The Armenian State Symphony Orchestra is celebrating its 14th anniversary. Over the past 14 years, the Orchestra, which is managed by Artistic Director and Principal Conductor Sergey Smbatyan, has had a major and remarkable contribution on the maintenance and development of Armenian music and performing arts. The Orchestra always offers new ideas and fascinating and unique projects. One of these projects was highly publicized both in Armenia and abroad. This initiative was highlighted by foreign mass media, pointing out its great role in world music.
One of the concerts of the Contemporary Classics Festival was dedicated to the art of famous Armenian composer Tigran Mansurian. The composer pointed out that, within the scope of the festival, Poland was presented by Krzysztof Penderecki, the UK by Karl Jenkins, Russia by Alexander Tchaikovsky, and Georgian classical music was presented through the art of Giya Kancheli. “We should also remember the great soloists who were hosted by us. The presence of Gidon Kremer and Yuri Bashmet is a prominent event in our musical reality. I am very pleased that Mario Brunello, the famous Italian cellist, was among the participants at the Festival, performing my Cello Concerto. These names undoubtedly enrich our musical life. We will remember our impressions of the festival for a long time. I am not well aware of international music festival programs, but I believe that there are not many festivals that prominent composers from different countries participate in. It was a splendid event for our music.”
When speaking about the continuation of the Contemporary Classics Festival, Maestro Mansurian wished for a creative and organizational approach to this initiative. “I must say that there were many notable names among the guests. When our capital becomes a hosting place for such musicians, it would be great if we could make their presence more valuable. In addition to concerts, we can organize meetings with university students, music schools, and numerous cultural centers. We know that the Armenian State Symphony Orchestra does a great job of disseminating classical music among the youth. It was good that some of the musicians had meetings with schoolchildren as well. I believe that the ties established by the collaboration of Armenian musicians and songwriters with skilled composers can generate a significant number of new initiatives, ideas, and projects. Mainly, it would be preferable for leading authors of these days to write works especially for this festival.”
Tigran Mansurian highly appreciates the fact that classical music is sponsored by the state, private organizations, and individuals. “The Festival requires skills and finances, but it has its sponsors. Thankfully, the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport of Armenia has sponsored the festival as much as possible. A special thanks also goes to Konstantin Ishkhanov, an Armenian music event organizer and the President of the European Foundation for the Support of Culture. Based on the Festival, he has great capabilities and is devoted to Armenian music. He deserves the highest appreciation and gratitude. So, this Festival took place due to our two major sponsors and thanks to our wonderful Orchestra headed by Sergey Smbatyan. The whole Orchestra, its composition and performance, and the organizing team deserve a special appreciation, and, of course, Sergey Smbatyan, who again demonstrated his abilities as an organizer and conductor, becoming a key person in the whole Festival. I wish that this Festival will continue and that new pages will be opened in the development of Armenian music, enriching and strengthening international music relations,” concluded Maestro Mansurian, adding that the Contemporary Classics Composers’ Festival is a magnificent event motivating and inspiring Armenian musicians to creative enthusiasm.
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Anahit Gabrielyan
