“The world reckons with the culture of Jews and Armenians.” Jewish conductor Israel Yinon is confident

The regular guest at the 7^th International Music Festival in Yerevan was German resident Jewish conductor Israel Yinon, who will lead the regular festival concert of the State Philharmonic Orchestra of Armenia to be held in “Aram Khachaturian” concert hall on September 20.

Famous musicians of the said festival launched on September 11, violinists Isabelle Faust (Germany), Boris Brovtsin (UK), cellist Narek Hakhnazaryan (Russia), in the interview with “Aravot” first indication that they were honored to participate in the festival that is dedicated to the anniversary of the great composer Aram Khachaturian.

In the interview with “Aravot”, Israel Yinon expressed his joy that he is finally in the homeland of Khachaturian, noting that attempts to present the talented musician not only as a Soviet but also as a Russian composer for decades were in vain. The conductor said, – “We, Jews, and you, Armenians, are nations who survived genocide, and the world knows that we are not common only by this. Ultimately, this tragedy is an undeniable fact,- reminded our interlocutor, adding, – Nazi Germany was a genocidal state. All state resources were directed to the implementation of massacres, genocide. The civilian population was terrified according to national identity, Jews and other “undesirable” nations was subjected to persecution, confiscation of property, and drove to concentration camps and so on. Genocide of the Armenians by the Ottoman Empire and our Holocaust are considered the most famous examples of crime of the 20^th century.”

The art critic recalled the phrase of Adolf Hitler “Who remembers the Armenians massacres…”, at the same time noting as to what names the two nations had given to the world.

Presenting Israel Yinon, the foreign press notes that alongside extensive repertoire under his leadership, the conductor devoted himself to the performance of less performed and unfoundedly forgotten plays, including the works of banned composers of the “Third Reich, Hans Krasa, Pavel Haas, Elvin Shulhof, Victor Ullmann and others, as well as works of forgotten expressionists of the German representatives. The conductor said,- “This really talented artists are my compatriots. Their works under my leadership have performed in London’s BBC Symphony, Royal Philharmonic, Jerusalem, Vienna, Berlin and other famous orchestras. Today, I was acquainted with the Armenia Philharmonic and I am confident that this band is not conceding abovementioned bands … One thing is obvious, the world reckons with the culture of the Jews and Armenian, though he does not often speak about it.”

Samvel DANIELYAN