On November 30, “Cafesjian” Art Center will host a Canada-based violinist Ruben Kosemyan’s concert. But before the concert, the renowned musician answered the questions of “Aravot”.
– What is your Yerevan concert special, and what are your expectations from the Armenian audience?
– I am asking my dear listeners not to make a video and audio recordings of the concert and possibly not to cough as it distresses the musicians. The rest depends on us …
– You are the son of viola player Alexander Kosemyan. Does the name Kosemyan oblige you?
– The more time passes, the more I am convinced that my father was a very special musician and educator. His recordings are in the golden fund of the National Radio of Armenia, and his students have made great successes. My father has taught me the principles of performing arts which I refer to until now.
– You have studied and performed with sonorous names. Can you recall any spectacular episode?
– There are many interesting episodes, for example, once conductor Nurhan Arman (Canada) unexpectedly called me and asked me to save the upcoming concert by substituting the soloist who has got sick. The concert program includes Vivaldi’s “Seasons of the Year.” I was in Montreal at that time, incidentally, only 3 days were left for the day of the concert. I agreed though I had never played this piece of work. Fortunately, the concert ended with stormy applauses, everybody was pleased. The newspaper also wrote that a “brilliant violinist in Russian tradition” was on the stage.
– Especially which works of which composers do you consider as your business card and why?
– In my understanding, every piece of work should be delivered at the best performing state. The listeners mostly like Bruch’s “Scottish Fantasy” with my performance. I think that Brahms, Sibelius’s and 22 other violin concertos are also included in this list. I would like to play one of them in during my concert in Yerevan.
– Please, say a few words about the concerts held…
– One year ago, in Malaysia, I played the Violin Concerto by Tchaikovsky, later, almost in all the major cities in Taiwan, I had my solo concerts. I have played the Violin Concerto by Tchaikovsky in Mexico too and the recording of the concert “The Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso” by Saint-Saëns with an orchestra which found its place in the new album released in Canada. The “Gypsy Melodies” by Pablo Martín Melitón de Sarasate recorded from the concert also found its place in the album which I had played with the orchestra in Ottawa. By the way, Sarasate was not the only piece that I played at this concert. I also played Bruch’s Violin Concerto in G minor Sol. Natalia Mnatsakanyan and I were happy to receive an invitation, especially for the famous Koerner Hall in Toronto. I included Aram Khachaturian’s “Ayshe’s Dance” (arr. J. Heifetz) in the concert program. I would like also to mention the other concerts in Toronto: Prokofiev’s Violin Concerto No. 2, Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons”, the complete set, at the Glenn Gould Studio hall. I have had many concerts in the US with American pianist Allison Cheroff by including Baghdasaryan’s “Rhapsody” in the program. In Montreal, I played with Natalia Mnatsakanyan on many different stages, I played solo in various provinces of Canada.
– What are your plans for the future?
– I am recording Paganini’s “24 Caprices for Solo Violin” for the Italian CD, also Brahms’ all 3 sonatas for violin and piano. The latter CD will be released in the United States. There will be another CD in Holland which will include Karen and Aram Khachaturian’s music for violin and piano.
– I think you have settled in Canada since 2010, are you a citizen of the world as music is a universal language, or in any case, the origin is essential and can influence of the career?
– Like any other musicians, I feel myself as a citizen of the world as music is a tool for universal communication.
– Does it matter what violin the violinist plays?
– Surely. Incidentally, in the last three years, I was lucky enough to play on the best violins both in Canada and other countries…
– And what are your plans specifically for Armenia?
– I would like to play more in Armenia with the orchestra.
Interviewed by Gohar HAKOBYAN
“Aravot”
16.11.2016
