Says the person who has been the musical director of different events of the British royal family
Conductor Christopher Warren-Green, who has been the musical director of different events and celebrations of the British royal family over the last 30 years, is again in Yerevan at the invitation of the State Philharmonic Orchestra of Armenia. The international press, in recent years, referring to the celebrations of Queen of England’s 80th, the Prince of Wales’ 60th anniversaries, and the wedding ceremony of Prince William in 2011, made a special note about classy and high-quality music played under the leadership of the conductor. In a conversation with us, Christopher Warren-Green said that the British are lucky because the royal family members, particularly, His Royal Highness Prince Charles of Wales, prefer classic arts and are endowed with high musical taste.
Yesterday ‘Aravot’ attended the concert of the Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Christopher Warren-Green. By the interpretation of the conductor, the performances of Tchaikovsky’s 5th symphony and Brahms’ Violin Concerto (solo Anush Nikoghosyan) were received with bravoes.
Talking to us, the conductor noted that his visit to Yerevan was a lucky coincidence with the visit of the Prince to Armenia, but expressed regret that Prince Charles was unable to attend the rehearsal of the Philharmonic due to his tight schedule.
As on May 29, the Prince and the conductor were both among the audience at the National Opera House we inquired whether there was time to exchange ideas about the concert. “During the evening the Prince, who is endowed with a fine musical taste, was fascinated by high artistic performances of Armenian musicians, and expressed satisfaction on the occasion of his visit to Armenia, as well,” said Christopher Warren-Green. We should note that the concert was attended by the State Youth Orchestra of Armenia led by Sergei Smbatyan, Choir of Hovhannes Chekijyan, opera singers Barsegh Tumanyan and Gevorg Hakobyan, cellist Narek Hakhnazaryan, ballet artists Suzanna Pirumyan, Mary Hovhannisyan, Sevak Avetisyan and Armen Gasparyan.
Referring to the concert of the Philharmonic Orchestra our interlocutor spoke with admiration about the art of violinist Anush Nikoghosian, saying that ‘The violinist has an
exceptional talent and, most importantly, she runs a very active creative life. From the conversation with her, I learned that this year she has already played in Germany, Georgia, and she is getting ready for her solo concert in Germany, as well as for chamber music festivals in the Netherlands and Germany. One more important factor: not only Armenian but also foreign composers compose specially for her. During the intermissions, I noticed that the violinist has the work of a German contemporary composer Peter Dote, who is a prominent name in the West. Maybe I announce ahead of time, but I have a great desire to invite Anush Nikoghosyan and Edward Topchyan to North Carolina for collaborating with the local symphonic orchestra, where I am the artistic director”. Our interlocutor also added that she was impressed by the violinist’s interpretation of Brahms’ Concerto noting that the work is completely a philosophy, and it seems to be a symphony written for the violin.
Speaking of the regular cooperation with the Philharmonic Christopher Warren-Green said, “My collaboration with your orchestra is going easily. You have demanding audience, which is good.” To my question whether he covers the works of Armenian composers in his programs the conductor replied, “Many times I have offered my audience Khachaturian’s music, but there is an unwritten law that if you are leading, for example, an American orchestra, you must first of all play the works of their authors. Recently I am attracted by Tigran Mansuryan’s music and I have a desire to learn more about his art and later include it in my repertoires. ”
SAMVEL DANIELYAN
