Accomplished artists in conversations with us always speak warmly about their teachers and professors, but those who know Svetlana Navasardyan will confirm our observation that the talented pianist still tells of her professor with such reverence that one gets the impression that their student-professor connection continues up till today.
The other day, another 15th Yerevan International Music Festival concert was held in the “Aram Khachatryan” concert hall, entitled “Dedication to My Teacher.” Svetlana Navasardyan performed high art performances of works by Mozart, Brahms, and Chopin. And the evening was dedicated to the 100th birthday of the pianist’s teacher, Vache Umr-Shat. Undoubtedly, there is no need to introduce the pianist Svetlana Navasardyan, who conquered the world’s best stages long ago and performed with famous orchestras and conductors; everyone knows her, regardless of age, profession, or musical preference. But only a few people know about her literary talent. Not often, but the idea is circulated that if she had not chosen the profession of a pianist, she would have become a great writer because, as is known, a talented person is talented in everything. We can give such examples- Svyatoslav Richter’s words about Arno Babajanyan. “What would we pianists have done if Arno had chosen the profession of pianist instead of composer?”
Let’s quote an excerpt from Svetlana Navasardyan’s essay “The Life of an Artist.” Let us inform you that she writes in Russian, and the translation of the presented part is ours.
“…But, of course, my brilliant teacher Vache Vaganovich Umr-Shat was and remains the pinnacle of intelligence and thought for me. While studying in Vache Vaganovich’s class at the Romanos Melikyan Musical College, the whole musical world became focused for me, refracted through him, and settled in my memory as a thought, feeling, word, sound.
He had the essential, complex thing in the work of a teacher: laying the foundation. Due to a hand injury, he did not perform on stage but demonstrated musical phrases perfectly in class. His piano playing sounded divine. Through Vache Vaganovich, I fell in love with the piano’s sound; the magic of the piano enchanted me. “Immersion” in my teacher’s piano is still in front of my eyes, and his lessons of improvisation. They were the search for the freest and, therefore, the most correct performing solutions. That was the first year I took, which, due to age, was more empirical than concrete knowledge.
You never stopped being an artist, Vache Vaganovich; the most important lesson was learning to listen to your inner music, not someone else’s. We practiced every day and for many hours, parting long after midnight.
From my first conscious musical sound (I came to his class at the age of 12) to being awarded the title Laureate of International Competitions is the expression of your pedagogical feat, Vache Vaganovich. I have had many teachers, but you are unique. Thank you for your fantastic patience, zeal, and faith in me.
The last time we met was shortly before his death. I brought him a cassette from my concert in Moscow, and I was going to go on tour to the USA. He was absorbed in listening to Schubert Chopin.
“I’m not saying out loud, you are a great musician, Svetik…”
Samvel DANIELYAN
“Aravot” daily, 18.10.2023
