Trumpeter Shahen Gevorgyan is an artist of the National Philharmonic Orchestra for 25 years, of which 15 years he is the trumpeters’ concertmaster. During these years, the musician in the staff of the orchestra collaborated with many prominent musicians. As “Aravot” learned from the renowned conductor Yuri Davtyan, Shahen’s appraisals were given by such well-known names, such as Penderecki, Green, and Geringas. As said by Davtyan, having an experience in the course of many years, the trumpeter has contributed to the development of the Armenian performance school. To the point, once, in a conversation with “Aravot”, Rodion Shchedrin on listening to his Naughty Limericks performed by the Philharmonic Orchestra, said that the solo part for the trumpet is really very hard, which was wonderfully played by Shahen Gevorgyan. Then he added that at the reception with the President of Armenia, he had voiced the name of the trumpeter characterizing him as a virtuoso musician. In the early 2000s, when the Japanese visited Armenia to make a film about our country, they attended the Philharmonic concert. That evening, Shahen Gevorgyan performed in the repertoire of the best trumpeters in the world with the interpretation of Alexander Harutyunyan’s Trumpet and Orchestra Concert. Fascinated by the trumpeter’s playing, the Japanese included his performance in the film too.
Trumpet of the National Philharmonic Orchestra of Armenia Shahen Gevorgyan artist for 25 years, of which 15 percent is the trumpeters’ concertmaster. This makes the orchestra musician has collaborated with many renowned musicians. In 2004, the musician participated in the competition of trumpeters by the invitation of the New York “Metropolitan” Opera. Although he did not win, but he had the chance to stay in the United States. We asked years later to give a clear answer in the end about why he missed that opportunity. “In 2002, I recorded our countryman, the world famous composer and philosopher Iosif Andriasov’s concert for trumpet, who deserved the 2000-2001 International of the Cambridge Biographical Centre. Later, the composer’s relatives in the United States listened to the recording and distributed it in the form of a CD. The producers of the “Metropolitan” opera had listened to this very performance and invited me to the competition. Naturally, it would sound ridiculous if I say that I just left to take part in the competition. Renowned trumpeters were invited for on vacant place in the band, but the Committee gave its preference to the Jewish trumpeter… Even if I were hired on a contract base, after its completion, I would not extend it because there was no need for it. Our Philharmonic Orchestra also lives an extensive creative life and the players of the band have no problem for guest tours,” said our interlocutor.
Note that Shahen Gevorgyan is a winner of a number of competitions, including the Moscow inter-regional Military Band (1982), Transcaucasia Baku (1985), after H. Mesiayan’s (2001). The trumpeters started his professional career in 1985, at the Yerevan city council brass band. According to our information, the musician had been presented to the Honored Artist of Armenia in 2009 but it did not happen. On this occasion, Shahen Gevorgyan said jokingly, “It is nice to receive a title … Thank you for reminding about it.”
Samvel DANIELYAN
“Aravot” daily
