Oaksenham
Encyclopedia
Established in 2001 Oaksenham’s core consists of experienced musicians that played in a range of influential Armenian rock
bands: Vahagn Papayan (a.k.a. Dumbarton Oaks
) and Ashot Korganyan from the same progressive band very popular in 90s in Armenia
(a.k.a. Strangers, Bambir 2).
Professionally educated musicians, nearly all of them are graduates of the Yerevan State Komitas Conservatory
they soon proved their serious intentions upon giving a very good concert in June 2002.
In addition to the electrical program the band also boasts an acoustic one, part of which was presented to public on March 18 2004 at the opening of the British Posters Exhibition organized by British Council
Yerevan
. For this time it was their “Beatles Fantasy” performed with a woodwind ensemble that met a very warm response from public and media.
The Oaksenham were highly claimed in the leading European and North American prog journals for their debut live CD “Woden’s Eve” self-released in 2004, among them Classic Rock Society
(UK), Expose (USA), Prog-Resiste (Belgium
), Strutter-zine (Netherlands
). There are articles dedicated to the band in the Gibraltar Encyclopedia of Progressive Rock, GEPR (USA).
In summer 2006 the band finished mixing and mastering of their first studio album “Conquest of the Pacific” and already received enthusiastic comments for sent-out promo-version of the album. As a result Oaksenham signed a respected license deal with a leading French label Musea and the album's official release occurred in November 2007. Immediately a very warm response from general public and prog-connoisseurs followed. This debut studio album was considered as one of best prog releases in 2007. Very respectful articles appeared in the GEPR, Progressor, and Proggnosis. The band entered into the new era of its existence - international respect has been granted.
Oaksenham now plans to appear in the clubs in Europe, at the international festivals and of course a new studio effort under the draft title "Hawks on Oaks", which will incorporate such pieces like excerpts from Symphonie Fantastique
by Hector Berlioz
and Peer Gynt
by Edward Grieg, should intrigue all music lovers.
----
2007 Conquest of the Pacific (Musea
, France
)
"Oaksenham have potential to please a prog-rock audience, especially those with a more eccentric outlook." Martin Hudson Classic Rock Society, UK (2004)
"A solid continuation of the classic prog style." Peter Thelen, Expose, USA (2004)
"The music of Oaksenham is all well orchestrated and expertly performed instrumental arrangements." Fred Trafton, GEPR, USA (2004)
“People looking for a real quality instrumental Prog-rock album need to check out this release”, Strutter-zine, Netherlands (2004)
Armenian rock
Armenian rock describes a wide variety of forms of rock music made in Armenia or by artists of Armenian descent.Among the most recognized groups of Soviet era were Arthur Meschian's Arakyalner, "1+2", "Kaleidoscope", and "Bliki". Following the loosening of state control in the early 1980s, a number...
bands: Vahagn Papayan (a.k.a. Dumbarton Oaks
Dumbarton Oaks
Dumbarton Oaks is the conventional name for the Dumbarton Oaks Research Library and Collection, situated on a historic property in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, D.C. The institution is administered by the Trustees for Harvard University. Its founders, Robert Woods Bliss and his wife...
) and Ashot Korganyan from the same progressive band very popular in 90s in Armenia
Armenia
Armenia , officially the Republic of Armenia , is a landlocked mountainous country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia...
(a.k.a. Strangers, Bambir 2).
Professionally educated musicians, nearly all of them are graduates of the Yerevan State Komitas Conservatory
Yerevan State Musical Conservatory
Yerevan State Musical Conservatory or Yerevan Komitas State Conservatory, is a conservatory located in Yerevan, Armenia. It was founded in 1921 as a music studio, and re-founded two years later as a higher musical education institution.-History:...
they soon proved their serious intentions upon giving a very good concert in June 2002.
In addition to the electrical program the band also boasts an acoustic one, part of which was presented to public on March 18 2004 at the opening of the British Posters Exhibition organized by British Council
British Council
The British Council is a United Kingdom-based organisation specialising in international educational and cultural opportunities. It is registered as a charity both in England and Wales, and in Scotland...
Yerevan
Yerevan
Yerevan is the capital and largest city of Armenia and one of the world's oldest continuously-inhabited cities. Situated along the Hrazdan River, Yerevan is the administrative, cultural, and industrial center of the country...
. For this time it was their “Beatles Fantasy” performed with a woodwind ensemble that met a very warm response from public and media.
The Oaksenham were highly claimed in the leading European and North American prog journals for their debut live CD “Woden’s Eve” self-released in 2004, among them Classic Rock Society
Classic Rock Society
Classic Rock Society, also known as the CRS, began life in 1991, originally as a society founded in Rotherham, England at the Florence Nightingale public house, which quickly progressed to become a large and well recognised organisation helping to forward the cause of Progressive rock, and Classic...
(UK), Expose (USA), Prog-Resiste (Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
), Strutter-zine (Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
). There are articles dedicated to the band in the Gibraltar Encyclopedia of Progressive Rock, GEPR (USA).
In summer 2006 the band finished mixing and mastering of their first studio album “Conquest of the Pacific” and already received enthusiastic comments for sent-out promo-version of the album. As a result Oaksenham signed a respected license deal with a leading French label Musea and the album's official release occurred in November 2007. Immediately a very warm response from general public and prog-connoisseurs followed. This debut studio album was considered as one of best prog releases in 2007. Very respectful articles appeared in the GEPR, Progressor, and Proggnosis. The band entered into the new era of its existence - international respect has been granted.
Oaksenham now plans to appear in the clubs in Europe, at the international festivals and of course a new studio effort under the draft title "Hawks on Oaks", which will incorporate such pieces like excerpts from Symphonie Fantastique
Symphonie Fantastique
Symphonie Fantastique: Épisode de la vie d'un Artiste...en cinq parties , Op. 14, is a program symphony written by the French composer Hector Berlioz in 1830. It is one of the most important and representative pieces of the early Romantic period, and is still very popular with concert audiences...
by Hector Berlioz
Hector Berlioz
Hector Berlioz was a French Romantic composer, best known for his compositions Symphonie fantastique and Grande messe des morts . Berlioz made significant contributions to the modern orchestra with his Treatise on Instrumentation. He specified huge orchestral forces for some of his works; as a...
and Peer Gynt
Peer Gynt
Peer Gynt is a five-act play in verse by the Norwegian dramatist Henrik Ibsen, loosely based on the fairy tale Per Gynt. It is the most widely performed Norwegian play. According to Klaus Van Den Berg, the "cinematic script blends poetry with social satire and realistic scenes with surreal ones"...
by Edward Grieg, should intrigue all music lovers.
----
Recordings
2002 Woden's Eve Live (Live, Armenia)2007 Conquest of the Pacific (Musea
Musea
Musea Records is a non-profit [for the label's bands] musician-owned French record label dedicated to progressive rock. It was founded in 1985 by Bernard Gueffier and Francis Grosse, along with a small team of friends - Daniel Adt, Alain Juliac, Alain Robert, Thierry Sportouche, Jean-Claude...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
)
Excerpts from Reviews
"Oaksenham's "Conquest of the Pacific" is an incredibly mature work, with not even a small hint of debut syndrome, an excellent creation by a truly talented band that ranks along the very best in contemporary Symphonic Progressive. Don't miss!" Progressor, November 2007"Oaksenham have potential to please a prog-rock audience, especially those with a more eccentric outlook." Martin Hudson Classic Rock Society, UK (2004)
"A solid continuation of the classic prog style." Peter Thelen, Expose, USA (2004)
"The music of Oaksenham is all well orchestrated and expertly performed instrumental arrangements." Fred Trafton, GEPR, USA (2004)
“People looking for a real quality instrumental Prog-rock album need to check out this release”, Strutter-zine, Netherlands (2004)
Line-up
- Vahagn Papayan–bass
- Anna Adamyan–keyboards
- Valeri Tolstov–flute, keyboards
- Vardan Gasparyan–guitars
- Koriun Bobikyan–violin, percussion
- Ashot Korganyan–drums