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ARA MALIKIAN'S 'PAGAGNINI' TO BE SHOWCASED IN Ä°STANBUL
Today's Zaman
http://www.todayszaman.com/news-264046-ara-malikians-pagagnini-to-be-showcased-in-istanbul.html
Nov 27 2011
Turkey
A contemporary classical music show that brings the spirit of legendary
Italian violinist Niccolò Paganini alive on the stage is set for a
rare showcase in Ä°stanbul next month.
Titled "Pagagnini," the show offers the audience a medley of
emotions with its unique mix of music from a selection of the greatest
compositions by such geniuses as Mozart, Pachalbel, Chopin, Boccherini,
Falla, Sarasate and Paganini to such popular genres as rock and folk --
with slapstick humor.
The quartet behind the show -- led by virtuoso violinist Ara Malikian
with fellow violin players Eduardo Ortega and Fernando Clemente and
cellist Gartxot Ortiz -- created "Pagagnini" in 2007 and have since
presented their unique performance at hundreds of venues across the
world. Yet next month's one-off performance on Dec. 7 at the Cemal
ReÅ~_it Rey Concert Hall (CRRKS) will be the show's first-ever staging
in Turkey.
"Pagagnini," a joint effort between Malikian and the Madrid-based
artists collective Yllana, was created with inspiration from Paganini's
own genius, taking as its basis his complex compositions, outstanding
personality and amazingly talented interpretations.
Lebanese-born Armenian violinist Malikian, billed as one of the
most brilliant and expressive musicians of his generation, spoke
about the show and his fascination with the violin in an interview
over the phone from his home in Madrid leading up to the group's
Ä°stanbul performance.
"Pagagnini" combines classical music with humor. Do you believe these
kinds of shows help attract younger audiences to classical music?
I think young people are afraid of listening to classical music because
they fear that they wouldn't understand it, therefore they wouldn't
enjoy it. Combining humor with classical music is one of the many
ways of making them realize that this music isn't that difficult to
enjoy. One doesn't have to be an expert to be able to enjoy it. The
classical world is too serious and too rigid and young people don't
identify themselves with it. It's time to change it so that they
realize this music is in fact wonderful.
Your show reviews some of the pinnacle moments in the history of
classical music. Can we call "Pagagnini" a kind of entertaining,
live documentary on classical music?
I don't think "Pagagnini" is a documentary nor a pedagogical show.
"Pagagnini" is rather a musical show where we have fun with music
and we try to share it with the public. It is a show where we want
people to enjoy music with good humor.
Critics say the mix of styles in your show offers audiences a medley
of emotions. What do you on stage offer for the audience?
After touring throughout the world with "Pagagnini" we can be sure
that music and humor are two emotions that nobody on Earth can live
without. And when we combine them together, there can be an explosion
of emotions, which can make anybody really happy.
Your show's title refers to the legendary Italian violinist, but is
the whole show inspired by his way of playing music?
Of course the show "Pagagnini" is a tribute to the greatest violinist
of all times. Paganini was the first rock star in the history of
music. He made music popular and played concerts for massive audiences.
As the show's musical director, how would you describe the music in
the show?
Taking care of the musical level of the show was important for
me. We had to find a way to have fun with -- through -- [the] music
of Paganini, Mozart and Vivaldi with the biggest respect [for their
music] and [without sacrificing] perfection. If not, it would have
been a ridiculous and poor show.
As a genius violinist, you gave your first concert at the age of 14.
Do you remember how you fell in love with the violin?
My father was a violinist himself, so he made me fall in love with
music -- and the violin -- from a very early age. I don't remember
myself without a violin in my hands.
You have also worked with some of the most talented dancers, like
Joaquin Cortes. "Pagagnini" also includes very colorful choreography.
Are you into dance?
Of course I don't consider myself a dancer, but I always loved all
sorts of dancing. I consider music such a big influence on us that I
can't stop my body from moving when I play or hear music. Music has
the power to penetrate into our body and soul.
You are going to perform in Ä°stanbul for the first time on Dec. 7.
What do you think about Ä°stanbul?
I am looking forward to coming to Ä°stanbul. It is a unique city. I
am sure I am going to fall in love with the city and its beauty.
Today's Zaman
http://www.todayszaman.com/news-264046-ara-malikians-pagagnini-to-be-showcased-in-istanbul.html
Nov 27 2011
Turkey
A contemporary classical music show that brings the spirit of legendary
Italian violinist Niccolò Paganini alive on the stage is set for a
rare showcase in Ä°stanbul next month.
Titled "Pagagnini," the show offers the audience a medley of
emotions with its unique mix of music from a selection of the greatest
compositions by such geniuses as Mozart, Pachalbel, Chopin, Boccherini,
Falla, Sarasate and Paganini to such popular genres as rock and folk --
with slapstick humor.
The quartet behind the show -- led by virtuoso violinist Ara Malikian
with fellow violin players Eduardo Ortega and Fernando Clemente and
cellist Gartxot Ortiz -- created "Pagagnini" in 2007 and have since
presented their unique performance at hundreds of venues across the
world. Yet next month's one-off performance on Dec. 7 at the Cemal
ReÅ~_it Rey Concert Hall (CRRKS) will be the show's first-ever staging
in Turkey.
"Pagagnini," a joint effort between Malikian and the Madrid-based
artists collective Yllana, was created with inspiration from Paganini's
own genius, taking as its basis his complex compositions, outstanding
personality and amazingly talented interpretations.
Lebanese-born Armenian violinist Malikian, billed as one of the
most brilliant and expressive musicians of his generation, spoke
about the show and his fascination with the violin in an interview
over the phone from his home in Madrid leading up to the group's
Ä°stanbul performance.
"Pagagnini" combines classical music with humor. Do you believe these
kinds of shows help attract younger audiences to classical music?
I think young people are afraid of listening to classical music because
they fear that they wouldn't understand it, therefore they wouldn't
enjoy it. Combining humor with classical music is one of the many
ways of making them realize that this music isn't that difficult to
enjoy. One doesn't have to be an expert to be able to enjoy it. The
classical world is too serious and too rigid and young people don't
identify themselves with it. It's time to change it so that they
realize this music is in fact wonderful.
Your show reviews some of the pinnacle moments in the history of
classical music. Can we call "Pagagnini" a kind of entertaining,
live documentary on classical music?
I don't think "Pagagnini" is a documentary nor a pedagogical show.
"Pagagnini" is rather a musical show where we have fun with music
and we try to share it with the public. It is a show where we want
people to enjoy music with good humor.
Critics say the mix of styles in your show offers audiences a medley
of emotions. What do you on stage offer for the audience?
After touring throughout the world with "Pagagnini" we can be sure
that music and humor are two emotions that nobody on Earth can live
without. And when we combine them together, there can be an explosion
of emotions, which can make anybody really happy.
Your show's title refers to the legendary Italian violinist, but is
the whole show inspired by his way of playing music?
Of course the show "Pagagnini" is a tribute to the greatest violinist
of all times. Paganini was the first rock star in the history of
music. He made music popular and played concerts for massive audiences.
As the show's musical director, how would you describe the music in
the show?
Taking care of the musical level of the show was important for
me. We had to find a way to have fun with -- through -- [the] music
of Paganini, Mozart and Vivaldi with the biggest respect [for their
music] and [without sacrificing] perfection. If not, it would have
been a ridiculous and poor show.
As a genius violinist, you gave your first concert at the age of 14.
Do you remember how you fell in love with the violin?
My father was a violinist himself, so he made me fall in love with
music -- and the violin -- from a very early age. I don't remember
myself without a violin in my hands.
You have also worked with some of the most talented dancers, like
Joaquin Cortes. "Pagagnini" also includes very colorful choreography.
Are you into dance?
Of course I don't consider myself a dancer, but I always loved all
sorts of dancing. I consider music such a big influence on us that I
can't stop my body from moving when I play or hear music. Music has
the power to penetrate into our body and soul.
You are going to perform in Ä°stanbul for the first time on Dec. 7.
What do you think about Ä°stanbul?
I am looking forward to coming to Ä°stanbul. It is a unique city. I
am sure I am going to fall in love with the city and its beauty.