Within the framework of “Yerevan Perspectives” International Music Festival, for the third time pianist Boris Berezovsky arrives in Armenia. His first concert is scheduled on December 12 at the “Aram Khachaturian” Concert Hall, the second one again in the same hall on December 13. On December 12, Aram Khachaturian’s Concert Hall hosted a press conference of the artistic director Stepan Rostomyan, a virtuoso pianist and a founding Chairman of “Yerevan Perspectives” International Music Festival. They informed that on the first day the pianist will perform with the National Philharmonic Orchestra of Armenia conducted by Edward Topchyan. Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 2 and Sibelius Symphony No. 2 will be played.
On December 13, Berezovsky will present a unique piano repertoire and program to the audience: Bartok sonata 3 Etudes as well as Liszt’s 12 Etudes. Stepan Rostomyan introduced Boris Berezovsky as one of the world’s best pianists, also emphasized that his visit to our country in a musical sense is a holiday. Answering the reporter’s question, the renowned musician said that he often plays with the orchestras without a conductor unless of course, the orchestra is high-class. In his words, but if there is a conductor which inspires the orchestra it is wonderful. Berezovsky informed that he will play with the orchestra without a conductor on April 8 too by performing the works of Stravinsky and Bach.
As for the Armenian music, the artist noted, “I am one of the best players of Aram Khachaturian’s works, his compositions indeed are built not on national grounds. I am convinced that the music of the people of Georgia, Armenia and in this region is 100%, there is nothing fake. As for the classical music, it is a 90% music for me… Generally, folklore is a frantic music, it is very compound although very primitive for some people. National music is the most beautiful music.”
Speaking about the composers, Berezovsky said that every musician plays the way he wants, “It is a very personal and subjective. In short, in this sense, there is a complete freedom. For example, Bach can be interpreted in any way, anyway, it is always beautiful.” To add also that Boris Berezovsky as a soloist has played with prestigious orchestras and such conductors as Kurt Masur, Charles Dutton, Wolfgang Sawallisch, Vladimir Ashkenazi, Alexander Lazarev, Andrew Litton, Mikhail Pletnev, Antonio Pappano. He has released a great number of recordings that cover the works of Chopin, Schumann, Rachmaninov, Mussorgsky, Balakirev, Medtner and Ravel.
Gohar HAKOBYAN