PERFORMERS SHOULD BE CULTIVATED MUSICIANS

[MosJan]

PERFORMERS SHOULD BE CULTIVATED MUSICIANS

 

Levon Chilingarian was born in Cyprus of Armenian parents. He was introduced to music from a very early age through his pianist mother and violinist great uncle who became his first teacher. Upon immigration to London in 1960, Levon Chilingarian began studies at the Royal College of Music where he is now a professor and the Chilingarian Quartet is in residence.

 

His long-standing partnership with pianist Clifford Benson was launched by winning the first prize in the 1969 BBC Beethoven Competition, followed by the Munich Duo first prize in 1971. Drawn to the chamber music repertoire, he formed the Chilingarian Quartet in 1971, which has gone on to become one of the world's most celebrated ensembles. As a soloist, he has performed with many different orchestras and has recently become the musical director of a Swedish string ensemble, The Camerata Roman. In January 2000.Levon Chilingarian was awarded the OBE for his "services to music".

 

He is now in Armenia. Two years ago the first All-Armenian Chilingarian Competition for violin, viola and violoncello was organized in Yerevan. The idea was his. It proved to be very successful and the second competition was held six months ago.

 

“By organizing these competition in Armenia I was pursuing two goals-to draw the professional musicians’ attention to large-scale musical ensembles, which I think should not be rendered to oblivion. This is important for raising both musicians’ and the country’s cultural image. The second important goal is to promote the development of ensemble music. There exists a high level school of musicians-performers in Armenia, but the knowledge and skills should be perfected constantly. He says that another his goal is to help most gifted Armenian musicians, which is being done through the competition bearing his name.

 

By Tamar Hovanesian

 

 

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