YOUNG TALENTS RETURN TO CARNEGIE HALL FOR CLASSICAL PERFORMANCE

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YOUNG TALENTS RETURN TO CARNEGIE HALL FOR CLASSICAL PERFORMANCE

by Florence Avakian

 

http://www.reporter.am/go/article/2012-11-07-young-talents-return-to-carnegie-hall-for-classical-performance-

Published: Wednesday November 07, 2012

 

Erebuni Yerevan performed on violins.

 

Related Articles Armenian youth talent shines at Carnegie Hall

 

New York - In what was both a revelation and a celebration, 30 young

people, aged 10 to 18, wowed an appreciative audience, showcasing

their individual musical talents.

 

The performance on October 13 was the fourth annual Direct Help for

Armenian People (DHAP) performance, and this year it was dedicated

to the 20th anniversary of Armenia's membership to the United Nations.

 

As the recital hall filled with parents, and supporters, the

anticipation was palpable. Harutun Minasian welcomed the crowd,

and ushered in the charming 20 very young members of the Hamazkayin

"Arekag" Choir, garbed in colorful Armenian costumes.

 

They performed songs "dedicated to peace in the world", and in

particular a soulful rendition of the Gomidas' "Der Voghormia". The

popular song, "Thalvoriki Zavak" was sung with great pride.

 

Professional musicians who took part in this presentation were Reuven

Aristigueta, George Hakko, Eugenia Sarian, Margarita Terzyan, and

Diana Vasilyan. They were led by their longtime Artistic Director

Vagarshak Ohanyan who accompanied them on the piano.

 

These young performers' instruments of choice ranged from string,

wind, voice, and piano with the latter producing 17 musicians, the

largest number. As each performer came on stage, his/her poise was

obvious. Following their individual achievements, each young musician

was gifted with a certificate and a check. Among the flutists were

Sareen Balian, Armen Kasparian, saxophonist Ara Kasparian, and Lucine

Musaelian on viola de gamba. They tackled such demanding compositions

as Gluck's "Orphee et Eurydice", and Abel's "Allegro in D Minor".

 

The voices of three singers seemed to soar to the heavens - Zovinar

Aghavian, Julia Naldjian, and Nicole Nudelman sang beloved and well

known Armenian favorites, as Dolukhanian's "Dzidzernag", Gomidas'

"Oror", and the traditional "Ari Im Sokhak".

 

But it was the group of pianists who presented a wide and varied array

of composers, including Khachaturyan, Tchaikovsky, Chopin, Grieg,

Clementi, and Mendelssohn, among others. And these young piano virtuosi

presented their works with aplomb. They included Shushan Aghavian,

David Antabian, Kristina Ayanian, Aram Balian, Nareg Balian, Jason

Cordero, Katia Hajjar, Michael Gilmore, David Hovanisyan, Nicole and

Alin Khrimian (in a duet), Daniel Manucharian, Arianna Mesrobian,

Kalina Mesrobian, Katherine Sadaniantz, Ani Tchorbajian, and Alex

Tiratsuyan.

 

The musical segment closed with a rousing rendition of Hovanisyan's

"Erebuni-Yerevan", played on violin by Aren Arakelian, Anthony Degoian,

Nicholas Degoian, Griffin Kang, Lily Kljyan, and Nicole Mark, and

sung by all the performers as well as the audience which had given

these young people a standing ovation.

 

At the conclusion of the event, the dedicated and hardworking president

and founder of Direct Help for Armenian People (DHAP), Dr.

 

Svetlana Amirkhanian, thanked the parents, grandparents, and jury

members who had auditioned dozens of young musicians. She introduced

Marina Kovalyov, president of the Russian American Foundation who

has been a supporter of DHAP. Among the devoted members of the

organization has been Marina Bagdasarova, vice president of DHAP,

and executive member of the AYT committee.

 

Armenia's Ambassador to the United Nations Garen Nazarian also offered

his congratulations to the young musicians who he said "have to

organize to preserve our culture." Among the guests of honor present

was Rev. Fr. Bedros Lakissian, pastor of New York's St. Illuminator's

Armenian Cathedral.

 

Letters of congratulation had also been received from Archbishop

Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Eastern Diocese; Archbishop Oshagan

Choloyan, Prelate of the Eastern Prelacy; AGBU; Tekeyan Cultural

Association; Hamazkayin Armenian Educational and Cultural Society;

Armenian American Cultural Association; and former honorary chairs

Metropolitan Opera diva Lucine Amara and noted pianist Sahan Arzruni.