The roots of Armenian music are in ancient millenniums. An important part of our musical culture is Armenian folk instruments, which have been originated during the formation of our nation. We have gotten our knowledge about ancient musical instruments from the works of the historiographers of the past, the miniatures and old manuscripts. For example the great historiographers of the 5th century, Movses Khorenatsi, Pavstos Buzand and Yeghisheh, have pointed in their works about folk instruments like “Pogh” and “Tmbuk”. During the millenniums some instruments have been forgotten and placed in museums. Armenian well-known musician Komitas has given a great account to Armenian folk instruments. In 1906, he has announced in his speech at International Music Conference in Paris: ““Pogh” is the keystone of melodic music. It has such features, I have never seen in any other instrument in the world. Its sound is the closest to human spirit and the most congenial expression of his passion. One can pronounce his soul and all his emotion with its pores. If it become more improved, I’m sure that we’ll have the kind of music, you can express the essence of nature with all of its colors, the life with its motivation, the thought with its mysteries and the heart with its pure emotions.”

The dream of Komitas was to establish an ensemble of wind instruments. That dream come to reality in 1981 by musician Karlen Mirzoian. Besides conducting the ensemble of ancient musical instruments, Karlen Mirzoian has done a great deal of work for bringing the old and forgotten instruments to life. The instruments presented in the ensemble are “Duduk”, “Pkun” and “Sring”, with all their instrumental families, whose varieties differ in sonority, structure and sound range.

It should be noted that all the members of the ensemble, being well educated and professionals, put all their performing skills and knowledge in order to study, to reconstruct and to develop the performing art of Armenian folk instruments. During 25 years of performance, the ensemble has presented the purity of Armenian folk songs and music. It has had concerts in France, Germany, The Netherlands, Belgium, Sweden, Austria, Canada, Syria, Turkey, Lebanon and Iran.

“Tkzar” means the player of “Tik(Parkapzuk)”. Just percussion and wind instruments are included in the ensemble, namely “Duduk”, “Sring”, “Blal”, “Pku”, “Santur”, “Shvi”, “Base Shvi”, “Zurna”, “Dhol”, “Naghara”, “Dap” and “Parkapzuk”.

There are a variety of folk songs, duets, folk and classical melodies, written by various composers in the ensemble’s repertoire. The ensemble has 15 members, who are accompanied by gifted singers. Today the ensemble is being conducted by Armineh Mirzoian and managed by Arthur Hakopan.