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Armenian Teen Clarinetist Narek Arutyunian Dazzles at Armenian Night at Pops
http://www.mirrorspectator.com/2012/06/15/armenian-teen-clarinetist-narek-arutyunian-dazzles-at-armenian-night-at-pops/
Arts | June 15, 2012 10:48 am
By Tom Vartabedian
BOSTON - Armenian clarinet prodigy Narek Arutyunian refused to become
intimidated by one of the world's leading orchestras.
The 19-year-old stood firm and tall at Boston's Symphony Hall and was
embraced by a crowd attending the 61st annual rendition of Armenian
Night at the Pops on June 8. Of the 2,400 in attendance, some 450 were
Armenians, looking forward to getting their first look at the rising
star. He did not disappoint.
`Best 18 minutes I could have ever performed,' he told observers at a
post-reception. `Playing next to conductor Keith Lockhart was the
ultimate experience. I shall treasure this moment forever.'
>From the time he walked onto the stage fol- lowing the traditional
Hayr Mer to the time he was embraced by the conductor, Arutyunian
displayed his talents with obvious passion and conviction.
He opened with a rather spirited number called Czardas written by
Monti, then present- ed a somber rendition of Krounk (The Crane) by
Komitas for solo clarinet.
The finale was a jazzy Concerto for Clarinet written by the great
Artie Shaw, which had the
crowd swaying in their seats. When it came to the Armenian piece,
Lockhart silenced his ensemble, stepped to one side and gave his guest
artist complete autonomy. The two often made eye contact and exchanged
smiles.
Lockhart lauded Arutyunian as `an Armenian musician of considerable
talent.' With a `Paree Yegak,' Lockhart extended his arms to the
Armenian crowd, several of whom were children accompanying parents. He
then presented a brief but worthy synopsis of the newly-opened
Armenian Heritage Park at the Rose Kennedy Greenway, reading from
notes he was provided.
`It is a tribute to both the immigrants and martyrs who overcame
tremendous obstacles,' he noted. `Armenians are a people to be
admired.'
The crowd applauded loudly, acknowledging the unexpected gesture.
Echoing his sentiments was Ara Arakelian, president of the Friends of
Armenian Culture Society (FACS), which sponsors the annual event.
`We're here tonight not only to celebrate a new Boston landmark but to
pay tribute to our national musical heritage,' he said. `The credit
goes to our many supporters and volunteers who have made Armenian
Night at the Pops so invigorating over the past six decades.'
A week before his 20th birthday, Arutyunian has built up quite a musi-
cal portfolio and it is only getting bet- ter. He represented the
third youngest Armenian performer at the Pops, following noted diva
Hasmik Papian, who enthralled the crowd with her operatic voice a year
ago.
When asked if this was the high- light of his young life, Arutyunian
pondered a moment, then replied `no.'
Nothing quite compares to the first prize he won at age 16 in the
International Young Musicians Competition in Prague or the Musical
Youth of the Planet Competition in Moscow the year
before. He would also have a difficult time negating the prize he was
awarded and conductor Yuri Bashmet to perform concerts and record the
Weber Concertino for Clarinet with the State
Symphony Orchestra of New Russia. Born in Gumri, Armenia, Arutyunian's
family moved to Moscow when he was 3. He graduated from Moscow State
Conservatory where he worked with Evgeny Petrov. He currently lives in
New York and works with Charles Neidich at the Juilliard School of
Music.
In addition to the Pops concert, Arutyunian is appearing in recitals
at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston, Washington Center
for the Performing Arts and Music for Youth and Buffalo Chamber Music
Society.
In case Bostonians missed it, he will be at the Gardner Museum on September 21.
Following his interlude on stage, Arutyunian came off stage for
intermission and took a seat in the audience for the remainder of the
evening, which also included a tribute to Cole Porter and works by
Gershwin and Richard Rodgers. The encore featured Sousa's Stars &
Stripes Forever, a Pops standard.
As with any Armenian Pops production, socialization was a vital part
of the evening. People gathered inside the lobby and in the aisles,
exchanging pleasantries. It was a night on the town, fashionable and
festive.
A post-concert reception took place at the Colonnade Hotel, attended
by more than 200 guests, where Arakelian welcomed the gathering and
applauded the star attraction. Arutyunian spent the interim signing
programs and chatting with well-wishers about his young- yet-brilliant
career.
On a personal note, Aram Khachaturian is probably the greatest
Armenian exponent of the instrument by virtue of his exquisite
Clarinet Trio. Likewise, Tigran Mansurian (in his Double Concerto for
Clarinet and Cello), Alexander Arutunian, Alan Hovhaness, Eduard
Baghtasaryan, Gagik Hovunts and Geghuni Chirchiyan have all added
significant works to the international clarinet repertoire, not to
mention Hachig Kazarian, perhaps the greatest when it comes to popular
Armenian band music.
http://www.mirrorspectator.com/2012/06/15/armenian-teen-clarinetist-narek-arutyunian-dazzles-at-armenian-night-at-pops/
Arts | June 15, 2012 10:48 am
By Tom Vartabedian
BOSTON - Armenian clarinet prodigy Narek Arutyunian refused to become
intimidated by one of the world's leading orchestras.
The 19-year-old stood firm and tall at Boston's Symphony Hall and was
embraced by a crowd attending the 61st annual rendition of Armenian
Night at the Pops on June 8. Of the 2,400 in attendance, some 450 were
Armenians, looking forward to getting their first look at the rising
star. He did not disappoint.
`Best 18 minutes I could have ever performed,' he told observers at a
post-reception. `Playing next to conductor Keith Lockhart was the
ultimate experience. I shall treasure this moment forever.'
>From the time he walked onto the stage fol- lowing the traditional
Hayr Mer to the time he was embraced by the conductor, Arutyunian
displayed his talents with obvious passion and conviction.
He opened with a rather spirited number called Czardas written by
Monti, then present- ed a somber rendition of Krounk (The Crane) by
Komitas for solo clarinet.
The finale was a jazzy Concerto for Clarinet written by the great
Artie Shaw, which had the
crowd swaying in their seats. When it came to the Armenian piece,
Lockhart silenced his ensemble, stepped to one side and gave his guest
artist complete autonomy. The two often made eye contact and exchanged
smiles.
Lockhart lauded Arutyunian as `an Armenian musician of considerable
talent.' With a `Paree Yegak,' Lockhart extended his arms to the
Armenian crowd, several of whom were children accompanying parents. He
then presented a brief but worthy synopsis of the newly-opened
Armenian Heritage Park at the Rose Kennedy Greenway, reading from
notes he was provided.
`It is a tribute to both the immigrants and martyrs who overcame
tremendous obstacles,' he noted. `Armenians are a people to be
admired.'
The crowd applauded loudly, acknowledging the unexpected gesture.
Echoing his sentiments was Ara Arakelian, president of the Friends of
Armenian Culture Society (FACS), which sponsors the annual event.
`We're here tonight not only to celebrate a new Boston landmark but to
pay tribute to our national musical heritage,' he said. `The credit
goes to our many supporters and volunteers who have made Armenian
Night at the Pops so invigorating over the past six decades.'
A week before his 20th birthday, Arutyunian has built up quite a musi-
cal portfolio and it is only getting bet- ter. He represented the
third youngest Armenian performer at the Pops, following noted diva
Hasmik Papian, who enthralled the crowd with her operatic voice a year
ago.
When asked if this was the high- light of his young life, Arutyunian
pondered a moment, then replied `no.'
Nothing quite compares to the first prize he won at age 16 in the
International Young Musicians Competition in Prague or the Musical
Youth of the Planet Competition in Moscow the year
before. He would also have a difficult time negating the prize he was
awarded and conductor Yuri Bashmet to perform concerts and record the
Weber Concertino for Clarinet with the State
Symphony Orchestra of New Russia. Born in Gumri, Armenia, Arutyunian's
family moved to Moscow when he was 3. He graduated from Moscow State
Conservatory where he worked with Evgeny Petrov. He currently lives in
New York and works with Charles Neidich at the Juilliard School of
Music.
In addition to the Pops concert, Arutyunian is appearing in recitals
at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston, Washington Center
for the Performing Arts and Music for Youth and Buffalo Chamber Music
Society.
In case Bostonians missed it, he will be at the Gardner Museum on September 21.
Following his interlude on stage, Arutyunian came off stage for
intermission and took a seat in the audience for the remainder of the
evening, which also included a tribute to Cole Porter and works by
Gershwin and Richard Rodgers. The encore featured Sousa's Stars &
Stripes Forever, a Pops standard.
As with any Armenian Pops production, socialization was a vital part
of the evening. People gathered inside the lobby and in the aisles,
exchanging pleasantries. It was a night on the town, fashionable and
festive.
A post-concert reception took place at the Colonnade Hotel, attended
by more than 200 guests, where Arakelian welcomed the gathering and
applauded the star attraction. Arutyunian spent the interim signing
programs and chatting with well-wishers about his young- yet-brilliant
career.
On a personal note, Aram Khachaturian is probably the greatest
Armenian exponent of the instrument by virtue of his exquisite
Clarinet Trio. Likewise, Tigran Mansurian (in his Double Concerto for
Clarinet and Cello), Alexander Arutunian, Alan Hovhaness, Eduard
Baghtasaryan, Gagik Hovunts and Geghuni Chirchiyan have all added
significant works to the international clarinet repertoire, not to
mention Hachig Kazarian, perhaps the greatest when it comes to popular
Armenian band music.