduk, Artyom Minasyan regularly teaches through several well-known cultural associations in the Paris region, including MCA Alfortville, UGAB Paris, and the Croix Bleue of Arnouville.
For more information about his lessons, please refer to the dedicated section: Duduk Lessons.
