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Khachaturian is a thrilling turning point

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  • Khachaturian is a thrilling turning point

    Honolulu Star Bulletin
    May 9 2005


    Khachaturian is a thrilling turning point

    Some childhood memories are so vivid, they stick with you for life.
    When I was 11, one such moment forever altered my outlook on
    classical music. I was a committed violin student by then, but always
    the shy and obeying kind, never too rebellious.
    'Iggy Jang Plays Khachaturian'

    Alasdair Neale conducts the Honolulu Symphony Orchestra:

    One day, I heard the Khachaturian Violin Concerto and it hit me like
    lightning. Their music was stormy, exotic, melodic, hypnotizing,
    sensual and racy all together -- for all I knew at that age. It was
    an epiphany. From then on, I thought that playing the violin could be
    thrilling!

    Much to my delight, my teacher eventually taught me the concerto. As
    years went by and my knowledge of the violin repertoire grew, I never
    forgot that turning point. And now, here I am, ready to relive the
    experience! This weekend I will present this work with guest
    conductor maestro Alasdair Neale and the Honolulu Symphony.

    Khachaturian's Violin Concerto brings exhilarating flavors to the
    palate. I will always remember the graphic descriptions my teacher
    used: "Mon petit Ignace," Madame Elphége would say, "Play this tune
    like you're carrying a blade between your teeth, riding a horse in
    pursuit of the enemy!" I never replied. My teacher had an
    intimidating presence, which only exacerbated my shyness. So I would
    just nod, petrified. But inside, I felt the energy of the rhythms,
    the tension and the drive.

    A week later, I played a sweet melody from the concerto. I remember
    her saying: "La la la laa, come on Ignace, sing!"

    Now that I'm older, this melody reminds me of an exotic veiled woman
    performing a tantalizing dance. Occasionally, I still use these terms
    with my own students.

    Even now, it's not so easy talking to Madame Elphége. When I visited
    her last year, I found myself feeling 6 years old all over again,
    walking to my lesson as slowly as possible. The best part was the
    relief once the lesson was over, and the warm "pain au chocolat" from
    the bakery that my mother would have for me.

    Today, I am forever grateful to my teacher for encouraging me to be
    the best violinist I could be. And this weekend, I hope to convey all
    the colors from the Khachaturian Concerto that she once so eloquently
    described.

    Nothing but a full orchestra could produce all those colors. The
    flutes, oboes, clarinets and brass bring hypnotizing twirls,
    snake-charming dances and warrior-like rhythms to the music.

    Aram Khachaturian, a 20th-century Armenian composer, was deeply
    influenced by the folk music of his cultural heritage. The concerto's
    appeal and beauty provoked the composer Stravinsky to compare it with
    "Lokum" or Turkish Delights. Rather odd if you ask me, because
    Armenia and Turkey are the fiercest of rivals.

    You're in great hands with Maestro Neale. Recent engagements have
    seen him conduct some of the world's most renowned orchestras, from
    New York to Stuttgart, from Sydney to Paris. The musicians are always
    eager to make music with guest conductors. In a way, it's like having
    a famous guest chef come to your favorite restaurant and cook for
    you. Who could refuse such an offer?

    Back in the late '70s, one of the Honolulu Symphony's guest
    conductors was Khachaturian himself. It turned out to be one of his
    last concerts. Some of his most popular music was presented to a
    packed audience, including "Saber Dance" and the violin concerto.
    This weekend, I hope to make his spirit proud with a performance
    bound for memory lane.
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