Talented Musicians Dazzle at Armenian Night at Pops

As in previous FACS events, the Armenian talent held the audience spellbound and shared a stellar background. Babakhanian is a prize-winning pianist who has participatted at some of the world’s most prestigious competitions, including the Leeds, Van Cliburn and Guardian Dublin. He has appeared as a soloist with the city of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra under Sir Simon Rattle, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Israel Philharmonic, Royal Scottish National Orchestra, the National Symphony Orchestra in Washington, DC, Dallas Symphony, Saint Petersburg Philharmonic and Moscow Philharmonic. Babakhanian’s performances have also been broadcast on the BBC and PBS television networks. Born in Armenia, he is currently the artistic director of the Cadence Ensemble. He received his musical education at the Komitas State Conservatory in Yerevan and is artist-in-residence there. In the upcoming 2010-11 season, Babakhanian will appear in numerous solo and chamber music performances in the US and overseas.

Guest conductor Demirjian has been active in many Armenian musical organizations in the Greater Boston area. As a Harvard undergraduate, he served for two seasons as Music Director of the Harvard Bach Society Orchestra and earned a joint degree in music and government. In 2009, he was chosen to conduct in a concert engagement with Pulitzer Prize-winning composer John Adams as part of a colloquium on the composer’s The Wound Dresser. Then he was also invited to guest conduct Yo-Yo Ma and members of the Silk Road Ensemble. As one of only three conductors enrolled in the inaugural class in the master’s in orchestral conducting program at the New England Conservatory, Demirjian has indeed had a busy year. This summer will find the enthusiastic young talent as a Conducting Fellow at the well-respected Aspen Music Festival.

The annual post-concert reception held in Higginson Hall provided a great forum for FACS supporters and guests to meet the evenings’ guest musicians. Ara Arakelian, president of FACS, introduced them to great applause and Demirjian and Babakhanian spoke briefly in appreciative support of FACS and the community. Jim Kalustian spoke about the Armenian Heritage Foundation and the unprecedented community-wide support, from FACS and numerous other organizations and individuals, for the upcoming Armenian Heritage Park in Boston. Lucy Der Manuelian gave a heartfelt tribute to Dr. Keran Chobanian for his decades-long strategic work with FACS and his travels with the Orchestra as their physician.

Later, Demirjian shared his admiration for the orchestra. “The orchestra is incredibly focused. It was a pleasure to work with them…they are incredible collaborators.”

Babakhanian was similarly impressed with the orchestra, audience, hall and “beautiful sound of the piano…it was a wonderful experience for me, being on stage for a wonderful audience.” He spoke of the importance of playing with heart.

Many conversations at the reception, from locals to out-of-town visitors, seemed to revolve around the evening’s program. “I always thoroughly enjoy Armenian Night at the Pops. The pianist tonight was outstanding,” shared Agnes Killabian of Rhode Island. “I love when they ask the audience to stand for the Hayr Mer. I get goose bumps. I’m proud and happy to hear the Lord’s Prayer in Armenian.”

Alice Avanian of Belmont felt “Rhapsody in Blue was amazing; the energy, drama, the way Mr. Babakhanian played brought it to life.”

Even Argentina was represented in Boston by traveler Nina Papazian, who considered this “a wonderful event. We should do the same thing in Buenos Aires!”