The Gala Concert of the 3rd International Chamber Music School brought together young musicians, guests, and chamber music lovers at the Arno Babajanyan Concert Hall on May 9.
The evening featured a diverse chamber music program with works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Ludwig van Beethoven, Johannes Brahms, Arno Babajanian, Astor Piazzolla, and more, performed by the talented participants of this year’s program.
The closing Gala Concert of the International Chamber Music School in Kapan brought together young musicians, distinguished guests, and chamber music lovers at the Organ Hall of Kapan State College of Art.
The concert featured performances of works by Gaetano Donizetti, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and Ludwig van Beethoven, performed by 4 ensembles and 8 participants of the program.
The Chamber Music School project by Primavera Foundation of Armenia provides a platform for young musicians to refine their skills under the guidance of experienced professionals, with a strong focus on ensemble performance and collaborative artistic work. The program is led by Professor Irina Krasotina of the Moscow State Tchaikovsky Conservatory, who also heads the Ensemble Department at the Ippolitov-Ivanov State Music Pedagogical Institute and serves as Head of Chamber Music at the foundation.
The Chamber Music School project by Primavera Foundation of Armenia continues to support young musicians through ensemble-focused training and regional educational initiatives in Syunik. As part of its educational component, the foundation will also donate Professor Irina Krasotina’s methodological handbook “The Art of Ensemble Performance” to music teachers in Kapan, strengthening local music education.
The Chamber Music School project by Primavera Foundation of Armenia, focused on ensemble training and youth music education, is expanding to Kapan for the first time, opening new regional opportunities. One outstanding musician and one ensemble will continue their studies in Yerevan with Professor Irina Krasotina at the Arno Babajanian Concert Hall, with all events free for Armenian citizens and additional support provided to Syunik music teachers.
For the third consecutive year, Primavera Foundation’s Chamber Music School project continues to invest in the future of young Armenian musicians through mentorship, ensemble training, and regional outreach. As Elena Yakovleva notes, the initiative aims to build sustainable cultural bridges between Yerevan and the regions, while supporting both performance training and educational development through masterclasses and donated methodological literature.
Primavera Foundation’s Chamber Music School project continues to create new opportunities for young musicians across Armenia by bringing professional music education to Syunik. Alongside masterclasses and gala concerts in Kapan, the initiative also supports local music educators through the donation of specialized ensemble performance literature translated into Armenian.
This year’s Chamber Music School project brought together young performers from Yerevan, Gyumri, Kapan, and Graz in a diverse program of ensemble music and international collaboration. Participants performed works by composers including Beethoven, Brahms, Poulenc, Piazzolla, Arno Babajanyan, and Gagik Hovunts as part of masterclasses and gala concerts led by Professor Irina Krasotina.
The International Chamber Music School project by Primavera Foundation continues to grow, expanding beyond Yerevan for the first time with masterclasses in Kapan, Syunik region. Hosted in collaboration with the Kapan State College of Arts, the initiative brings together young musicians from Armenia and abroad to support regional music education and ensemble performance.
Primavera Charitable Foundation was presented by Evgenia Slouchak, Board Member, and Elena Yakovleva, Co-Founder & Executive Director.
We created the project «Armenian School of Sound» in collaboration with Arka News Agency to share the story of the great Armenian violin school and its rich tradition — from past masters to the voices shaping its future.
The initiative was centered around the Publication of the first in history Armenian edition of Carl Flesch’s legendary book The Art of Violin Playing, published in Armenian for the first time. Its release offered an opportunity to revisit the legacy of the Armenian violin school and present it to a wider audience.
Thanks to this collaboration, the project reached a broad audience of 250,000+ people and received strong interest and positive feedback, highlighting the importance of professional media support for cultural and educational initiatives.
Cultural projects are not only about the final outcome, they are about the process, research, and challenges behind them.
In this interview with Mari Makichyan, Head of Digital Media at the Primavera Charitable Foundation who led the project’s communication and media work, we discuss the journey of the project, the discoveries made along the way, the challenge of presenting complex cultural material in an engaging and accessible format, and the broader importance of supporting cultural initiatives in Armenia today.
What did you learn from the project?
Since the project was dedicated to the Armenian release of Carl Flesch’s The Art of Violin Playing, we used the chance to talk about the legendary Armenian violin school itself. It was especially strong and famous during the Soviet period and produced many remarkable musicians and teachers.
While working on the project, I spent a lot of time researching the history of this school and the people who shaped it. I discovered names that aren’t talked about much today but had a huge impact on classical music in Armenia. Many of these professors and musicians trained generations of violinists and helped build a very strong teaching tradition. For me, this was one of the most interesting parts. It let me see Armenian musical culture from a deeper historical view.
At the same time, working with the team from Arka News Agency was a great learning experience. As media pros, they always think about the audience and how to present info in a way that grabs interest and keeps people engaged. Watching their approach helped me get better at sharing cultural and educational topics so they’re informative and fun for a wider crowd.
What was the most challenging task?
The most challenging part was finding a way to present such a rich and complex tradition in a format accessible to a broader audience. The Armenian violin school has many important figures, stories, and historical developments, so we had to carefully choose which aspects and personas to highlight.
But, we asked for advice on specific questions from professors at Yerevan State Komitas Conservatory, which made this much easier and ensured the project stayed accurate while still appealing to a wider audience.
What was the most unexpected and surprising thing during the project production?
One of the most interesting discoveries for me was the audience’s response. I expected interest from musicians and people involved in classical music, but it was very encouraging to see that the wider Armenian public was also curious and engaged.
Many people shared positive comments and expressed genuine interest in learning about the personalities behind the Armenian violin tradition and the history of the school. It was a reminder that audiences really appreciate cultural and educational content when it is presented in a clear and engaging way, and it showed that there is a strong interest in discovering or rediscovering important parts of Armenia’s cultural heritage.
What do you believe to be its result?
There is very little local content on topics like this, and even less in the form of structured projects rather than one-off articles. Already, we can see clear results from this project. The audience’s response was very positive, and the numbers speak for themselves. We reached over 270,000 people, which shows there is a strong interest in high-quality cultural content.
During the project, we also published an article on the history of arts patronage worldwide, showing that anyone can support cultural initiatives today. This helped connect the historical perspective with practical ways for the audience to engage and contribute. So, in the longer term, I think the project can influence how people approach supporting and funding cultural initiatives in Armenia.
Which piece of content do you personally like the most?
My favorite piece of content was the article “From the Medici to Modern Yerevan: How Patrons Changed the History of Art and Continue to Do So in Armenia.” I really enjoyed creating it because it allowed me to explore the role of patrons throughout history, and show how their investment in culture shapes society.
It was also important found to highlight the Armenian edition of Carl Flesch’s The Art of Violin Playing as a modern example of patronage, showing that today anyone can support the arts, not just royals or aristocrats. For me, the article was a reminder that culture thrives when people actively contribute to it, and that even small efforts, whether donating, sharing, or promoting projects, can have a lasting impact on future generations.
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Interview with Nuna Alekyan, a friend of the Primavera Charitable Foundation and Board Member at 301 Foundation, on the vital role of cultural initiatives in connecting the Armenian diaspora and sharing Armenian heritage with the world, and on the Together We Celebrate Armenian Culture & Spirit concert in London.
In today’s increasingly interconnected yet fragmented world, culture is not simply a matter of celebration—it is a matter of continuity. For a nation such as Armenia, whose historical experience has so often required its culture to survive beyond the protection of statehood, the international presence of its heritage becomes an essential form of resilience.
The word of Maestro Petrenko carries great influence. It would be truly wonderful if young British composers were inspired to attend the Maestro’s Academy this summer in Armenia, deepening artistic exchange and fostering new cultural bridges between our societies.
Introducing Armenian culture to the British public—and indeed to other global audiences—ensures that Armenia is known not solely through the prism of geopolitics and tragedy, but through its contributions to world civilisation: its music, literature, spiritual traditions, architecture, and philosophical outlook. This kind of cultural diplomacy fosters recognition, empathy, and intellectual curiosity.
The Together We Celebrate Armenian Culture & Spirit concert at St Yeghiche Armenian Church was a deeply moving occasion, filled with kindness, warmth, joy, and humility—not only for the Armenian community in the United Kingdom, but equally for our British guests who joined us in such encouraging numbers.
I wholeheartedly congratulate the team of the Primavera Foundation for their excellence and professionalism in all that they do. It is an honour to support their work and the important cultural mission they continue to advance.
What made this evening particularly special was the atmosphere of shared discovery. For many members of the British public present, this was a first encounter with the depth, subtlety, and emotional register of Armenian sacred and classical cultural expression. The fact that St Yeghiche—a spiritual and architectural landmark of the Armenian presence in London—became a space of intercultural dialogue for an evening reflects the very best of what Armenian cultural life can offer.
At a time when cultural understanding is too often mediated through politics or crisis, this concert allowed Armenia to be encountered through its civilisational voice: music, spirit, and artistic continuity. It was heartening to witness so many British attendees engaging with Armenian heritage not as distant observers, but as participants in a shared cultural experience.
Cultural initiatives such as the concert play a vital role in sustaining the Armenian diaspora’s living connection to its identity and heritage—particularly for communities several generations removed from Armenia itself.
Events held in culturally respected settings such as St Yeghiche Church do more than preserve tradition; they actively transmit it. They create opportunities for younger members of the diaspora to experience Armenian culture not as an abstract inheritance, but as a vibrant and contemporary presence within their everyday British environment. It was also a particular source of pride for our diaspora community to witness the remarkable talent of young and gifted Armenian musicians, whose performances were a true inspiration.
I would also like to extend my sincere thanks to Bishop Hovakim, as well as to the trustees and colleagues of the St Yeghiche Trust, for welcoming us all so generously and for opening their wonderful church so unreservedly to the wider public.
At the same time, when these initiatives are open to the wider public—as this concert so successfully was—they transform culture from an inward-looking exercise into a shared civic offering. This outward engagement strengthens the Armenian community’s sense of belonging within British society while maintaining its distinct cultural voice.
For those of us committed to advancing Armenia’s long-term cultural and civilisational security, such initiatives are indispensable. They nurture informed cultural ambassadors who can articulate Armenian identity confidently in an international context, ensuring that Armenia’s heritage continues to be recognised, understood, and valued far beyond its borders.
We are pleased to share that their digital versions are now available for free. To receive your copies, please send an email to hello@
For generations, this legendary violin manual shaped musicians worldwide but remained beyond reach for Armenian students in their own language. Now it opens a bridge between global tradition and local heritage, marking a new chapter for Armenia’s young violinists.
Watch the full video here
NOVOSTI–ARMENIA: “How is Armenia’s cultural profile being shaped abroad, and why is real art becoming a new form of “premium” in the era of digitalization and artificial intelligence?”
Novosti–Armenia interviewed Elena Yakovleva, co-founder of the Primavera Foundation of Armenia, about the importance of authentic, human-created art in today’s digital world. The interview also highlights the Foundation’s cultural and educational projects, including international collaborations and local events that strengthen Armenia’s cultural life.
Read the full Article here
Carl Flesch’s legendary The Art of Violin Playing has now been translated into Armenian, a major milestone for music education in the country. Elena Yakovleva thanked the sponsors, noting that this ambitious project would not have been possible without them. Over seven months, 20 specialists worked to produce the Armenian edition, initially released in 300 copies, with more planned.
Professor Aram Badalian noted : “I devoted months to this translation, and the result was worth every effort.”
Keep reading here
This manual offers a systematic approach to violin mastery, from technique and sound to psychological readiness, helping advanced students and professionals reach a higher level. The publication is part of an educational initiative by the Primavera Foundation of Armenia with the Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra to strengthen music education across Armenia.
Discover more here
The 2020 German edition of The Art of Violin Playing was edited by Maximilian Simon and Nadine Contini. The Armenian translation was carried out and overseen by violinist and Detmold Conservatory professor Aram Badalian.
Published under a licensing agreement with Berlin’s Ries & Erler, this landmark project was realized by the Primavera Foundation of Armenia in collaboration with the Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra, with financial support from the Amaryan Foundation, Apricot Capital, and Balchug Capital.
Learn more here
Publishing the Armenian translation of Carl Flesch’s The Art of Violin Playing was a massive undertaking, completed over seven months by a team of 20 experts. The initial print run includes 300 copies, with additional editions planned in collaboration with the German publisher. Aram Badalian explained that the greatest challenge was conveying the beauty of the original German while keeping the text clear and practical for modern Armenian readers.
Dive into the article here
Mamul.am reports on the Armenian-language release of Carl Flesch’s monumental work “The Art of Violin Playing“, a foundational text for violin education first published in 1923. This work bridges eras, from early 20th‑century performance traditions to today’s young musicians learning their craft in native words.
Read the full Article here
To mark the Armenian translation of Carl Flesch’s The Art of Violin Playing, a concert on December 24 featured Bruch’s Violin Concerto No. 1, Korngold’s Violin Concerto – performed in Armenia for only the second time – and Glinka’s Ruslan and Lyudmila overture. Maximilian Simon, editor of the updated German edition, noted that the book clearly explains the complex techniques every violinist must master. Realized by the Primavera Foundation of Armenia with the Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra, the project now makes this essential guide accessible to Armenian students and professionals.
Read more here
For the first time, Carl Flesch’s The Art of Violin Playing is available in Armenian, a milestone for music education in the country. Conductor Eduard Topchyan called it “a wonderful achievement by the Primavera Foundation, led by Elena Yakovleva,” which made this influential violin method accessible to Armenian musicians. He also announced that Flesch’s exercise and scale volume will soon be translated, further bridging generations of musicians.
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To celebrate the translation of Carl Flesch’s monumental book into Armenain, a concert entitled “The Art of Playing the Violin” was held at the Aram Khachaturian Concert Hall on December 24, 2025. The soloists were the editor of the German edition and the Armenian translator, violinists Maximilian Simon and Aram Badalyan. The National Philharmonic Orchestra of Armenia was conducted by Eduard Topchyan. The program included the violin concertos by Korngold and M. Bruch, as well as M. Overture to Glinka’s opera “Ruslan and Lyudmila”.
Violinists Maximilian Simon and Aram Badalian appeared on Armenia TV to discuss the first Armenian translation of Carl Flesch’s The Art of Violin Playing. Simon modernized the German edition, while Badalian adapted it for Armenian readers, preserving both clarity and technical depth. The 400-page manual, produced by the Primavera Foundation, is freely available to students and professionals, with copies already donated to the Conservatory library.
Watch the full interview here
Maximilian Simon and Nadine Contini modernized the 2020 German edition of The Art of Violin Playing, while Professor Aram Badalian carefully translated it into Armenian, balancing the beauty of the original German with clarity and practicality for today’s musicians. The project, realized by the Primavera Foundation and the Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra, marks a milestone for violin education in Armenia.
Read the full Article here
The Primavera Cultural and Charitable Foundation has published the first Armenian translation of “Chamber Ensemble Toolkit” a textbook by Professor Irina Krasotina that serves as a bridge between musical theory and practical collaboration. This milestone addresses the critical lack of professional music literature in the national language, offering students and teachers a specialized methodology for developing ensemble thinking and creative partnership. Translated by Nona Voskanyan and edited by Gayane Hovhannisyan, the work preserves the prestigious traditions of the Moscow Conservatory while incorporating modern pedagogical standards. The manual is being distributed free of charge to applicants via the foundation’s official website to support the growth of the Armenian musical community.
Watch the video here
On December 23, a press conference dedicated to the release of the Armenian edition of Carl Flesch’s The Art of Violin Playing was held at the Harmony Chamber Hall.
The event brought together distinguished speakers
Maximilian Simon — co-editor of the German edition
Aram Badalian — chief editor of the Armenian edition
Eduard Topchjan — Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of the Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra
Lena Gyulkhasyan — Public Relations Manager at the Amaryan Charitable Foundation
Elena Yakovleva — CEO and Co-founder of the Primavera Charitable Foundation
who shared insights into the significance of this publication for Armenian musical education and performance culture․
On the Bari Luys show, Yelena Yakovleva, co-founder and executive director of the Primavera Foundation of Armenia, introduced the first Armenian translation of Carl Flesch’s The Art of Violin Playing. The book will be provided free to conservatories, music colleges, and schools, and its release was celebrated with a concert featuring Maximilian Simon and Aram Badalian with the National Philharmonic Orchestra under Eduard Topchyan.
Watch the full video here
On December 22, the first-ever book giveaway took place at the Yerevan Komitas State Conservatory, where copies of Carl Flesch’s The Art of Violin Playing (Armenian edition) were gifted to the Conservatory, supporting the education of young Armenian violinists.
The ceremony was followed by violin masterclasses led by Maximilian Simon — violinist, curator of the Primavera Foundation Violin Program, and co-editor of the German publication of The Art of Violin Playing
An Armenian translation of Professor Irina Krasotina’s ensemble performance manual has been published, offering a two-part study on collaborative musicianship and musical text analysis. Created with the participation of Yerevan State Conservatory experts, the book reflects the author’s long-standing teaching experience. The release adds a rare and valuable resource to Armenian-language music education.
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Интервью с генеральным директором «Новости-Армения» Галиной Давидян о роли СМИ в формировании общественного сознания и поддержке культурных инициатив в рамках спецпроекта об армянском издании книги Карла Флеша.
Сегодня СМИ продолжают оставаться институтом, который, с одной стороны, генерирует общественные интересы и представления о стандартах, а с другой – транслирует новые правила и ценности. Какую роль в формировании общественного сознания играют СМИ, с какими сталкиваются трудностями при освещении культурных и социальных вопросов и как сегодня можно стимулировать интерес общества к культурным и социальным инициативам? Ответы на эти вопросы в интервью генерального директора агентства «Новости-Армения» Галины Давидян с Primavera Foundation Armenia.
– Как Агентство международной информации «Новости-Армения» видит роль СМИ в формировании общественного сознания и поддержке культурных и социальных инициатив?
– СМИ, безусловно, играют ключевую роль в формировании общественного сознания. Выбирая темы и акцентируя внимание людей на конкретных аспектах, СМИ диктуют определенную культурную норму: могут способствовать укоренению в обществе определенных культурных ценностей, а могут и выступать за перемены. Но в любом случае они обязаны беречь художественное наследие, поддерживать социальные проекты и способствовать формированию более зрелой общественной среды. Именно в таких темах проявляется ценность журналистики как института. То есть не просто информировать, а помогать аудитории видеть ценность культурных и общественных процессов.
В продолжение темы отмечу, что агентство «Новости-Армения» создаёт пространство, где культурные и социальные проекты становятся понятнее и эмоционально значимее.
Мы стремимся к тому, чтобы каждая история работала не только на осведомлённость, но и на укрепление общественного диалога и повышение интереса к культуре.
– Могли бы вы привести пример культурного или социального проекта, освещение которого в СМИ оказало значительное влияние. Были ли неудачи и каковы их причины?
Очень эффективной оказалась наша интерактивная игра «Готовы ли вы к “Ночи музеев”?», где пользователи угадывали картины армянских художников. Она невероятно быстро распространилась, оказалась необычайно эффективным инструментом популяризации искусства и привлечения большого потока посетителей в музеи, причем даже тех, кто обычно далёк от музейной среды.
Существенную общественную роль сыграли и наши проекты периода пандемии — «Антикоронавирус» и «SaveBusiness». Первый снижал тревожность в обществе, предоставляя проверенную информацию, второй помогал предпринимателям адаптироваться к новым условиям и находить решения в критической ситуации. Эти инициативы стали своеобразными опорными точками в нестабильное время.
За годы своей деятельности мы всегда стремились вводить новые стандарты, ломать стереотипы. Так, в канун очередного дня рождения агентства мы призвали наших читателей направить помощь тем, кто в этом наиболее остро нуждается – беженцам из Арцаха и детям. Мы объяснили это тем, что такой их шаг был бы лучшим подарком для нас. Перечислять свои средства можно было в благотворительные фонды “Вива” и “Дорога жизни”. Как нам позже сообщили из фондов, многие граждане начали делать пожертвования сразу после нашей публикации.
Отличный резонанс получила также совместная с Америабанком инициатива по продвижению социального и благотворительного проекта, направленного на поддержку программ будущего в Армении. В рамках кампании Америабанк выделил 100 млн. драмов на развитие значимых инициатив (помощь детям, образование, наука, «зеленая экономика», технологии, МСБ, спорт). При этом решить, куда распределять средства, должны были сами пользователи через онлайн-голосование. Вскоре выяснилось, что люди необычайно активно откликнулись на инициативу банка и массово включились в этот процесс.
Примечательно, что в ходе осуществления этого проекта агентство впервые использовало инновационный формат в виде коротких информативных обзоров – Shortreads. Он стал одним из ключевых инновационных направлений агентства и был признан лучшим цифровым проектом 2025 года на конкурсе Armenia Digital Awards 2025.
Что касается неудач, то они чаще возникали там, где авторы проектов приходили к медиа слишком поздно: пбез бюджета, без сформированной коммуникационной стратегии и регулярности подачи материалов.
– С какими трудностями сталкиваются СМИ при ответственном освещении культурных и социальных вопросов, и как «Новости-Армения» их решает?
Самая сложная задача — сохранять осторожность при освещении таких тем. Культурная и социальная повестка требует особой точности. Это темы, чувствительные к нюансам: личным, историческим, ценностным. Мы придерживаемся принципа «бережной журналистики»: опираемся на верификацию данных, консультируемся с экспертами, находимся на постоянной связи с инициаторами проектов.
Дополнительная сложность еще и в том, что многие инициативы не располагают современными коммуникационными инструментами, качественным контентом или PR-поддержкой. В таких случаях мы берем на себя роль медиапартнёра: помогаем структурировать материалы, уточнять данные, формируем нужный формат, что делает проект заметным и понятным аудитории. Для нас это не только часть работы, но и вклад в культурную экосистему страны.
– Насколько аудитория заинтересована в социальных и культурных инициативах и какие стратегии эффективны для повышения интереса?
Как показывает наш опыт, аудитория активно откликается на такие инициативы, если они поданы современно, эмоционально и с уважением к человеку. Мы видим это по реакции на спецпроекты, тесты, видео и материалы, основанные на личных историях, где есть живое переживание.
Для того, чтобы повысить интерес к таким инициативам необходимо фокусироваться на человеческом опыте и живых эмоциях; использовать мультимедийный подход, а это – видео, визуальные подборки, интерактивы. Также надо обеспечить регулярность и последовательность материалов, а не ограничиваться одноразовой публикацией. И, разумеется, непременно партнерствовать с музеями, фондами и культурными организациями.
Когда культурный или социальный контент подан уважительно, современно и интересно, он сам формирует аудиторию вокруг себя. Задача медиа — поддерживать этот интерес и усиливать инициативы, которые делают общество более осознанным и открытым.
The Armenian translation of The Art of Ensemble Performance by Professor Irina Krasotina has been released. The manual serves as a practical and methodological guide for teachers and students, covering ensemble performance techniques, rehearsal strategies, and musical interpretation. Copies will be distributed free of charge to secondary and higher music schools in Armenia.
Explore the full Article here
ARAVOT DAYLY: Krasotina’s Manual Answers Key Questions in Chamber and Ensemble Music
Professor Irina Krasotina’s methodical manual, The Art of Ensemble Performance, provides comprehensive guidance for both teachers and students in Armenia. The book addresses various aspects of chamber and ensemble music, including repertoire selection, rehearsal techniques, and musical expression. It is designed to enhance understanding and performance quality, and copies are distributed free of charge to Armenian music schools and institutions.
Read the full Article here
An Armenian edition of Irina Krasotina’s methodological work on ensemble performance has been released, presenting modern approaches to chamber music training. The guide focuses on developing ensemble thinking, collaborative interpretation, and conscious score reading. It is intended to support both students and professionals by strengthening the culture of musical collaboration.
Read the full Article here
The Armenian translation of Irina Krasotina’s methodological work places special emphasis on ensemble interaction as a core professional skill for musicians. Drawing on classical performance traditions and modern pedagogy, the manual examines how collective interpretation shapes artistic outcomes. The publication reflects years of close cooperation between Krasotina and Armenian music institutions. Its release strengthens the academic foundation of chamber music studies in Armenia.
Read the full Article here
The teaching manual Chamber Ensemble Toolkit by Professor Irina Krasotina has been translated into Armenian and published by the Primavera Foundation of Armenia. It will be provided free to music schools, colleges, and conservatories. The manual offers practical guidance on ensemble playing, repertoire selection, rehearsals, and musical interpretation, combining Krasotina’s personal experience with established traditions.
Read the full Article here
On November 25, Nona Voskanyan, translator of the Armenian edition of Irina Krasotina’s Chamber Ensemble Toolkit and musicologist, together with, Primavera Foundation CEO and Co-founder Elena Yakovleva, were guests on Public Radio of Armenia. They spoke about the significance of publishing the toolkit in Armenian, its role in supporting young musicians, and the special features that make it a valuable resource for chamber music education.
Watch the full video on our Youtube channel.
Read this article by Naré Bedzhanyan about Elena Yakovleva, co-founder of the Primavera Foundation, who advances classical music in Armenia through educational programs, concerts, publishing, and international collaborations, while showcasing the warmth and resilience of the Armenian people.
The program will be led by Mr. Thomas Fellow, a professor at the Dresden University of Music, composer, and performer, with the assistance of Ms. Valeria Galimova, classical guitarist, Primavera Foundation Mentor
“During my school years, the music of Aram Khachaturian was listened a lot in Germany, which left a deep impression on me. Later, while on tour with Armenian pianist Margarita Oganesyan, who spoke about Armenia with great love, showed photos, and played Armenian music, my connection to the country grew even stronger. Impressions from this trip, as well as the enthusiastic stories about Armenia shared by my student Valeria Galimova, inspired me to compose the piece “Yerevan”, which will be included in Valeria’s debut album.” – Thomas Fellow, professor of Musica composer, guitarist
Mr Thomas Fellow connects classical and modern guitar, blending styles worldwide. His skills go beyond genres, combining tradition with new ideas.
“Enchanting, unique” – Akustik Gitarre Magazin
“Top class guitarist” – Times Of India
“Absolutely great. And when I say great, I mean great!” – Fred Wesley ( James Brown)“The Duduk is one of my favorite instruments, and its sound truly fascinates me. Armenian culture, with its ancient Orthodox traditions, has always captured my attention.” – Thomas Fellow, professor, composer & guitarist
“Armenia was love at first sight when I came for the first time a year ago. The people, the culture, the nature — everything left me deeply moved. I was especially struck by the genuine love Armenians have for their country and the incredible hospitality they extend to every stranger.
The idea of bringing world-class musicians to Armenia came to me during my master classes with young musicians from various regions of Armenia. Most of them lack the opportunity to travel abroad or interact with international musicians, which is crucial for their musical development.
The first person who came to mind was my professor, Thomas Fellow, an expert in music genres and styles from around the world. He was immediately enthusiastic about the idea, and together, we began organizing the project right away!”
This program offers comprehensive guidance from a leading German music expert, helping you grow as a guitarist and explore international opportunities. You’ll master diverse styles like Latino, Brazilian, Spanish, and crossover guitar, enhancing your versatility and technique.
September 10, 2025
19:00 – Music from All Around the World Gala Concert
Performers: Thomas Fellow, Armenian musicians
Arno Babajanyan Concert Hall, 2 Abovyan St, Yerevan
September 11, 2025
10:00 – Сlassical Guitar Master Class
16:00 – Workshop “World Music/Modern Styles”
Arno Babajanyan Concert Hall, 2 Abovyan St, Yerevan
Before filling in the application, please make sure that you have at your disposal the following assets.
For everyone:
Successful applicants will be notified by email and phone, and announced on the Primavera Foundation Armenia social media profiles.
Successful nominees and winners will be notified by email and announced on the Primavera Foundation Armenia social media.
Thomas Fellow studied concert guitar at the Franz Liszt Academy of Music in Weimar with Monika and Jürgen Rost. As a concert guitarist, he won prizes in various international competitions, played as a soloist with outstanding orchestras (including the Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach Chamber Orchestra Berlin), and performed in India, Brazil, the USA, Russia, and many European cities.
He ended his classical career in 1992 with a successful concert at the Berlin Philharmonic. Since then, he has concentrated on his music in selected projects. With his two duos FRIEND `N FELLOW and HANDS ON STRINGS as well as the European Guitar Quartett (with Zoran Dukic, Pavel Steidl and Reentko Dirks), he has played almost 3,000 concerts in over 30 countries. With the quartet, he has played at the Concertgebouw Amsterdam, the Tchaikovsky Hall in Moscow, and the Kaufmann Concert Hall in New York.
Thomas Fellow has also been increasingly active as a composer and author for a few years. Some of his compositions can already be found on CDs by well-known artists, are played in concerts worldwide, or are taught in over 60 countries through the TRINITY College program. His edition “Fellow Guitar Music Collection” is published by Schott Music, as is his standard work for the guitar as an accompanying instrument, “Fellow Guitar Book”.
He has been teaching at the Dresden University of Music since 1992. Within a few years, he developed the idea of a universal and contemporary guitar training course, which is now one of the leading training centres for this instrument with many competition winners, scholarship holders and internationally performing artists. In 2018, Thomas Fellow was awarded the Saxon Teaching Prize for this innovative idea.
Thomas Fellow was a long-time guest lecturer for “World Music/Modern Styles” at the Weimar University of Music and is regularly invited to universities (e.g. Capital University Columbus / USA; Real Conservatorio Superior de Musica Granada / Spain; Anton Bruckner Private University Linz / Austria) and to renowned festivals around the world.
In addition to his professorship at the Dresden University of Music and his activities as a composer, label founder, and festival organiser, he focuses wholeheartedly on his three musical projects:
Friend `N Fellow, Hands On Strings, European Guitar Quartet
For more details, eligibility inquiries, or application support, reach out to our team at edu(@)primavera-foundation.com
By uniting musicians, educators, and audiences, this project aspires to inspire creativity and deepen cultural understanding through the universal language of music.
Lilit Petrosyan, kanon
Ruben Kozin, piano
Harutyun Chkolyan, duduk
Vahan Sargsyan, classical guitar
Valeria Galimova, classical guitar
Special Guest Thomas Fellow, guitar (Germany)
| 1. Komitas – Horovel | Harutyun Chkolyan, duduk |
| 2. Komitas – “Tsirami Tsar” for kanon & piano 3. Tsovinar Hovhannisyan (b. 1965) – Rapsodia #3 | Lilit Petrosyan, kanon Ruben Kozin, piano |
| 4. Sayat-Nova – “Qani vur jan im, Broyi-broyi” for duduk and kanon | Lilit Petrosyan, kanon Harutyun Chkolyan, duduk |
| 5. Komitas – Hov Areq Komitas – AI Aylukh | Harutyun Chkolyan, duduk Ruben Kozin, piano |
| 6. Khachatur Avetisyan – Baleni (“Blooming Cherry”) for duduk & classical guitar | Vahan Sargsyan, classical guitar Harutyun Chkolyan, duduk |
| 7. Eduard Badalyan – Ժողովրդական պար Traditional folk dance 8. Isaac Albéniz – Sevilla (Suite Española op.47) | Vahan Sargsyan, classical guitar |
| 9. Komitas – Dances for Piano: Komitas – Water flowing from the high mountain Komitas – Haralo Komitas – Piece in the National Spirit Transcription for two guitars by Van Agadjanyan | Vahan Sargsyan, classical guitar Valeria Galimova, classical guitar |
| 10. Mathias Duplessy (b. 1972) – Valse For Valeria Dedicated to Valeria Galimova Armenian Premiere | Valeria Galimova, classical guitar |
| 11. Thomas Fellow (b.1966) – Ararat Armenian Premiere Thomas Fellow (b.1966) – Yerevan Armenian Premiere | Valeria Galimova, classical guitar |
| 12. Special Guest Thomas Fellow, guitar (Germany) with Valif | Thomas Fellow, guitar Valeria Galimova, classical guitar |
Following the Gala Concert, on July 3 and 4, the winners of the Emerging Artists Program were recorded by world-renowned sound engineer Edgardo Vertanessian at the Arno Babajanyan Concert Hall.
On July 10 guests of the program Bari Luys on Armenia TV were Astghik Dallakyan, PR Manager of the Primavera Foundation, and Edgardo Vertanessian, CEO and CoFounder of Prima Classic.
They spoke about the “Recordings and Releases for Armenian Musicians” Project, that is dedicated to promoting local talents internationally.
Armenia Public TV’s Lurer covers a new international project supporting Armenian musicians.
Prima Classic (USA) and the Primavera Foundation of Armenia have launched a landmark initiative aimed at promoting Armenian musicians on the global stage. The project provides full financial and technical support for selected artists to professionally record and release their music on leading international platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube.
Watch the Lurer report for a closer look at how this collaboration is shaping the future of Armenian music.
Shortened version (English):
World-renowned sound engineer Edgardo Vertanessian, co-founder of Prima Classic, visits Armenia for the first time to support young local musicians and help them reach global platforms.
In partnership with Primavera Foundation of Armenia, the project spans over 80 platforms like Spotify and YouTube. Five winners have been selected and recorded.
Though famous for pop, Vertanessian values classical music deeply. Prima Classic avoids AI, focusing on the human voice.
A descendant of Genocide survivors, he says: “Armenia is small, but rich in culture. If someone hears the music and asks, ‘Where is Armenia?’ — we’ve done our job.”
Armenia is rich in talent, especially in classical music, but young musicians struggle to build international careers due to limited exposure. To support Armenian musicians aged 18-29 who studied at the Yerevan State Conservatory and live in Armenia, several organizations joined forces: the U.S.-based music label Prima Classic, the Primavera Foundation of Armenia, the Armenopole online platform, and the Armenian Philharmonic.
Prima Classic co-founder and sound engineer Edgardo Vertanessian, who has recorded over 100 classical albums and worked with stars like Madonna and Rihanna, arrived in Armenia to launch the project. Out of 16 applicants, five musicians were selected.
In the verses of her poetry collection dedicated to Armenia, Russian philologist Natalia Garnits sings of the thousand-year history and culture of the land of Nairi, honoring both past and present Armenian poets and philosophers—their beautiful and rich language, delicate and sensitive spirit, and the light shining through their works.
On July 10 at 7:00 PM, the book launch and literary-musical evening for Armenian Notebook will take place at the Aram Khachaturian House-Museum. The event will feature readings from the collection, performances of works by Armenian composers, and the world premiere of three songs by composer Ralf Yoezkeryan, inspired by poems from the book. During the evening, the unique secret of Natalia Garnits’s deep love for Armenia will also be revealed. Admission to the literary-musical evening is free.
Natalia Garnits, a Russian philologist and poet, has released a new collection titled Armenian Notebook — a lyrical homage to Armenia’s rich cultural heritage, timeless landscapes, and literary legacy. The poems, written in Russian and delicately infused with Armenian expressions and symbols, reflect her deep emotional connection to the country.
The official book launch and a literary-musical evening will take place on July 10 at the Aram Khachaturian Concert Hall. The program includes live readings from the collection, performances of works by Armenian composers, and the world premiere of three original songs by composer Ralf Yoezkeryan, inspired by Garnits’ poetry.
Russian philologist Natalia Garnits explores Armenia’s rich history, culture, and nature in her poetry collection Armenian Notebook. Written in Russian and enriched with Armenian words and imagery, the poems honor Armenian poets, mythology, landscapes, and spirituality.
The presentation and literary-musical evening will be held on July 10 at the Aram Khachaturian Concert Hall, featuring readings, Armenian music, and the world premiere of three songs by composer Ralf Yoezkeryan based on Garnits’ poems.
The book was published in Yerevan in 2024, supported by her former student and arts patron, Vasily Pasechnik.
Prima Classic (USA) and Primavera Foundation of Armenia launched a project to promote Armenian musicians globally. Talented artists can record and release music on major international platforms with full financial and technical support.
Edgardo Vertanessian, Prima Classic co-founder and sound engineer who has worked with top artists, leads the project. Winners of the “Emerging Artists” program were recently announced.
The initiative also offers training and seminars for Armenian musicians and sound engineers to boost their international careers.
Prima Classic’s director Edgardo Vertanessian, who has worked with Madonna, Taylor Swift, and Jay-Z, has begun collaborating with young Armenian classical musicians.
Elena Yakovleva, CEO and co-founder of Primavera Foundation of Armenia, says Vertanessian, whose family is from Western Armenia, eagerly agreed to help promote Armenian classical artists internationally.
The project focuses on discovering and recording Armenian classical musicians to create lasting works that highlight Armenian culture for future generations.
Edgardo Vertanessian, co-founder and CEO of Prima Classic, praised Armenian artists as very talented, saying the education system here works well. Speaking in Yerevan, he emphasized that success as a solo artist often requires starting training at ages 4–6, and that Armenian musicians have great potential to reach bigger stages.
Prima Classic (USA) and the Primavera Foundation of Armenia, together with Armenopole, launched a unique project to promote Armenian music worldwide. The initiative supports both established and emerging artists to record and release singles, EPs, and albums on over 80 global platforms, providing full financial, technical, and marketing support.
Prima Classic (USA) and the Primavera Foundation of Armenia, in collaboration with Armenopole, have launched a groundbreaking project to promote Armenian musicians internationally. With full financial, technical, and promotional support, selected young artists will record and release music on global platforms. Co-founder and sound engineer Edgardo Vertanessian visited Armenia for the project, which also includes educational seminars and support for aspiring sound engineers. The initiative aims to amplify Armenian artistic voices worldwide and empower local talent.
Today’s guests on « Aravot Luso » on Armenian Public TV were Astghik Dallakyan, PR Manager of the Primavera Foundation, and Edgardo Vertanessian, CEO and CoFounder of Prima Classic.
They spoke about the “Recordings and Releases for Armenian Musicians” Project, that is dedicated to promoting local talents internationally.
Date & Time: June 24, 2025, 17:00 Yerevan time
Format: Online (Zoom link will be sent to participants)
Duration: Up to 2 hours
Language: Russian/English
During the workshop, Elena will cover the following topics:
Additionally, she will personally review and provide practical recommendations on one participant’s YouTube channel. To submit your channel for review, please add the link in the comments of the announcement on our Facebook page and tag a colleague who is currently running or considering launching their own YouTube channel, and who might be interested in this master class as well.
To participate, please fill in the registration form, Zoom link will be sent 24 hours before the master class.
Participation is free, although, for non-Armenian passport holders, we welcome a donation to the foundation. Will highly appreciate it if your donation is no less than 10 000 AMD ($25).
Please note that this master class is designed for all instruments, composition, conducting students, and recent graduates.
We look forward to seeing you!
Elena Yakovleva
Co-Founder & Executive Director, Primavera Charitable Foundation
Having come from a background in business and entrepreneurship, Ms. Yakovleva made a commitment to artist management in 2017 and joined Primavera Consulting, where she represents several artists, produces projects and develops cross-cultural initiatives. She has been involved in special events and projects with Mischa Maisky, Bella Davidovich, Olga Peretyatko, Dmitry Sitkovetsky, Tan Dun, Lucas Debargue, and Dmitry Masleev. She was also a part of the production team for the documentary Forte, responsible for organizing the shoot in Moscow in 2019.
In 2020, responding to the challenges exposed by the Covid-19 crisis, together with Anastasia Boudanoque, Founder and Managing Director of Primavera Consulting, and Anna Zeiman, Founder of the digital media agency Indadata, Ms. Yakovleva created a new venture, Primavera Digital to help empower artists and performing arts organizations to be mindful of their digital presence, to take control of their digital stage, and to use digital media to turn occasional and passive listeners into actively engaged communities.
Prior to her career change, Ms. Yakovleva worked within the leadership team of Russia’s top private business school SKOLKOVO Moscow School of Management, first as Executive Education Consultant for nuclear energy and steel production companies, then as Program Director of Successors Academy for SKOLKOVO Wealth Transformation Center.
Simultaneously, Ms. Yakovleva began to explore the field of talent management, which has been her long-time passion. She translated and published James Westbrook’s The Century that Shaped the Guitar, the seminal book on the history of the instrument, and launched the Russian edition with a concert at the Moscow State Conservatory, featuring rare 19th century instruments. Shortly thereafter she began to represent Russia’s top classical guitarist, Artyom Dervoed. Since 2015, she has been collaborating with the Moscow Philharmonic Society on the management and production of the Guitar Virtuosi Festival, presenting such superstars as Pepe Romero, Aniello Desiderio, and the Assad Brothers, to name a few.
Ms. Yakovleva began her career as a project management and training consultant in the field of hydro energy production. Later, she became an HR executive for JSC RusHydro, Russia’s largest hydropower holding, where she was in charge of analyzing and improving the HR functions of the company. As part of the company’s restructuring, she formed and led the Senior Executive Department.
Ms. Yakovleva graduated from the Higher School of Economics in Moscow in 2001 and went on to earn her Master’s degree in International Human Resource Management from Kingston Business School in London in 2012.
Date & Time: July 2, 2025 | 12:00
Place: Arno Babajanyan Concert Hall, 2 Abovyan St
Free Admission
On July 2, the winners of the Emerging Artists Program 2025 will perform their full programs live — just days before entering the studio for their first professional recordings.
Come and support them on this exciting step in their musical journey.
For most of them, it will be their very first time recording professionally!
Support Armenia’s rising classical talents as they prepare for this important step in their artistic journey.
We look forward to seeing you!
“This mini album is a celebration of dance as a universal language that transcends borders and unites cultures through rhythm, emotion, and movement.
Inspired by the rich tradition of folk and national dances, I chose to explore this powerful genre through the classical guitar—an instrument capable of capturing both the subtle nuances and fiery spirit of dance music. From the deep-rooted vitality of Armenian folk dances to the passionate pulse of the tango and the intricate elegance of Spanish rhythms, each piece in this collection represents the unique soul of its culture.
Folk dances have always held deep significance in Armenian history, often becoming a source of strength and unity during times of struggle. Following in the footsteps of Armenian composers like Eduard Badalyan—who masterfully interpreted Armenian dance through guitar—I continue this tradition by reimagining and connecting the dances of different nations, each with its own story, yet all sharing the same heartbeat of the people.
Through this album, I invite listeners on a musical journey across cultures, where each dance reveals not only movement and music, but also the spirit of a nation.”
“This performance is dedicated to the hidden gems of Armenian piano music, which, unfortunately, have not found a place in the repertoires of Armenian or foreign pianists, despite having all the prerequisites to gain wide recognition and leave a strong impression on listeners.
Sargis Barkhudarian’s Poem (1921) is one of such works. Being a pioneer of Armenian classical music, Barkhudarian left behind a remarkable legacy that has, unfortunately, been overlooked by both professionals and students alike. His compositions were once met with great acclaim from renowned musicians such as Alexander Spendiarian, Alexander Glazunov, Leonid Nikolayev, Jāzeps Vītols, and Nikolai Tcherepnin.
This piece was recorded once more than 70 years ago — in 1958, by Ketti Malkhasian, but has since fallen into oblivion and is rarely performed, whether on major stages or in music schools.
With this performance, I hope to breathe new life into the work and share it with a broader audience so that it may resonate around the world. I hope this recording will encourage Armenian musicians to become interested, rediscover and spread the forgotten gems of Armenian music.”
“Armenian pianist and arranger in Tbilisi inspired for the career after the meeting with Dutch-American pianist, a student of Busoni himself.
The turning point in life of Armenian pianist and arranger, a child-prodigy Robert Andriasyan (1913-1971) was the meeting at the age of 12 with Egon Petri, one of the most outstanding pianists of the 20th century, who happened to be on tour in the region and performed in Tbilisi. Throughout his artistic life Andriasyan kept the inspirational memory of this encounter in Tbilisi as well as the enscripted photograph: “To the highly gifted little Robert Andriasyan with best wishes for the future. Tiflis, May 19, 1925. Egon Petri.”
The idea of masterminding and inspiring power of art and human support, and the importance of cross-national connections is celebrated through the proposed program, that has brought together by the six songs by the legendary Armenian composer, researcher and spiritual figure Komitas arranged for piano by Robert Andriasyan, and Bach’s Chorale prelude Sheep May Safely Graze (BWV 208), arranged for piano by Egon Petri. Exactly this piece by Bach was in Egon Petri’s program of that concert in Tbilisi in May 1925.”
“This album explores the luminous thread between Alexander Scriabin’s late musical visions and my own compositional voice. At its center stands his Sonata No. 10—a work where the romantic influence of Chopin gives way to mystical abstraction, strange harmonies, and radiant textures.
Alongside it are the Poèmes Op. 32, ephemeral and glowing with otherworldly lyricism. My piece Celeste is both homage and continuation—shaped by the unusual harmonic structure and ecstatic spirit of Scriabin. It begins in shadow, with a chaconne-like theme, and gradually ascends, dissolving into the upper registers of the piano—a gesture toward light, transcendence, and heaven.”
Mr. Edgardo Vertanessian CEO & Co-Founder, Prima Classic Record Label (USA), professional sound engineer and producer with international experience will give an workshop in Yerevan.
Workshop created for artists and those who want to learn more about recording process, album release, promotion and what’s happening behind the scenes on July 4, 2025.
Date & Time: July 4, 2025, 17:00 Yerevan time
Place: Underground Hall – Arno Babajanyan Concert Hall, 2 Abovyan St
Duration: Up to 2 hours
Language: English
To participate, please fill in the registration form:
Participation is free, although, for non-Armenian passport holders, we welcome a donation to the foundation. Will highly appreciate it if your donation is no less than 10 000 AMD ($25).
Please note that this master class is designed for all instruments, composition, conducting students, and recent graduates.
We look forward to seeing you!
“Armenians have been an important component of our Western and Christian traditions since the beginning of time, and have gone through incredible hardships whose consequences are still felt today, very vividly. It is important that their voices are given a platform—in this case, their musical voices—and that we help their people to continue to pursue excellence in their artistic expressions.” – Edgardo Vertanessian, CEO & Co-Founder, Prima Classic Record Label
Meet Mr. Edgardo Vertanessian, sound engineer and Prima Classic co-founder, and learn more about his connection to Armenia by reading his interview.
Edgardo Vertanessian
Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Edgardo entered the classical music recording industry at an early age, right after finishing his studies in Electronics and Recording Techniques.
Following his interest in live sound, Edgardo travelled to the United States to study Sound Systems Design and Calibration, and, back in Argentina, entered the live entertainment music industry, where he spent the following ten years working for major live sound companies in the country. He also became the Chief Engineer at two of the most iconic music venues in Buenos Aires: Teatro Opera and Luna Park.
In 2008 he moved permanently to the USA, and toured for over fifteen years with some of the biggest artists in the rock and pop industry. His position as Senior Engineer allowed him to design, calibrate, and in some cases mix, large-scale sound systems for stadiums, arenas, and theaters in the USA and around the world.
Throughout his 25-year career in live sound, Edgardo worked with: Taylor Swift (RED and 1989 stadium tours), The Who, One Direction (stadiums), Vance Joy, Guster, Drake, Kanye West, Rihanna, Jay-Z, Eminem, Trey Songz, 2Chainz, Panic at the Disco, Ellie Goulding, Seal, The Killers, Roger Waters, Madonna, Lady Gaga, Lenny Kravitz, and many others.
Juanes, Luis Miguel, Shakira, Joan Manuel Serrat, Cheyenne, Ricardo Arjona, Ricardo Montaner, Marco Antonio Solís, Alejandro Sanz, Joaquin Sabina, Julio Iglesias, Gustavo Cerati, Christian Castro, Alejandro Lerner, Maná, and many others.
He designed and calibrated sound systems for some of the biggest rock festivals in the USA, like Bonnaroo, Lollapalooza, iHeart, Austin City Limits, South by Southwest, Locken Fest, Tortuga Festival, Governor’s Ball, Hang Out Fest, and others.
He was involved in live concerts of Luciano Pavarotti, Jose Carreras, and numerous live opera productions such as Madama Butterfly, Aida, Carmen, and Turandot.
From 2016 until 2023, Edgardo was the sound engineer of Multi-Platinum Australian singer-songwriter Vance Joy, and toured extensively around the world.
In 2018 he co-founded, along with soprano Marina Rebeka, the record label Prima Classic, dedicated to recording the finest artists of the lyrical arts and classical music.
Edgardo engineered multiple opera recordings across Europe, most of them Award Winning: Faust, Thaïs, La Traviata, Il Pirata, Norma, La Vestale, Fausto, and Simon Boccanegra, among other lyrical projects. Many of these productions were broadcasted by Medici TV, ARTE, Opera Vision, and other European cultural outlets.
He recorded opera singers such as Marina Rebeka, Charles Castronovo, George Petean, Karine Deshayes, Ludovic Tezier, Francesco Meli, Benjamin Bernheim, Franco Vassallo, Luciano Ganci, Javier Camarena, Michele Pertusi, Hasmik Torosyan, and others.
Since 2023, Edgardo dedicates his full time and attention to Prima Classic and their numerous recording projects around the world. As Prima Classic’s Director and Chief Engineer, Edgardo is deeply involved with every aspect of every album, and he personally records, mixes or masters the vast majority of the label’s releases.
Thanks to the talented artists, original repertoire, and the company’s own mobile recording studio and associated recording and ATMOS studios, Prima Classic has garnered more than 30 international awards and multiple mentions in mass media outlets around the world.
Prima Classic has more than 100 releases to date (and quickly growing), and it collaborates with more that 90 artists from 25 countries in the five continents.
Many of Prima Classic’s artists are multi-million streamers, and are currently present in hundreds of playlists of the main music services worldwide.
As the winner, Ralph has been awarded a commission contract to compose three works, with a royalty fee of AMD 600,000.
Ralph Keuchkerian, a composer and conductor currently based in Yerevan, Armenia, began his musical journey at the age of four. Recognizing his passion, his father introduced him to piano lessons, which led to years of dedicated practice – often up to seven hours a day – inspired by the works of Bach and Mozart.
Originally from Lebanon, Ralph faced limited opportunities for professional musical education in his home country. After two years of film studies, he pursued his true passion and moved to Armenia on the recommendation of his mentor, Garo Avessian, director of the Lebanese Philharmonic Orchestra. He was awarded a full merit scholarship at the Yerevan State Conservatory, where he continues to excel, earning top grades and receiving honors from the conservatory’s president.
During his time in Armenia, Ralph has explored minimalism in modern music, developing a unique personal style. He has organized and conducted numerous concerts, presenting both his own compositions and the works of other composers, while collaborating with international musicians throughout his studies.
In Ralph’s own words:
“I can’t imagine myself doing anything else. This is what I’ve been doing for almost all my life.”
We extend our sincere gratitude to the distinguished members of the jury for their time and expertise:
Mr. Vasily Pasetchnik – Entrepreneur, Philanthropist, Primavera Charitable Foundation Board Member
Mr. Aram Hovhannisyan – Composer, Vice-Rector on Academic Affairs at the Yerevan Komitas State Conservatory
Ms. Evgenia Zhazhelo – Composer, Singer, Sound Producer
Ralph Keuchkerian’s new work will premiere live on stage on July 10, 2025. The performance will be professionally recorded.
Emerging Artists Program Gala Concert & Winners Announcement
The winners of the first edition of the Emerging Artists Program: Recordings & Releases for Armenian Musicians were revealed during a special online gala concert held on May 16, 2025.
This globally streamed event featured seven outstanding Armenian musicians and marked the conclusion of a program created by the Primavera Charitable Foundation and Prima Classic Record Label, in partnership with Armenopole and the State Philharmonia of Armenia / Arno Babajanyan Concert Hall.
The Gala served as both a celebration of talent and a launchpad for the selected artists, who will each receive a professional recording and release package — including studio time, postproduction, artwork design, and global digital distribution.
Through this initiative, the organizers aim to provide emerging Armenian musicians with international exposure and long-term artistic support.
Watch the Video Reportage by FreeNews on the 2nd Yerevan Chamber Music School led by Professor Irina Krasotina, pianist and professor at the Tchaikovsky Moscow State Conservatory.
Held from May 5 to 8, the Chamber Music School brought together talented young musicians for a week of collaboration, mentorship, and artistic development.
The program concluded with a gala concert on May 9 at the Arno Babajanyan Concert Hall in Yerevan.
Organized by the Primavera Foundation of Armenia, both the courses and the concert were offered free of charge to Armenian participants and audiences.
The program included chamber works by W.A. Mozart, M. Bruch, A. Khachaturian, F. Mendelssohn, E. Grieg, and A. Piazzolla.
In this FreeNews video reportage, follow the journey of these young musicians and hear Professor Krasotina’s reflections on the role of chamber music in nurturing both artistic skill and human connection.
On this morning’s episode of Nur TV’s “Good Morning,” the guests were Evgenia Sluchak, Board Member of the Primavera Charitable Foundation, and Aleksandra Hayrapetyan, a participant of the Chamber Music School. During the interview, they reflected on their experiences in the program and shared their impressions of the final gala concert.
They spoke about the importance of collaboration in chamber music, the opportunity to grow artistically alongside peers, and the supportive environment created throughout the school. Both highlighted the gala concert as a meaningful and emotional conclusion to an intensive and inspiring journey.
The Chamber Music School continues to serve as a valuable initiative, offering young musicians a space to develop their ensemble skills, build connections, and gain stage experience guided by professional mentors.
Watch video
As reported by Bravo.am, renowned Spanish soprano Ainhoa Arteta will perform for the first time in Yerevan on May 18 at the Aram Khachaturian Concert Hall, accompanied by acclaimed pianist Víctor Carbajo.
Her concert, titled “I Come from Spain”, will highlight the emotional and colorful spirit of Spanish music, featuring works by Antón García Abril, Manuel de Falla, Fernando Obradors, and Enrique Granados.
The event is organized by the Embassy of Spain in Armenia, with the support of the Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra and the Primavera Foundation.
As reported by Panorama.am, legendary Spanish soprano Ainhoa Arteta will perform in Armenia for the first time on May 18 at the Aram Khachaturian Concert Hall. The concert, titled “I Come from Spain”, will feature renowned pianist Víctor Carbajo.
Organized by the Embassy of Spain in Armenia, with the support of the Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra and the Primavera Foundation of Armenia, the evening will celebrate the warmth and color of Spanish music, featuring works by Antón García Abril, Manuel de Falla, Fernando Obradors, and Enrique Granados.
Read the full article on Panorama.am for more.
Legendary Spanish soprano Ainhoa Arteta will perform in Yerevan for the first time on May 18 at the Aram Khachaturian Concert Hall, accompanied by renowned pianist Víctor Carbajo.
Titled “I Come from Spain”, the concert will highlight the emotional depth and vibrant spirit of Spanish music, featuring works by Manuel de Falla, Enrique Granados, Fernando Obradors, and Antón García Abril.
The event is organized by the Embassy of Spain in Armenia, with the support of the Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra and the Primavera Foundation.
Read the full article on Iravunk.com.
On May 8, Anna Pronicheva, Producer of Educational Projects, and Milena Manukyan, Head of Advancement, were guests on ATV’s Arajin Cragir to speak about the 2nd Chamber Music School by Irina Krasotina in Yerevan.
During the interview, they discussed the purpose and significance of the program, the importance of chamber music education, the students it is designed to support, and their expectations for this year’s edition. They also spoke about the upcoming Graduation Gala Concert, where the young musicians will present the results of their intensive training and collaboration.
2nd Chamber Music School by Irina Krasotina – Graduation Gala Concert
Date: May 9
Time: 19:00
Location: Arno Babajanyan Concert Hall
Admission: Free
For the second year in a row, the Primavera Foundation of Armenia, in partnership with the Arno Babajanyan Concert Hall, organized the Chamber Music School — a free educational initiative for young Armenian musicians.
Led by Professor Irina Krasotina of the Tchaikovsky Moscow State Conservatory, the school took place from May 5–8, with a free-entry gala concert held on May 9 at the Arno Babajanyan Concert Hall.
This year, ensembles included both local and international participants performing works by Mozart, Khachaturian, Grieg, and Piazzolla. The program featured instruments such as piano, violin, flute, clarinet, cello, and classical guitar.
Professor Krasotina also performed alongside the students and emphasized the importance of chamber music in building collaboration, stage communication, and long-term artistic partnerships.
A new Armenian-language translation of her chamber music methodology book is currently being prepared by the Foundation.
Read the full article on Armenpress.am to learn more about the program’s impact and this year’s highlights.
Chamber Music School 2025: Nurturing Young Talent Across Borders
For the second year in a row, the Primavera Foundation of Armenia, with the support of the Arno Babajanyan Concert Hall and under the sponsorship of Armbrok Investment Company, is hosting the Chamber Music School, led by Professor Irina Krasotina of the Tchaikovsky Moscow State Conservatory.
Held from May 5 to 8, the program offers free chamber music training to young musicians from Armenia and abroad, culminating in a free gala concert on May 9 at the Arno Babajanyan Concert Hall. Eight ensembles will perform works by Mozart, Khachaturian, Grieg, and Piazzolla.
Professor Krasotina also joins students on stage and continues to inspire through both teaching and performance. An Armenian translation of her chamber music method book is currently being prepared by the Foundation.
For the second year, the Primavera Foundation of Armenia, with the support of the Arno Babajanyan Concert Hall and under the sponsorship of Armbrok Investment Company, is organizing the Chamber Music School led by Professor Irina Krasotina of the Tchaikovsky Moscow State Conservatory.
Held from May 5–8, the school brings together young musicians from Armenia and abroad for free masterclasses in chamber ensemble playing. The program will conclude with a free gala concert on May 9 at the Arno Babajanyan Concert Hall, featuring performances of works by Mozart, Khachaturian, Grieg, and Piazzolla.
Professor Krasotina will also join the students on stage, highlighting the school’s mission of artistic collaboration and mentorship.
A full Armenian translation of her chamber music method book is currently in preparation by the Foundation.
Chamber Music School 2025: A Celebration of Talent and Collaboration
For the second year, the Primavera Foundation of Armenia, with the support of the Arno Babajanyan Concert Hall, is organizing the Chamber Music School—a free educational initiative for young musicians from Armenia and abroad. This year’s edition is held under the sponsorship of Armbrok Investment Company.
Led by Professor Irina Krasotina of the Tchaikovsky Moscow State Conservatory, the program takes place from May 5 to 8 and concludes with a free-entry gala concert on May 9.
Ensembles will perform works by Mozart, Khachaturian, Grieg, and Piazzolla. Professor Krasotina will also perform alongside students, continuing her mission of mentorship and musical exchange.
Read the full article on Aysor.am.
From April 12 to 14, 2025, a series of free classical guitar concerts by Vahan Sargsyan took place across the Kapan region, bringing the warmth of live music to regional communities as part of the “Armenian Musicians to Armenian Communities” initiative.
Organized by the Primavera Foundation with the generous support of the Viva Foundation, this tour offered cultural connection and emotional support through music.
💬 We highly recommend attending future events – these concerts are a celebration of Armenian talent and a gift to our communities.
🙏 With heartfelt thanks to Tatyana Oganesyan and the Viva Foundation for their commitment to cultural outreach.
The U.S.-based record label Prima Classic and the Primavera Foundation of Armenia have launched a joint project to promote Armenian music and musicians globally. The initiative provides Armenian artists—both emerging and established—with the opportunity to record and release digital music on over 80 international platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube, with full financial, technical, and promotional support.
A shortlist for the “Beginner Musicians” program (ages 18–28) has been announced, featuring seven talented young performers. Their videos will be broadcast on the Armenopole platform on May 16, when four winners will be revealed.
We are honored to continue our performances for the displaced people of Artsakh and the local community members in Armenian regions.
We are delighted to present young Armenian pianist Ruben Kozin, who is our Piano program fellow.
Ruben applied to Dmitry Masleev’s piano master classes in Yerevan and later was invited to perform at the Visages d’Arménie Festival in France.
FREE ENTRANCE CONCERT
Date & Time: May, 12 at 16:00
Venue: Charentsavan Music School, st. Ogakain 11
Admission: FREE for everyone
D. Scarlatti 3 Sonatas d moll K.1, K. 32, K. 141
F. Schubert – F. Liszt Valse-Caprice No.6 «Soirees de Vienne»
J. Brahms Scherzo in E flat minor, Op. 4
A. Babajanyan Elegy
R. Schumann Kreisleriana, op. 16
Ruben Kozin was born in 1997. When he was only 5 years old, he entered music school. At the age of 12, Ruben changed to the Central Music School at the P.I. Tchaikovsky Moscow State Conservatory studying piano with Natalia Trull, professor of the Conservatory. In 2020 Ruben graduated from Moscow State P.I. Tchaikovsky Conservatory.
In Russia, Ruben Kozin has performed at the Great and the Small Rachmaninov Halls of the Moscow State Conservatory, at the Concert Hall of the Russian State Gnessin Academy of Music, the Moscow International House of Music and at the Concert Hall of the Moscow Museum of Musical Culture. Furthermore, Ruben has given concerts in Armenia, Croatia, Poland, Lithuania, Italy, Malta, Kazakhstan, Denmark, Germany, Belgium and Belarus.
Ruben has already achieved several international competitions. In May 2016, he won the 3rd prize at the International Piano Competition FVG (Sacile, Italy), and in September 2016 the 3rd prize at the Andre Dumortier International Piano Competition (Leuze-en-Hainaut, Belgium).
In April 2017 Ruben won the 2nd prize at the Malta International Piano Competition, in August 2017 he gained the 2nd prize at the First International Eurasian Music Games in Astana, Kazakhstan. At the VIII International Piano Competition in Almaty (Kazakhstan), he won in November 2017 the 2nd prize.
In June 2023 he became a finalist of the 19th Aram Khachaturian International competition in Yerevan.
Ruben took part in master classes of Akiko Ebi, Ronan O’Hora, Youngho Kim, Jenny Zaharieva, Eugen Indjic, Andrea Bonatta, Kevin Kenner, Dmitry Masleev, Pascal Nemirovski, and Vanessa Latarche.
His vast repertoire already includes more than 15 piano concertos from different periods. Ruben performed with the Armenian State Symphony Orchestra, the National Chamber Orchestra of Armenia, the Orchestra of the Central Music School at Moscow State P.I. Tchaikovsky Conservatory, and the Rostov Academic Symphony Orchestra.
The American recording company Prima Classic (USA), in collaboration with Primavera Foundation of Armenia and the Armenopole international platform, has launched an unprecedented project aimed at promoting Armenian musicians and music on global stages.
The initiative offers both emerging and established Armenian musicians the chance to record and release digital singles, EPs, and full albums on major international platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube. Participants will receive full financial and technical support, including professional recording, post-production, international marketing tools, and promotional assistance.
For the first time in Armenia, the American recording company Prima Classic and the charitable organization Primavera Foundation of Armenia, in collaboration with the international online platform Armenopole, have launched an unprecedented project to promote Armenian musicians and Armenian music on international platforms.
Read the full article on aravot.am
We thank each and everyone who applied, it was extremely hard choice!
Seven selected Armenian musicians will be featured during an online globally promoted Gala concert on May 16, 2025.
Only 4 (four) candidates will get an opportunity to record a single or EP (mini album) as soon as this July in Yerevan. The four winners will be announced at the end of the online Gala concert.
If you were not selected — we encourage you to apply again the next year.
The Shortlisted Artists:
Meet Vahan Sargsyan – Winner of the Emerging Artists Program Special Prize by Edgardo Vertanessian, Co-founder and CEO of Prima Classic
Vahan Sargsyan, born on January 30, 2002, in Yerevan, began his classical guitar journey at age 10. He graduated from the P. I. Tchaikovsky Secondary Music School and is currently in his third year at the Yerevan State Conservatory — in both institutions, he studied under the guidance of Nune Badalyan.
In 2025, as part of the Emerging Artists Program, Vahan received the Special Prize from Edgardo Vertanessian, Co-founder and CEO of Prima Classic, which grants him the opportunity to record an additional EP — a major step in his artistic path.
His collaboration with the Primavera Foundation began in 2022, when he participated in master classes by renowned guitarist Artem Dervoed. Impressed by his performance and potential, Dervoed personally recommended Vahan as a tutor in the Foundation’s Classical Guitar Program. Later, Vahan joined the “Armenian Musicians for Armenian Communities” initiative, taking part in a regional concert tour across Syunik, where he inspired local audiences through his performances.
Support the program to help more talented Armenian musicians like Vahan thrive.
Meet Suren Babayan – Nominee of the Emerging Artists Program
Suren began his musical journey at the Yerevan Music School named after Sayat-Nova, later continuing at the Alexander Adjemian Music School. He is currently completing his Master’s degree in Performing Arts (Piano) at the Yerevan State Conservatory after Komitas, where he also earned his Bachelor’s.
Throughout his studies, Suren has been recognized for his talent and dedication. He won first prizes at the Yerevan Music and Art Schools Competition-Festival and the Art Music Piano Competition, and received third prize at the Kamerton-Soloists Piano Competition. He has taken part in prestigious events such as “Aram Khachaturian 120,” and has refined his craft through masterclasses with renowned pianists like Yuri Bogdanov, Polina Osetinskaya, Pascal Godart, Irina Krasotina, and others.
His Emerging Artists Program project is dedicated to reviving Armenian piano music by recording and sharing forgotten or rarely performed works by Armenian composers. From lesser-known talents to hidden gems by iconic figures like Khachaturian and Babadjanian, Suren aims to bring these pieces back to life and make them accessible to audiences, students, and musicians around the world.
“I want to introduce the world to Armenia’s unheard piano masterpieces.” – Suren Babayan
Support the program to help more talented Armenian musicians like Suren thrive.
Meet Ruben Kozin – Emerging Artists Program 2025 Nominee
Ruben Kozin is an Armenian pianist whose artistry blends virtuosic brilliance with deep musical insight. He began his piano journey at just five years old and went on to study at the prestigious Central Music School and Moscow State P.I. Tchaikovsky Conservatory, under the guidance of renowned professor Natalia Trull.
A laureate of over 15 international competitions and festivals, Ruben has been recognized at events such as the Andre Dumortier International Piano Competition (Belgium), Aram Khachaturian International Competition (Armenia), and the Malta International Piano Competition.
Ruben has performed extensively in Armenia and abroad — from France and Germany to Kazakhstan and Japan — and has graced stages at the Visages d’Arménie Festival, Moscow Meets Friends, Gradus Piano Festival in Denmark, and more.
His repertoire spans over 15 piano concertos. Ruben collaborates with top orchestras including the Armenian State Symphony Orchestra (with Sergey Smbatyan) and the Lithuanian Chamber Orchestra, and has worked alongside celebrated violinists like Thomas Lefort and Karen Shahgaldyan.
A passionate advocate for contemporary music, Ruben actively inspires composers to write new works. In May 2024, he premiered Eduard Hayrapetyan’s Second Piano Sonata, written especially for him.
Ruben Kozin is also a fellow of the Primavera Foundation Armenia, supporting his mission to elevate Armenian music on the global stage.
Support the next generation of Armenian musicians.
Meet Gur Sargsyan – Emerging Artists Program 2025 Nominee
Born on November 16, 2006, Gur Sargsyan is one of Armenia’s brightest young pianists.
A student of Professor Vagharshak Harutyunyan at the Yerevan Komitas State Conservatory, Gur has already established an impressive international reputation at just 18 years old.
Gur is a laureate of major competitions, including:
• 1st Prize – BTHVN Wien International Competition (Austria, 2023)
• 1st Prize – Scherzo International Piano Competition (Israel, 2024)
• 1st Prize – London International Music Competition (UK, 2024)
• 1st Prize – Medici International Music Competition (2024)
• Special Prizes for Best Beethoven and Rachmaninoff performances.
As part of the Emerging Artists Program, Gur has proposed a bold and diverse solo program, demonstrating both his technical mastery and emotional depth:
• Rachmaninoff – Corelli Variations
• Chopin – Piano Sonata No. 3 and Ballade No. 4
• Liszt – Dante Sonata
• Ravel – Gaspard de la Nuit
• Schumann – Symphonic Etudes
• Rachmaninoff – Selected Preludes (No. 5, 6, 7, 10, 12)
Support the future of Armenian classical music — help talents like Gur reach new heights.
Meet Hayk Hekekyan – Emerging Artists Program 2025 Nominee
Hayk Hekekyan, 19, is an Armenian oboist currently studying at the Cologne Academy of Music and Dance under the guidance of Christian Wetzel. He graduated from the Sayat-Nova School of Music in 2023, where he studied under the guidance of Harutyun Shakhkyan.
Selected awards include:
• Finalist – Classical Eurovision 2024, Norway
• 1st Prize – XI Stockholm International Music Competition, Sweden
• Absolute First Prize – Fanny Mendelssohn International Competition, Belgium, 2024
• 1st Prize – Euterpe International Music Competition, Germany
• Winner – The Road to Classical Eurovision, Armenia, 2024
He has performed with the Armenian State Symphony Orchestra, National Chamber Orchestra of Armenia, Moscow Virtuosi, St. Petersburg Symphony Orchestra, and the Broadcasting Orchestra of Norway.
As part of the Emerging Artists Program, Hayk plans to record a program focused on ancient Armenian spiritual chants arranged for the oboe, alongside a Baroque or Classical work that highlights the instrument’s lyrical and expressive qualities.
The recording project aims to further develop his performance and studio experience.
Support the next generation of Armenian musicians.
Meet Gayane Aslanyan – Emerging Artists Program 2025 Nominee
Gayane Aslanyan is a pianist and composer who seamlessly blends classical tradition with contemporary creativity.
She holds a Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Advanced Piano Performance diploma from the Yerevan State Conservatory under the guidance of Vagharshak Harutyunyan, and later expanded her expertise with a Sound Design for Media course at XSSR Academy.
Gayane’s achievements include:
• 1st Prize – “Heaven and Earth” Competition, Moscow
• Best Accompanist – Khachaturian Competition
• AGBU “Artbox Entrepreneur” grant recipient
As an artist, Gayane is known for her versatility:
• She has performed at leading venues such as Gafesjian Concert Hall, Khachaturian House-Museum, and Babajanyan Concert Hall.
• She held multiple sold-out solo recitals at TODA Dubai.
• Her debut album, Ghibliana, inspired by anime music, has surpassed 100,000 streams on Spotify.
Alongside her career as a solo performer, she works as an accompanist at the Yerevan State Conservatory and is active as a private piano teacher, composer, and sound designer.
Through the Emerging Artists Program, Gayane continues to develop her unique musical language — merging classical performance, electroacoustic sounds, and contemporary storytelling.
Support artists like Gayane who are shaping the future of music.
Meet Shushan Arevshatyan – Pianist, Composer, and Emerging Artists Program 2025 Nominee
Born in 2003 in Yerevan, Shushan Arevshatyan has been shaping her musical identity since the age of five. A graduate of the P. I. Tchaikovsky Specialized Music School and currently a student of Professor Vagharshak Harutyunyan at the Yerevan Komitas State Conservatory, Shushan stands out as both a brilliant pianist and an emerging composer.
Shushan is a laureate of numerous international competitions, including:
• 2nd Prize – IX Stockholm International Music Competition (2022)
• 1st Prize – Erik Satie International Music Competition (2024)
• 1st Prize – Grand Master Music Competition (2024)
• 2nd Prize – Classical Music Stars International Competition (2024)
As part of her Emerging Artists Program journey, Shushan has proposed a rich and challenging solo program. Her repertoire includes masterpieces such as:
Bach’s Chromatic Fantasy and Fugue in D minor
Haydn’s Andante & Variations in F minor
Prokofiev’s Piano Sonata No. 7 (“Stalingrad”)
Scriabin’s Sonata No. 5
Plus her own original composition, Extasis – a bold contemporary Armenian work.
With a vision to explore both the lyrical and dramatic extremes of the piano, Shushan aims to record these works to highlight the beauty of interpretation, improvisation, and the enduring voice of Armenian music.
Support young Armenian artists like Shushan in bringing new ideas and interpretations to life.
Meet Narek Hekekyan – Emerging Artists Program 2025 Nominee
Narek Hekekyan is an Armenian cellist currently studying at the Zurich University of the Arts. Previously, he studied at the Yerevan Komitas State Conservatory and graduated with honors from the Sayat-Nova School of Music.
Selected awards include:
• 1st Prize – World’s Best Musicians Competition, Poland, 2023
• 1st Prize – Tokyo International Music Competition, Japan, 2022
• 1st Prize – International BTHVN Wien Music Competition, Austria, 2022
• Grand Prix – Silk Way International Competition, Russia, 2021
• 1st Prize – AGBU Discovers Talents String Instruments Competition, Armenia, 2021
His experience includes performances at the Collegium Musicum International Academy (Germany), the Tsinandali Fest (Georgia), and concert collaborations with renowned musicians such as Gautier Capuçon, Yuja Wang, and Mischa Maisky.
As part of the Emerging Artists Program, Narek proposes a recording project that combines Armenian and European classical music. His program includes works by Komitas, reflecting Armenian cultural heritage, and selections from Bach’s Cello Suites, representing technical and emotional depth.
The recording will support Narek’s professional development and serve as a step toward his future goal of establishing a music academy for talented youth in Armenia’s regions. Support the next generation of Armenian musicians.
On the top of that!
Prima Classic Record Label / Edgardo Vertanessian’s Special Prize: the additional EP recording slot goes to Vahan Sargsyan, classical guitar.
Congratulations to all the musicians! Being chosen is a big achievement, we thank you for your dedication and hard work.
Primavera Charitable Foundation and Prima Classic Record Label in partnership with Armenpole digital platform are proud to support the next generation of Armenian artists and is excited to see the music they will bring to the world!
Application deadline is May 17, 2025, 18:00
I WANT TO COME AS:
Venue: Yerevan, Aram Khachaturian Concert Hall
Date & Time: May 20, 2025, 11:00 – 18:00.
Language: English
Entrance: FREE for everyone, registration required
The detailed schedule will be available on Primavera Foundation Armenia’s social media before the event. The entrance to all events for the audience is free.
THE ACADEMY IS ORGANIZED BY THE PRIMAVERA FOUNDATION ARMENIA WITH THE SUPPORT OF THE ANPO
“The incredible gift, artistic vision and creative freedom” of Lucas Debargue was revealed by his performances at the Tchaikovsky International Competition in Moscow in 2015 and distinguished with the coveted Prize of the Moscow Music Critics’ Association.
Today, Lucas is invited to play solo and with leading orchestras in the most prestigious venues including Carnegie Hall, Chicago Symphony Hall, The Kennedy Center, Benaroya Hall in Seattle, Boston’s Jordan Hall and Sanders Theatre, Maison de la Musique in Montreal, the Royal Conservatory of Toronto, Theatre des Champs Elysées and Philharmonie de Paris, London’s Wigmore Hall and Royal Festival Hall, Berlin Philharmonic, Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, the concert halls of Tokyo, Beijing, Shanghai, Taipei, and Seoul.
A Sony recording artist, Debargue has recently released his sixth album: the complete piano literature of Gabriel Faure in four volumes, a mix of iconic and completely unknown works. In an interview to the French national radio (France Musique) the pianist revealed that “this music is made of fire, blood and sweat.”
His previous recording projects feature works of Scarlatti, Bach, Beethoven, Schubert, Chopin, Liszt, Ravel, Medtner, Szymanowsky and Miłosz Magin, a discovery of a fascinating musical personality made in collaboration with Kremerata Baltica and Gidon Kremer. The monumental four-volume tribute to Scarlatti, which came out at the end of 2019, has been praised by The New York Times and selected by NPR among “the 10 classical albums to usher in the next decade”.
Lucas Debargue collaborates with the world’s most celebrated conductors, including Mikhail Pletnev, Vladimir Jurowski, Ludovic Morlot, Stéphane Denève, Maxim Emelyanychev, Andrey Boreyko, Bertrand de Billy, Elim Chan and Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla. Among his chamber music partners are Klaus Mäkelä, Janine Jansen, Martin Frost, Gidon Kremer and other extraordinary musicians.
Born in 1990, Lucas forged a highly unconventional path to success. Having discovered classical music at the age of 10, the future musician began to feed his passion and curiosity with diverse artistic and intellectual experiences, which included advanced studies of literature and philosophy. The encounter with the celebrated piano teacher Rena Shereshevskaya proved a turning point: her vision and guidance inspired Lucas to make a life-long professional commitment to music.
A performer of fierce integrity and dazzling communicative power, Lucas Debargue draws inspiration for his playing from literature, painting, cinema, jazz, and develops very personal interpretation of a carefully selected repertoire. Though the core piano repertoire is central to his career, he is keen to present works by lesser-known composers like Karol Szymanowski, Nikolai Medtner, or Miłosz Magin. Lucas devotes a large portion of his time to composition and has already created over twenty works for piano solo and chamber ensembles. These include Orpheo di camera concertino for piano, drums and string orchestra, premiered by Kremerata Baltica, and a Piano Trio was created under the auspices of the Louis Vuitton Foundation in Paris. As a permanent artistic partner of Kremerata Baltica, Lucas has been commissioned to write a chamber opera on the subject of assisted suicide. Lucas’s breakthrough at the Tchaikovsky Competition is the subject of the documentary To Music. Directed by Martin Mirabel and produced by Bel Air Media, it was shown at the International Film Festival in Biarritz in 2018.
The American recording label Prima Classic, in collaboration with the Primavera Foundation of Armenia and the Armenopole international platform, has launched a groundbreaking project to promote Armenian musicians and music worldwide.
This initiative supports both established and emerging Armenian artists in recording and releasing digital singles, EPs, and albums on over 80 global platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube, with full financial, technical, and marketing support.
The 2025 spring concert series of the “Armenian Musicians for Armenian Communities” program took place from April 7–18 across Syunik, Kotayk, and Aragatsotn regions. Organized by the Primavera Foundation of Armenia, the initiative brings free concerts and masterclasses to regional communities, connecting talented young musicians from Yerevan with audiences far from the capital.
Read the full article on Armenpress to learn more about the concerts, the mission behind the project, and the impact on local communities.
Read an article on Aravot.am about how Vahan Sargsyan’s and Ruben Kozin’s regional tours, part of the Primavera Foundation’s “Armenian Musicians for Armenian Communities” project, are delivering fresh, new musical experiences throughout Armenia’s regions.
The Young Armenian Composers’ Competition is designed to discover and support emerging Armenian composers living in Armenia. The Call is open to professional composers, recent graduates, or students between the ages 18 and 35 (inclusive) as of the date of application.
Applicants must submit two original compositions:
* Transcriptions or arrangements will not be accepted.
The winner will be awarder a commission contract to compose new work(s) for voice & piano (or optionally for guitar, violin, and cello or an ensemble.
A royalty fee of AMD 200,000 to 600,000 will be offered, depending on the number of comissioned works.
All commissioned works will premiere on stage in July 2025, and the performance will be professionally recorded (audio & video).
The author or authors of the award-winning compositions living in Armenia will be invited to Yerevan to participate in rehearsals and the concert.
The concert will be held at the Aram Khachaturian Museum on 10 July 2025:
Evening of Music & Poetry. Tribute to poet Natalia Garnits. Concert & «Armenian Album» Book Presentation.
Application Deadline
April 15
Winners Announcement
April 22
Commissions deadline
June 10
Performance Date
July 10, at 19:00, Aram Khachaturian Museum
THE COMPETITION IS ORGANIZED BY THE PRIMAVERA FOUNDATION ARMENIA
WITH THE SUPPORT OF
Primavera Foundation expresses sincere gratitude to the Union of Russian Composers for the support and guidance.
The competition is open to Armenian composers aged 18 – 35 (inclusive) years who meet all of the following criteria:
Successful nominees and winners will be notified by email and announced on Primavera Charitable Foundation social media.
Before submitting, please ensure you have:
Successful applicants will be notified by email and phone and announced on Primavera Charitable Foundation social media profiles.
By applying you accept and agree with the Terms and Conditions and give permission to proceed, store and use the personal information, photos and videos for the technical documentation, official website, and social media announcements. After the Competition, all submitted video materials and results will be published on the Primavera Foundation Armenia website.
The successful applicants independently cover their travel expenses and accommodation costs. The Primavera Foundation Armenia is not responsible for any costs associated with this journey.
The Competition organizing committee accepts only applications submitted using the Primavera Foundation Armenia website form by April 15, 2024, by 18:00.
We are pleased to announce the winner of the Composer Competition 2025 – Ralph Keuchkerian.
As the winner, Ralph has been awarded a commission contract to compose three works, with a royalty fee of AMD 600,000.
Ralph Keuchkerian, a composer and conductor currently based in Yerevan, Armenia, began his musical journey at the age of four. Recognizing his passion, his father introduced him to piano lessons, which led to years of dedicated practice – often up to seven hours a day – inspired by the works of Bach and Mozart.
Originally from Lebanon, Ralph faced limited opportunities for professional musical education in his home country. After two years of film studies, he pursued his true passion and moved to Armenia on the recommendation of his mentor, Garo Avessian, director of the Lebanese Philharmonic Orchestra. He was awarded a full merit scholarship at the Yerevan State Conservatory, where he continues to excel, earning top grades and receiving honors from the conservatory’s president.
During his time in Armenia, Ralph has explored minimalism in modern music, developing a unique personal style. He has organized and conducted numerous concerts, presenting both his own compositions and the works of other composers, while collaborating with international musicians throughout his studies.
In Ralph’s own words:
“I can’t imagine myself doing anything else. This is what I’ve been doing for almost all my life.”
We extend our sincere gratitude to the distinguished members of the jury for their time and expertise:
We also thank all the talented participants for their outstanding submissions.
Ralph Keuchkerian’s new work will premiere live on stage on July 10, 2025. The performance will be professionally recorded.
For more details, eligibility inquiries, or application support, reach out to our team at edu(@)primavera-foundation.com
We are honored to continue our performances for the displaced people of Artsakh and the local community members in Armenian regions.
We are delighted to present young Armenian pianist Ruben Kozin, who is our Piano program fellow.
Ruben applied to Dmitry Masleev’s piano master classes in Yerevan and later was invited to perform at the Visages d’Arménie Festival in France.
FREE ENTRANCE CONCERT
Date & Time: April, 7 at 15:00
Venue: Hrazdan Music School, Microdistrict district, building 106
Admission: FREE for everyone
D. Scarlatti 3 Sonatas d moll K.1, K. 32, K. 141
F. Schubert – F. Liszt Valse-Caprice No.6 «Soirees de Vienne»
J. Brahms Scherzo in E flat minor, Op. 4
A. Babajanyan Elegy
R. Schumann Kreisleriana, op. 16
Ruben Kozin was born in 1997. When he was only 5 years old, he entered music school. At the age of 12, Ruben changed to the Central Music School at the P.I. Tchaikovsky Moscow State Conservatory studying piano with Natalia Trull, professor of the Conservatory. In 2020 Ruben graduated from Moscow State P.I. Tchaikovsky Conservatory.
In Russia, Ruben Kozin has performed at the Great and the Small Rachmaninov Halls of the Moscow State Conservatory, at the Concert Hall of the Russian State Gnessin Academy of Music, the Moscow International House of Music and at the Concert Hall of the Moscow Museum of Musical Culture. Furthermore, Ruben has given concerts in Armenia, Croatia, Poland, Lithuania, Italy, Malta, Kazakhstan, Denmark, Germany, Belgium and Belarus.
Ruben has already achieved several international competitions. In May 2016, he won the 3rd prize at the International Piano Competition FVG (Sacile, Italy), and in September 2016 the 3rd prize at the Andre Dumortier International Piano Competition (Leuze-en-Hainaut, Belgium).
In April 2017 Ruben won the 2nd prize at the Malta International Piano Competition, in August 2017 he gained the 2nd prize at the First International Eurasian Music Games in Astana, Kazakhstan. At the VIII International Piano Competition in Almaty (Kazakhstan), he won in November 2017 the 2nd prize.
In June 2023 he became a finalist of the 19th Aram Khachaturian International competition in Yerevan.
Ruben took part in master classes of Akiko Ebi, Ronan O’Hora, Youngho Kim, Jenny Zaharieva, Eugen Indjic, Andrea Bonatta, Kevin Kenner, Dmitry Masleev, Pascal Nemirovski, and Vanessa Latarche.
His vast repertoire already includes more than 15 piano concertos from different periods. Ruben performed with the Armenian State Symphony Orchestra, the National Chamber Orchestra of Armenia, the Orchestra of the Central Music School at Moscow State P.I. Tchaikovsky Conservatory, and the Rostov Academic Symphony Orchestra.
As a part of our program “Armenian Musicians to Armenian Communities” we are happy to announce tour of classical guitarist Vahan Sargsyan, with a generous support of Viva Foundation.
On April 12-14, 2025 Vahan Sargsyan the Primavera Foundation tutor will give a series of classical guitar concerts it Kapan region.
WE HIGHLY RECOMMEND COMING ALL INTERESTED!
Learn more about Viva Foundation , and our personal gratitude to Tatyana Oganesyan!
12:00 – Concert in Tsav Village
Administrartive House, Tsav Village, Kapan
15:00 – Concert in Yeghvard Village
House of Culture, Yeghvard village, Kapan
17:00 – Concert in Kapan
Kapan Music School No. 2
Vahan Sargsyan
Vahan Sargsyan was born on January 30, 2002, in Yerevan. He began his musical journey at the age of 10. He graduated from the P. I. Tchaikovsky Secondary Music School. Following his military service, he continued his education at the Yerevan State Conservatory, named after Komitas, where he is currently in his second year of his Bachelor’s degree.
Vahan is a recipient of numerous international competition awards, including the 2nd prize at the Tbilisi International Classical Guitar Competition, recognition at the Pleven International Guitar Festival-Competition, the Grand Prize at the “Renaissance” International Festival-Competition, and the 1st Prize at the “Art Music” International Festival.
On March 22, Dmitry Masleev led a master class and roundtable at the Aram Khachaturian Concert Hall, sharing insights on preparation, performance, and the challenges of a musician’s career.
Masleev discussed his pre-performance rituals, the differences between solo and orchestral performances, and his experience with the Tchaikovsky Competition. He also addressed handling creative crises and burnout and offered advice for young musicians.
We have recorded everything – subscribe to our YouTube and do not miss behind-the-scenes insights from a world-renowned artist!
We are honored to continue our performances for the displaced people of Artsakh and the local community members in Armenian regions.
We are delighted to present young Armenian pianist Ruben Kozin, who is our Piano program fellow.
Ruben applied to Dmitry Masleev’s piano master classes in Yerevan and later was invited to perform at the Visages d’Arménie Festival in France.
FREE ENTRANCE CONCERT
Date & Time: April, 14 at 16:00
Venue: Ashtarak Music School, Ashtaraketsi Square 10
Admission: FREE for everyone
D. Scarlatti 3 Sonatas d moll K.1, K. 32, K. 141
F. Schubert – F. Liszt Valse-Caprice No.6 «Soirees de Vienne»
J. Brahms Scherzo in E flat minor, Op. 4
A. Babajanyan Elegy
R. Schumann Kreisleriana, op. 16
Ruben Kozin was born in 1997. When he was only 5 years old, he entered music school. At the age of 12, Ruben changed to the Central Music School at the P.I. Tchaikovsky Moscow State Conservatory studying piano with Natalia Trull, professor of the Conservatory. In 2020 Ruben graduated from Moscow State P.I. Tchaikovsky Conservatory.
In Russia, Ruben Kozin has performed at the Great and the Small Rachmaninov Halls of the Moscow State Conservatory, at the Concert Hall of the Russian State Gnessin Academy of Music, the Moscow International House of Music and at the Concert Hall of the Moscow Museum of Musical Culture. Furthermore, Ruben has given concerts in Armenia, Croatia, Poland, Lithuania, Italy, Malta, Kazakhstan, Denmark, Germany, Belgium and Belarus.
Ruben has already achieved several international competitions. In May 2016, he won the 3rd prize at the International Piano Competition FVG (Sacile, Italy), and in September 2016 the 3rd prize at the Andre Dumortier International Piano Competition (Leuze-en-Hainaut, Belgium).
In April 2017 Ruben won the 2nd prize at the Malta International Piano Competition, in August 2017 he gained the 2nd prize at the First International Eurasian Music Games in Astana, Kazakhstan. At the VIII International Piano Competition in Almaty (Kazakhstan), he won in November 2017 the 2nd prize.
In June 2023 he became a finalist of the 19th Aram Khachaturian International competition in Yerevan.
Ruben took part in master classes of Akiko Ebi, Ronan O’Hora, Youngho Kim, Jenny Zaharieva, Eugen Indjic, Andrea Bonatta, Kevin Kenner, Dmitry Masleev, Pascal Nemirovski, and Vanessa Latarche.
His vast repertoire already includes more than 15 piano concertos from different periods. Ruben performed with the Armenian State Symphony Orchestra, the National Chamber Orchestra of Armenia, the Orchestra of the Central Music School at Moscow State P.I. Tchaikovsky Conservatory, and the Rostov Academic Symphony Orchestra.
On March 20, we had the honor of participating in the event organized by our dear partner Cbonds.
Our Co-founder & CEO, Elena Yakovleva , and Board Member, Evgenia Sluchak , presented our initiatives and specifically our plans for the future of the foundation’s classical guitar initiatives, supported by Cbonds.
A heartfelt thank you to Serger Lyanin , Cbonds Founder, and Anna Volodina, Cbonds Leading Manager for their support!
A special appreciation to the talented musicians Vahan Sargsyan (classical guitar) and Ivane Esayan (violin)—their performances brought classical music into the financial world, a perfect match of art and finance!
Understanding intellectual property rights is crucial for every musician, and we’re excited to bring you an exclusive tutorial on this essential topic!
Led by Mariam Elibekyan, this session will provide valuable insights into protecting your creative work, understanding copyrights, and navigating the legal aspects of the music industry.
Stay tuned for the release-empower yourself with the knowledge every artist needs!
PanARMENIAN.Net covers Dmitry Masleev’s performance with the Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra and his masterclass, where he shared his expertise with young musicians and admired their dedication to the art.
Panorama.am covers Dmitry Masleev’s performance with the Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra in Yerevan and his masterclass, where he shared insights with young musicians and worked on pieces by Rachmaninoff, Schumann, and Prokofiev.
Check out the Armenpress article about the Armenian National Philharmonic and Dmitry Masleev’s Yerevan concert and Dmitry Masleev’s masterclass.
In this interview, the founders of Armenopole discussed their mission to connect the global Armenian community through their platform. They shared the inspiration behind creating a Global Calendar of Armenian Events and how it serves as a hub for Armenian culture worldwide.
They also reflected on the challenges of developing a global platform and how they transformed obstacles into opportunities.
“This collaboration not only helps raise awareness of Armenian culture and talent, but it also strengthens our network of Armenian artists, organizations, and communities worldwide. Together, we can reach more people, spark deeper engagement, and foster a sense of unity among Armenians, no matter where they live.”
-Talatinian Hagop, co-founder of the Armenopole
1-This partnership brings together two organizations dedicated to Armenian culture. What would you see as the sustainable and reasonable outcome of such collaboration? What impact can we create together?
This partnership between Primavera Foundation and Armenopole represents a powerful synergy dedicated to the promotion and preservation of Armenian culture. A sustainable and meaningful outcome of our collaboration would be the creation of a robust ecosystem where Armenian artists not only receive the support they need for their learning and artistic development but also gain broader visibility and engagement with Armenian communities worldwide.
Primavera Foundation plays a crucial role in nurturing Armenian musicians, providing them with resources, mentorship, and opportunities to grow. Armenopole, in turn, acts as an amplification platform, ensuring that these artists and their work reach a wider audience. By effectively communicating Primavera’s initiatives and sharing Armenian artists’ performances globally, we help bridge the gap between these musicians and the Armenian diaspora.
One of the greatest challenges today is connecting Armenian artists with the vast yet dispersed Armenian communities worldwide. Despite their strong cultural engagement, these communities often lack direct access to emerging Armenian talent. Through this collaboration, Armenopole can serve as a cultural hub, promoting Armenian artists, showcasing their work, and fostering a deeper sense of connection and cultural continuity between artists and audiences across the globe.
Together, we have the opportunity to create lasting impact—empowering Armenian musicians, strengthening cultural ties, and ensuring that Armenian art continues to thrive and inspire future generations.
2-Armenopole aims to connect the global Armenian community through its platform. What is the story of your platform? Can you share more about the inspiration behind creating a Global Calendar of Armenian Events?
Armenopole was born from a simple but eye-opening experience. In 2017, I was in New York for just a few days, and as I was walking through Washington Square Park, I later discovered that an Armenian cultural event had taken place there just moments before I arrived. I had unknowingly missed the opportunity to connect with my culture, my people, and a meaningful part of our heritage. This moment left me with an important question: if I, someone actively engaged with Armenian culture, could miss such an event, how many other Armenians worldwide were facing the same frustration? That’s when the idea for Armenopole was born—a platform that would ensure no Armenian would ever again say, “If only I had known.”
This vision is reinforced by the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation’s study on the Armenian diaspora, which highlights both our deep cultural ties and the challenges of staying connected across distances. The study recommended creating initiatives that help Armenians stay informed and actively participate in cultural life. Armenopole answers that call with its Global Calendar of Armenian Events, ensuring that no matter where an Armenian lives—whether in Los Angeles, Paris, Yerevan, or Buenos Aires—they can stay connected to their heritage.
This mission aligns perfectly with our collaboration with Primavera Foundation. While Primavera nurtures Armenian musicians, helping them develop and share their talent, Armenopole amplifies their voices, ensuring their art reaches Armenians all over the world. Together, we’re not just promoting culture; we’re creating a stronger, more connected Armenian world, where artists and audiences are united, and our heritage continues to thrive.
3-What challenges have you faced in developing a global platform like Armenopole, and how have you turned them into opportunities?
The major challenge was finding the time to develop and maintain the platform. As the founder, I’ve worn many hats—designing, developing, promoting, managing and maintaining the platform—while balancing personal and professional commitments. Time was, and still is, always limited, and each new feature or update meant late nights and long hours.
A significant challenge was also gaining the trust of both Armenian artists and organizations publishing their events, as well as the broader Armenian audience. Armenopole isn’t just a platform for events—it’s a targeted tool for promoting Armenian artists, as well as the initiatives and projects of Armenian organizations. While many organizations rely heavily on social media for promotion, Armenopole offers a more focused media space dedicated to the global Armenian community. Over time, we’ve built strong relationships within the community, making Armenopole a trusted resource for both the artists and the global Armenian community.
Then came the unexpected challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic. During this time, many Armenian events were canceled or postponed, leaving a void for cultural engagement. Instead of seeing this as a setback, we saw it as an opportunity to innovate. We conceptualized and launched the Armenian Music Festival—an online event featuring Armenian artists from around the world. This initiative helped keep the spirit of Armenian culture alive during a global crisis, while engaging a worldwide audience in a completely new and innovative way. It was a bold move that allowed us to stay connected and creative in the face of unprecedented challenges.
Ultimately, every challenge has been an opportunity for growth. Our mission of connecting the global Armenian community continues to drive us forward, and these experiences only refine our vision for the future.
4-How can young Armenian artists, musicians, or creators benefit from showcasing their events on Armenopole?
Young Armenian artists, musicians, and creators can easily benefit from showcasing their events on Armenopole. The process is simple and user-friendly. All they need to do is visit our website at www.armenopole.com, create an account (if it’s their first time), and begin posting their concerts, events, or creative projects directly on the platform. Once the event is reviewed and validated, it will be visible not only on our website and mobile application but also across our partner networks and social media channels. Additionally, each week, we send out newsletters tailored to different countries, ensuring that their events are seen by a global Armenian audience. This provides artists with an invaluable platform to reach their community, promote their work, and connect with fans and organizations worldwide.
5-How do partnerships, like the one with Primavera Foundation, contribute to Armenopole’s mission of connecting the global Armenian community?
Primavera Foundation’s dedication to supporting and nurturing Armenian artists aligns perfectly with Armenopole’s goal of providing a platform for promoting their work. By partnering with Primavera, we are able to amplify the voices of talented musicians and creators, giving them a global stage to share their art with a worldwide Armenian audience.
This collaboration not only helps raise awareness of Armenian culture and talent, but it also strengthens our network of Armenian artists, organizations, and communities worldwide. Together, we can reach more people, spark deeper engagement, and foster a sense of unity among Armenians, no matter where they live. As we continue to support initiatives like the Primavera Foundation’s efforts in developing and showcasing Armenian talent, we move closer to building a stronger, more connected global Armenian community, where culture, heritage, and creativity thrive.
On February 6 our piano curator and gold medalist of the 15th International Tchaikovsky Competition Dmitry Masleev and Astghik Dallakyan, Press Secretary of the National Philharmonic Orchestra of Armenia were the guests of Bari Luys on Armenia TV
Arm Public Tv, report covers Dmitry Masleev’s unforgettable concert at Aram Khachaturian Concert Hall, held with the Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra. The next day of the performance, the virtuoso pianist led a free master class, sharing his artistry and insights with young musicians and music lovers.
Watch video
Application deadline is February 5, 2025, 18:00
I WANT TO COME AS:
Venue: Yerevan, Aram Khachaturian Concert Hall
Date & Time: February 8, 2025, 10:00 – 17:00.
Language: Russian (Armenian and English on request)
Entrance: FREE for everyone, registration required
The detailed schedule will be available on Primavera Foundation Armenia’s social media before the event. The entrance to all events for the audience is free.
THE ACADEMY IS ORGANIZED BY THE PRIMAVERA FOUNDATION ARMENIA WITH THE SUPPORT OF THE ANPO
“Super-soloist” is the way France Musique introduced Dmitry Masleev when he made his debut with the Orchestre National de France at the beginning of 2020, playing the Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No.1, the work that helped launch his international career, when he won the 2015 Tchaikovsky International Piano Competition in Moscow. Dmitry’s solo recital debut at the Philharmonie de Paris in March 2022 confirmed that a new phenomenon has emerged among the most interesting pianists of our time: “What an artist! Everything is so simple, so ingenious, without the slightest attempt to explain the music,” wrote Alain Lompech (Bachtrack).
Dmitry’s return to La Roque d’Anthéron festival last summer was described in La Provence as “a magical evening where virtuosity merged with the innermost workings of the soul.” His recent festival appearances also include Klavierfestival Ruhr, Lucerne, Verbier, Montreux, Rheingau, Bad Kissingen, Bodensee, Bergamo and Brescia.
Dmitry’s orchestral collaborations include the Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra (Robert Trevino), Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France (Mikko Franck), Orchestre National de Lyon (Tan Dun), Bamberg Orchestra (Christoph Eschenbach), and Orquestra Cadaqués (David Robertson), Tampere Philharmonic (Joshua Weilerstein), Verbier Festival Orchestra (Gábor Takács-Nagy), and many others.
North America fell in love with Dmitry Masleev when he made his Carnegie Hall recital debut at the Isaac Stern Auditorium in January 2017 and repeated the same program at Toronto’s Koerner Hall in March. In 2018, he toured coast-to-coast with the Moscow State Symphony and Pavel Kogan. In the summer of 2022, he performed at the Newport Classical Festival and the Festival Napa Valley.
Annual visits to South America have established Dmitry as an audience favorite in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Chile, and Ecuador. This season Dmitry collaborates with Allegro HD, the main arts and culture TV network of the continent, to deliver music to his fans despite the travel restrictions.
Dmitry regularly performs in the Asian capitals, both with orchestras such as Seoul Philharmonic, New Japanese Philharmonic, and National Symphony Orchestra of Taiwan, as well as in recitals.
Born and raised in Ulan-Ude (a Siberian town between Lake Baikal and the Mongolian border), Dmitry was educated at the Moscow Conservatory in the class of Professor Mikhail Petukhov, and at the International Music Academy at Lake Como.
The record label Prima Classic (USA) and the Primavera Charitable Foundation have joined efforts to ensure the global and easily accessible presentation of Armenian music and music performed by Armenian artists.
A series of conversions for everyone, who wants to discover our beloved Armenia, and don’t know where to start.
“Kapan’s hall has excellent acoustics and a great piano. The concert in David Beck, right on the border, was unforgettable—I met wonderful children and teachers,” said Kozin. He also praised the audience from his earlier performances in Tavush.
Ruben Kozin, an Armenian pianist performed in Syunik as a part of the Primavera Foundation’s project Armenian Musicians for Armenian Communities, which brings classical music to regions around Armenia.
Ruben Kozin performed:
October 18, 2024, at Kapan’s State College of Arts
October 19, 2024, at David Beck’s Music School.
Learn more about what we do in the interview with Ruben Kozin by Aravot.am
Here’s our latest update from Ruben Kozin’s VIVA tour! On October 19, 2024, he performed in the village of David Beck near Kapan, captivating a new audience with his powerful and moving performance. This tour is part of the Foundation’s program Armenian Musicians For Armenian Communities, which aims to bring Armenian talents around Armenia to support Artsakh displaced people and everyone who helps them.
Over 30 people attended the concert, highlighting the importance of bringing cultural experiences to Armenian regions. We are thrilled and proud to continue our commitment to supporting Armenians!
The Primavera Foundation thanks Tatyana Oganesyan, Viva Foundation, and especially David Pogosyan for exceptional organizational support, which allows us to bring music to regions with limited access to such cultural experiences.
Marking another unforgettable event! On October 18, 2024, the Organ Hall of Kapan State College of Arts hosted Ruben Kozin for a performance as part of his tour with the VIVA Foundation. Ruben performed works by Beethoven, Chopin, and Babajanyan.
Thanks to your support, we’re able to continue bringing events like these to life. Help us keep the music playing – click SUPPORT now!
The Primavera Foundation extends its gratitude to the Tatyana Oganesyan, Viva Foundation, and especially David Pogosyan for exceptional organizational support, which allows us to bring music to regions with limited access to such cultural experiences.
We’re pleased to share another highlight of Ruben Kozin’s Tavush tour! On October 6, 2024, he visited Noyemberyan Music School with a stunning performance.
“The concert was great! Everyone enjoyed both Ruben and his performance. Everyone is looking forward to the next concert!” – Mariam Malkhasyan.
We would like to thank Mariam Malkhasyan and Karine Alexanyan for organizational support, which allows us to bring music to regions.
Stay tuned for more performances as we bring the joy of classical music to communities everywhere.
On October 5, 2024, Ruben Kozin performed at Ijevan Children’s Music School during his Tavush Tour, supporting Artsakh displaced people and everyone involved.
“The hall was flooded with the unique sounds of classical piano music. Thanks to Ruben Kozin for giving us these wonderful moments. We are grateful to the Primavera Foundation of Armenia for making that autumn day pleasant.” – Secondary Music School of Ijevan
We are striving to bring more art to the regions to inspire and bring joy to the regions. Don’t forget to SUPPORT this program to keep the music alive!
We are continuing our Regional program, which brings fresh new talents to the regions to support Artsakh displaced people and everyone involved. On October 4, 2024, pianist Ruben Kozin visited Dilijan State Art College, where he performed pieces by Beethoven, Chopin, and Babajanyan.
Stay tuned for upcoming performances as we continue to bring remarkable musical experiences to communities across Armenia. Your support is essential in creating these magic moments—click SUPPORT now. Every small donation makes a huge difference!
27 September marks the second anniversary of the foundation in Armenia! Two years of dedication, fulfillment, and our endless love for Armenia 🇦🇲
There were over 6,100 people in the audience, 56 events, and 157 Educational Academy master classes across Armenia. High-end international projects were also held in Yerevan, as was the charity classical music program for the remote village community.
We are honored to receive your support and proud of the trust of our donors and partners! We are truly thankful for the dedication to our esteemed Board, Artistic Council members, curators, and mentors.
Our deepest gratitude goes to the foundation team. With their unwavering dedication and tireless efforts, they have been instrumental in our mission to find the best possible solutions for Armenian musicians and their teachers. We are truly grateful for their hard work and commitment.
We are beyond excited to receive dozens of your warm messages, which we will proudly share in the coming days!
We are honored to continue our performances for the displaced people of Artsakh and the local community members in Armenian regions.
We are delighted to present young Armenian pianist Ruben Kozin, who is our Piano program fellow.
Ruben applied to Dmitry Masleev’s piano master classes in Yerevan and later was invited to perform at the Visages d’Arménie Festival in France.
FREE ENTRANCE CONCERT
Date & Time: October, 4 at 15:00
Venue: Dilijan State Art College, Kalinin St. 58
Admission: FREE for everyone
L. van Beethoven: Sonata No. 31, Op. 110
F. Chopin: Sonata No. 2 in B-flat minor, Op. 35
F. Chopin: Etudes No. 6-12, Op. 10,
A. Babajanyan: Elegy
Ruben Kozin was born in 1997. When he was only 5 years old, he entered music school. At the age of 12, Ruben changed to the Central Music School at the P.I. Tchaikovsky Moscow State Conservatory studying piano with Natalia Trull, professor of the Conservatory. In 2020 Ruben graduated from Moscow State P.I. Tchaikovsky Conservatory.
In Russia, Ruben Kozin has performed at the Great and the Small Rachmaninov Halls of the Moscow State Conservatory, at the Concert Hall of the Russian State Gnessin Academy of Music, the Moscow International House of Music and at the Concert Hall of the Moscow Museum of Musical Culture. Furthermore, Ruben has given concerts in Armenia, Croatia, Poland, Lithuania, Italy, Malta, Kazakhstan, Denmark, Germany, Belgium and Belarus.
Ruben has already achieved several international competitions. In May 2016, he won the 3rd prize at the International Piano Competition FVG (Sacile, Italy), and in September 2016 the 3rd prize at the Andre Dumortier International Piano Competition (Leuze-en-Hainaut, Belgium).
In April 2017 Ruben won the 2nd prize at the Malta International Piano Competition, in August 2017 he gained the 2nd prize at the First International Eurasian Music Games in Astana, Kazakhstan. At the VIII International Piano Competition in Almaty (Kazakhstan), he won in November 2017 the 2nd prize.
In June 2023 he became a finalist of the 19th Aram Khachaturian International competition in Yerevan.
Ruben took part in master classes of Akiko Ebi, Ronan O’Hora, Youngho Kim, Jenny Zaharieva, Eugen Indjic, Andrea Bonatta, Kevin Kenner, Dmitry Masleev, Pascal Nemirovski, and Vanessa Latarche.
His vast repertoire already includes more than 15 piano concertos from different periods. Ruben performed with the Armenian State Symphony Orchestra, the National Chamber Orchestra of Armenia, the Orchestra of the Central Music School at Moscow State P.I. Tchaikovsky Conservatory, and the Rostov Academic Symphony Orchestra.
We are honored to continue our performances for the displaced people of Artsakh and the local community members in Armenian regions.
We are delighted to present young Armenian pianist Ruben Kozin, who is our Piano program fellow.
Ruben applied to Dmitry Masleev’s piano master classes in Yerevan and later was invited to perform at the Visages d’Arménie Festival in France.
FREE ENTRANCE CONCERT
Date & Time: October, 5 at 15:00
Venue: Ijevan Children’s Music School, 1 Melibekyan St.
Admission: FREE for everyone
L. van Beethoven: Sonata No. 31, Op. 110
F. Chopin: Sonata No. 2 in B-flat minor, Op. 35
F. Chopin: Etudes No. 6-12, Op. 10,
A. Babajanyan: Elegy
Ruben Kozin was born in 1997. When he was only 5 years old, he entered music school. At the age of 12, Ruben changed to the Central Music School at the P.I. Tchaikovsky Moscow State Conservatory studying piano with Natalia Trull, professor of the Conservatory. In 2020 Ruben graduated from Moscow State P.I. Tchaikovsky Conservatory.
In Russia, Ruben Kozin has performed at the Great and the Small Rachmaninov Halls of the Moscow State Conservatory, at the Concert Hall of the Russian State Gnessin Academy of Music, the Moscow International House of Music and at the Concert Hall of the Moscow Museum of Musical Culture. Furthermore, Ruben has given concerts in Armenia, Croatia, Poland, Lithuania, Italy, Malta, Kazakhstan, Denmark, Germany, Belgium and Belarus.
Ruben has already achieved several international competitions. In May 2016, he won the 3rd prize at the International Piano Competition FVG (Sacile, Italy), and in September 2016 the 3rd prize at the Andre Dumortier International Piano Competition (Leuze-en-Hainaut, Belgium).
In April 2017 Ruben won the 2nd prize at the Malta International Piano Competition, in August 2017 he gained the 2nd prize at the First International Eurasian Music Games in Astana, Kazakhstan. At the VIII International Piano Competition in Almaty (Kazakhstan), he won in November 2017 the 2nd prize.
In June 2023 he became a finalist of the 19th Aram Khachaturian International competition in Yerevan.
Ruben took part in master classes of Akiko Ebi, Ronan O’Hora, Youngho Kim, Jenny Zaharieva, Eugen Indjic, Andrea Bonatta, Kevin Kenner, Dmitry Masleev, Pascal Nemirovski, and Vanessa Latarche.
His vast repertoire already includes more than 15 piano concertos from different periods. Ruben performed with the Armenian State Symphony Orchestra, the National Chamber Orchestra of Armenia, the Orchestra of the Central Music School at Moscow State P.I. Tchaikovsky Conservatory, and the Rostov Academic Symphony Orchestra.
We are honored to continue our performances for the displaced people of Artsakh and the local community members in Armenian regions.
We are delighted to present young Armenian pianist Ruben Kozin, who is our Piano program fellow.
Ruben applied to Dmitry Masleev’s piano master classes in Yerevan and later was invited to perform at the Visages d’Arménie Festival in France.
FREE ENTRANCE CONCERT
Date & Time: October, 6 at 15:00
Venue: Noyemberyan Music School, Barekamutyan 6
Admission: FREE for everyone
L. van Beethoven: Sonata No. 31, Op. 110
F. Chopin: Sonata No. 2 in B-flat minor, Op. 35
F. Chopin: Etudes No. 6-12, Op. 10,
A. Babajanyan: Elegy
Ruben Kozin was born in 1997. When he was only 5 years old, he entered music school. At the age of 12, Ruben changed to the Central Music School at the P.I. Tchaikovsky Moscow State Conservatory studying piano with Natalia Trull, professor of the Conservatory. In 2020 Ruben graduated from Moscow State P.I. Tchaikovsky Conservatory.
In Russia, Ruben Kozin has performed at the Great and the Small Rachmaninov Halls of the Moscow State Conservatory, at the Concert Hall of the Russian State Gnessin Academy of Music, the Moscow International House of Music and at the Concert Hall of the Moscow Museum of Musical Culture. Furthermore, Ruben has given concerts in Armenia, Croatia, Poland, Lithuania, Italy, Malta, Kazakhstan, Denmark, Germany, Belgium and Belarus.
Ruben has already achieved several international competitions. In May 2016, he won the 3rd prize at the International Piano Competition FVG (Sacile, Italy), and in September 2016 the 3rd prize at the Andre Dumortier International Piano Competition (Leuze-en-Hainaut, Belgium).
In April 2017 Ruben won the 2nd prize at the Malta International Piano Competition, in August 2017 he gained the 2nd prize at the First International Eurasian Music Games in Astana, Kazakhstan. At the VIII International Piano Competition in Almaty (Kazakhstan), he won in November 2017 the 2nd prize.
In June 2023 he became a finalist of the 19th Aram Khachaturian International competition in Yerevan.
Ruben took part in master classes of Akiko Ebi, Ronan O’Hora, Youngho Kim, Jenny Zaharieva, Eugen Indjic, Andrea Bonatta, Kevin Kenner, Dmitry Masleev, Pascal Nemirovski, and Vanessa Latarche.
His vast repertoire already includes more than 15 piano concertos from different periods. Ruben performed with the Armenian State Symphony Orchestra, the National Chamber Orchestra of Armenia, the Orchestra of the Central Music School at Moscow State P.I. Tchaikovsky Conservatory, and the Rostov Academic Symphony Orchestra.
We are honored to continue our collaboration with the Viva Foundation. Together we organize cultural events for the displaced people of Artsakh and the local community members in Armenian regions.
We are delighted to present young Armenian pianist Ruben Kozin, who is our Piano program fellow.
Ruben applied to Dmitry Masleev’s piano master classes in Yerevan and later was invited to perform at the Visages d’Arménie Festival in France.
And please support the Viva Foundation 🙏🏻❤️.
Our gratitude to Tatyana Oganesyan & David Pogosyan.
FREE ENTRANCE CONCERT
Date & Time: October, 18 at 18:00
Venue: The Organ Hall of Kapan, State College of Arts
Admission: FREE for everyone
L. van Beethoven: Sonata No. 31, Op. 110
F. Chopin: Sonata No. 2 in B-flat minor, Op. 35
F. Chopin: Etudes No. 6-12, Op. 10,
A. Babajanyan: Elegy
Ruben Kozin was born in 1997. When he was only 5 years old, he entered music school. At the age of 12, Ruben changed to the Central Music School at the P.I. Tchaikovsky Moscow State Conservatory studying piano with Natalia Trull, professor of the Conservatory. In 2020 Ruben graduated from Moscow State P.I. Tchaikovsky Conservatory.
In Russia, Ruben Kozin has performed at the Great and the Small Rachmaninov Halls of the Moscow State Conservatory, at the Concert Hall of the Russian State Gnessin Academy of Music, the Moscow International House of Music and at the Concert Hall of the Moscow Museum of Musical Culture. Furthermore, Ruben has given concerts in Armenia, Croatia, Poland, Lithuania, Italy, Malta, Kazakhstan, Denmark, Germany, Belgium and Belarus.
Ruben has already achieved several international competitions. In May 2016, he won the 3rd prize at the International Piano Competition FVG (Sacile, Italy), and in September 2016 the 3rd prize at the Andre Dumortier International Piano Competition (Leuze-en-Hainaut, Belgium).
In April 2017 Ruben won the 2nd prize at the Malta International Piano Competition, in August 2017 he gained the 2nd prize at the First International Eurasian Music Games in Astana, Kazakhstan. At the VIII International Piano Competition in Almaty (Kazakhstan), he won in November 2017 the 2nd prize.
In June 2023 he became a finalist of the 19th Aram Khachaturian International competition in Yerevan.
Ruben took part in master classes of Akiko Ebi, Ronan O’Hora, Youngho Kim, Jenny Zaharieva, Eugen Indjic, Andrea Bonatta, Kevin Kenner, Dmitry Masleev, Pascal Nemirovski, and Vanessa Latarche.
His vast repertoire already includes more than 15 piano concertos from different periods. Ruben performed with the Armenian State Symphony Orchestra, the National Chamber Orchestra of Armenia, the Orchestra of the Central Music School at Moscow State P.I. Tchaikovsky Conservatory, and the Rostov Academic Symphony Orchestra.
We are honored to continue our collaboration with the Viva Foundation. Together we organize cultural events for the displaced people of Artsakh and the local community members in Armenian regions.
We are delighted to present young Armenian pianist Ruben Kozin, who is our Piano program fellow.
Ruben applied to Dmitry Masleev’s piano master classes in Yerevan and later was invited to perform at the Visages d’Arménie Festival in France.
And please support the Viva Foundation 🙏🏻❤️.
Our gratitude to Tatyana Oganesyan & David Pogosyan.
FREE ENTRANCE CONCERT
Date & Time: October, 19 at 15:00
Venue: Syunik, Kapan, Village “David Beck”
Admission: FREE for everyone
L. van Beethoven: Sonata No. 31, Op. 110
F. Chopin: Sonata No. 2 in B-flat minor, Op. 35
F. Chopin: Etudes No. 6-12, Op. 10,
A. Babajanyan: Elegy
Ruben Kozin was born in 1997. When he was only 5 years old, he entered music school. At the age of 12, Ruben changed to the Central Music School at the P.I. Tchaikovsky Moscow State Conservatory studying piano with Natalia Trull, professor of the Conservatory. In 2020 Ruben graduated from Moscow State P.I. Tchaikovsky Conservatory.
In Russia, Ruben Kozin has performed at the Great and the Small Rachmaninov Halls of the Moscow State Conservatory, at the Concert Hall of the Russian State Gnessin Academy of Music, the Moscow International House of Music and at the Concert Hall of the Moscow Museum of Musical Culture. Furthermore, Ruben has given concerts in Armenia, Croatia, Poland, Lithuania, Italy, Malta, Kazakhstan, Denmark, Germany, Belgium and Belarus.
Ruben has already achieved several international competitions. In May 2016, he won the 3rd prize at the International Piano Competition FVG (Sacile, Italy), and in September 2016 the 3rd prize at the Andre Dumortier International Piano Competition (Leuze-en-Hainaut, Belgium).
In April 2017 Ruben won the 2nd prize at the Malta International Piano Competition, in August 2017 he gained the 2nd prize at the First International Eurasian Music Games in Astana, Kazakhstan. At the VIII International Piano Competition in Almaty (Kazakhstan), he won in November 2017 the 2nd prize.
In June 2023 he became a finalist of the 19th Aram Khachaturian International competition in Yerevan.
Ruben took part in master classes of Akiko Ebi, Ronan O’Hora, Youngho Kim, Jenny Zaharieva, Eugen Indjic, Andrea Bonatta, Kevin Kenner, Dmitry Masleev, Pascal Nemirovski, and Vanessa Latarche.
His vast repertoire already includes more than 15 piano concertos from different periods. Ruben performed with the Armenian State Symphony Orchestra, the National Chamber Orchestra of Armenia, the Orchestra of the Central Music School at Moscow State P.I. Tchaikovsky Conservatory, and the Rostov Academic Symphony Orchestra.
2-6 July, 2024, Yerevan, Aram Khachaturian Concert Hall
The Academy offers an opportunity for young conductors to improve their skills and gain experience under the guidance of the world-leading conductor, the Chairman of the Primavera Foundation Artistic Council maestro Vasily Petrenko. The Academy invites young conductors from all over the world to Armenia, therefore bringing Yerevan to the spotlight of classical music aficionados and professionals.
Four-day intensive educational program, aimed at improving the musical, social, and mental skills essential for a conductor’s career, with a final gala evening bringing Conductors Academy students to conduct a concert on the stage!
Catch up on the latest news about Vasily Petrenko’s Academy For Conductors from Armenia’s 1st TV Channel, featuring highlights from the unique event.
The Academy is co-produced by the Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra (Artistic Director & Chief Conductor Eduard Topchjan) and the Primavera Foundation Armenia.
“It is essential for young conductors to work with an orchestra because nothing can replace this face-to-face communication. Through this process, conductors improve their professional skills, and I am delighted that this opportunity is created for them in Armenia so that they can discover this wonderful country.” – Maestro Vasily Petrenko
The Academy is co-produced by the Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra (Artistic Director & Chief Conductor Eduard Topchjan) and the Primavera Foundation Armenia.
Delve into Cultural.am reportage on how Vasily Petrenko’s Academy For Conductors is shaping the future of classical music in Armenia.
The Academy is co-produced by the Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra (Artistic Director & Chief Conductor Eduard Topchjan) and the Primavera Foundation Armenia.
Watch as the Music Director of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra of London conductor and Chairman of the Artistic Council of Primavera Foundation Vasily Petrenko shares his expertise in Yerevan through the unique Vasily Petrenko’s Academy For Conductors.
The Academy is co-produced by the Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra (Artistic Director & Chief Conductor Eduard Topchjan) and the Primavera Foundation Armenia.
Check out the Shoghakat TV report featuring Vasily Petrenko’s Academy For Conductors in Armenia.
The Academy is co-produced by the Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra (Artistic Director & Chief Conductor Eduard Topchjan) and the Primavera Foundation Armenia.
In the Panorama TV report, Vasily Petrenko expresses his enthusiasm for working with young conductors worldwide. He highlights the importance of real-time training with a symphony orchestra. Mr. Petrenko emphasizes the significance of holding the academy in Armenia, a country with a rich cultural heritage and musical traditions.
The Academy is co-produced by the Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra (Artistic Director & Chief Conductor Eduard Topchjan) and the Primavera Foundation Armenia.
On July 5th, 2004, as a part of the Academy for Conductors educational program, maestro Vasily Petrenko shared his professional experience and expertise which goes far beyond working with an orchestra on stage.
His workshop The Secrets of a Conductor Job Beyond Music was an opportunity for the Academy participants to ask career-related questions to Maestro. The questions covered such topics as dealing with cultural differences and language barriers, working with management, as well as the mindset of a conductor among others. Maestro Petrenko shared his extensive experience and insights, offering valuable advice on the professional, leadership, and emotional aspects of conducting a job.
With the generous permission of maestro Petrenko, we filmed the workshop. Subscribe to our YouTube Channel not to miss a beat!
More photos here
Explore the details about maestro Vasily Petrenko’s Academy For Conductors. Info Port brings you the latest updates and participants’ feedback.
The Academy is co-produced by the Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra (Artistic Director & Chief Conductor Eduard Topchjan) and the Primavera Foundation Armenia.
Tune in to hear Arm Radio’s coverage of maestro Vasily Petrenko’s Academy For Conductors in Armenia.
The Academy is co-produced by the Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra (Artistic Director & Chief Conductor Eduard Topchjan) and the Primavera Foundation Armenia.
Follow the journey of young conductors as they learn from the great maestro Vasily Petrenko. Get insights and exclusive details about this unique academy with Arminfo.
The Academy is co-produced by the Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra (Artistic Director & Chief Conductor Eduard Topchjan) and the Primavera Foundation Armenia.
For the first time in Armenia, a unique event took place: Vasily Petrenko’s Academy For Conductors, an educational initiative of the internationally renowned conductor. The Academy co-organizers are the Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra (Artistic Director & Chief Conductor Eduard Topchjan) and the Primavera Foundation of Armenia.
Check out the Armenpress article and dive into the details of the first ever maestro Vasily Petrenko’s Academy For Conductors.
The Academy is co-produced by the Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra (Artistic Director & Chief Conductor Eduard Topchjan) and the Primavera Foundation Armenia.
Check out the reportage about Vasily Petrenko’s Academy for conductors in Yerevan! The Academy, organized in Armenia for the first time, aims to nurture the next generation of conductors under the guidance of the internationally acclaimed maestro Vasily Petrenko.
The Academy is co-produced by the Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra (Artistic Director & Chief Conductor Eduard Topchjan) and the Primavera Foundation Armenia.
Free News TV offers an extensive look at Vasily Petrenko’s Academy For Conductors, featuring interviews with Eduard Topchjan, the Artistic Director & Chief Conductor of the Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra, the Academy co-producing partner, and Vasily Petrenko, the Music director of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Chairman of the Artistic Council of the Primavera Foundation.
Arman Padaryan, Chief Producer of the National Philharmonic Orchestra of Armenia and Elena Yakovleva, Co-founder of the Primavera Foundation discuss the importance of Vasily Petrenko’s Academy For Conductors, its impact on young conductors, and the unique opportunities it offers to the participants, and Armenia. They also provide insights into the goals of the Academy and the collaborative efforts involved in bringing this world-prestigious event to Armenia.
The Academy is co-produced by the Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra (Artistic Director & Chief Conductor Eduard Topchjan) and the Primavera Foundation Armenia.
Golos Armenii’s review offers a deep dive into the unique blend of mastery and inspiration at Vasily Petrenko’s Academy For Conductors at the Aram Khachaturian Concert Hall in Yerevan.
The Academy is co-produced by the Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra (Artistic Director & Chief Conductor Eduard Topchjan) and the Primavera Foundation Armenia.
Tune into an engaging interview with the Primavera Foundation Armenia Co-founder & Executive director Elena Yakovleva on Radio Van, as she shares insights and the story behind the first Vasily Petrenko’s Academy For Conductors in Armenia as well as the foundation results in 2023/24 and plans for 2024/25 educational years.
News Hub covers the first day of Vasily Petrenko’s Academy For Conductors, where conductors aged 25 to 35 are working with the Academy orchestra under the guidance of maestro Vasily Petrenko.
The Academy is co-produced by the Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra (Artistic Director & Chief Conductor Eduard Topchjan) and the Primavera Foundation Armenia.
Ararat News brings a report on the diverse talents gathering at Vasily Petrenko’s Academy For Conductors in Armenia, creating a symphony of potential under the guidance of one of the world’s leading conductors.
The Academy is co-produced by the Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra (Artistic Director & Chief Conductor Eduard Topchjan) and the Primavera Foundation Armenia.
Zarkerak Lratvakan delves into the artistry and mastery being developed at Vasily Petrenko’s Academy For Conductors, celebrating the new wave of future maestros.
The Academy is co-produced by the Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra (Artistic Director & Chief Conductor Eduard Topchjan) and the Primavera Foundation Armenia.
1st TV Channel Lurer captures the essence of Vasily Petrenko’s Academy For Conductors, where the symphony is in motion, and young talents improve their skills and reflect on their careers with the support of the world-renowned maestro.
The Academy is co-produced by the Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra (Artistic Director & Chief Conductor Eduard Topchjan) and the Primavera Foundation Armenia.
Description: News Book reports on the first ever Vasily Petrenko’s Academy For Conductors in Armenia, charting the course for the next wave of conducting stars.
The Academy is co-produced by the Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra (Artistic Director & Chief Conductor Eduard Topchjan) and the Primavera Foundation Armenia.
Factor.am provides a look at Vasily Petrenko’s Academy For Conductors, where the baton is more than a tool — it’s a key to new musical heights.
The Academy is co-produced by the Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra (Artistic Director & Chief Conductor Eduard Topchjan) and the Primavera Foundation Armenia.
Info Port dives into the unique opportunities at Vasily Petrenko’s Academy For Conductors, spotlighting the story behind the project.
The Academy is co-produced by the Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra (Artistic Director & Chief Conductor Eduard Topchjan) and the Primavera Foundation Armenia.
Shant News shares insights about Vasily Petrenko’s Academy For Conductors’ first day, capturing the magic of music and mentorship from the world-leading maestro.
The Academy is co-produced by the Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra (Artistic Director & Chief Conductor Eduard Topchjan) and the Primavera Foundation Armenia.
ARMEDU.AM highlights the educational impact of Vasily Petrenko’s Academy For Conductors, where the idea of conductors’ education in Armenia comes true.
The Academy is co-produced by the Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra (Artistic Director & Chief Conductor Eduard Topchjan) and the Primavera Foundation Armenia.
Shabat.am covers the exciting start of Vasily Petrenko’s unique Academy For Conductors in Yerevan.
The Academy is co-produced by the Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra (Artistic Director & Chief Conductor Eduard Topchjan) and the Primavera Foundation Armenia.
Operativ.am gives us the latest update on Vasily Petrenko’s Academy For Conductors in Armenia, where future conductors learn from the best.
The Academy is co-produced by the Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra (Artistic Director & Chief Conductor Eduard Topchjan) and the Primavera Foundation Armenia.
The Academy is co-produced by the Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra (Artistic Director & Chief Conductor Eduard Topchjan) and the Primavera Foundation Armenia.
Your commitment to showcasing musical and cultural events inspires young musicians and attracts new audiences
Co-organized by the Primavera Foundation Armenia and the Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra (Artistic Director & Chief Conductor Eduard Topchjan).
From July 2 to 6, five young conductors Ziwei Ma (China), Karen Amir Latifi (Iran/Armenia), Roman Reznik (Norway/Ukraine), Jorge Vazquez (Mexico), and Nikolai Mazaev (Russia) came together in Yerevan for an intensive four-day educational program at the Aram Khachaturian Concert Hall. Under the guidance of Vasily Petrenko, they worked on their professional, artistic, social, and emotional skills essential for a successful conductor’s career.
Maestro Petrenko met the Academy participants before their first encounter with the Academy Orchestra. The Academy program for today includes Beethoven’s 5th and 7th symphonies, Brahms’ 1st Symphony, and Stravinsky’s Firebird Suite.
The Academy program included:
– Daily 30-minute sessions with the Academy orchestra
– Individual in-person consultations with Maestro Petrenko after each orchestral session
– Workshop on the secrets of a conductor’s job beyond music by Maestro Vasily Petrenko
The four-day learning journey resulted in a grand gala concert at the Aram Khachaturian Concert Hall, where all five participants led the orchestra on stage in front of over 600 people in the audience.
On June 27, 19:00, at the Arno Babajanyan Concert Hall, the participants of the Chamber Music School performed works by Haydn, Beethoven, Schwertberger, Glière, Grieg, Poulenc, and de Falla among others.
Our artistic, chamber music school students:
Ani Gabrielyan (violin)
Anush Hakobyan (cello)
Narek Akopian (piano)
Viktorya Ulikhanyan (violin)
Lyana Ulikhanyan (cello)
Aleksandra Mnatsakanyan (piano)
Shushan Arevshatyan (piano)
Suren Babayan (piano)
Araks Ashjian (piano)
Lilit Sargsyan (classical guitar)
Elen Mamikonyan (violin)
Arusyak Arevshatyan (violin)
Leo Hamza (classical guitar)
Special guest – AVETIS string quartet (Armenia): Anush Nikogosyan (violin), Karmen Tosunyan (violin), Hayk Ter-Hovhannisyan (viola), and Mikayel Navasardyan (cello). AVETIS performed the Armenian Premiere of Arman Gushchyan’s (b. 1981) Forever Is Composed of Nows for the string quartet.
The 1st Yerevan Chamber Music School by pianist Irina Krasotina, professor of Tchaikovsky Moscow State Conservatory, Ph.D. in Art History, and Master of Spanish Music was organized in June 2024 in Yerevan. A week-long intensive educational process resulted in a magnificent gala concert on June 27 at the Arno Babajanyan concert hall in Yerevan.
Organized by the Primavera Foundation of Armenia in collaboration with the Arno Babajanyan concert hall, the summer school courses and concert admission were free both for Armenian musicians and the gala concert audience.
During a week Professor Krasotina conducted one-on-one sessions with chamber ensembles formed by the students from Yerevan Tchaikovsky Music Specialized Secondary School, Romanos Melikyan State Music College, and the Komitas State Conservatory.
The gala concert featured young musicians performing works by Haydn, Beethoven, Schwertberger, Glière, Grieg, Poulenc, and de Falla, as well as the “Arevi Mechanika” trio composed (and performed!) by 15-years old Armenian violinist and composer Victoria Ulikhanyan. The special guest, renowned AVETIS string quartet performed the Armenian premiere of the piece by living Armenian composer Arman Ghushchyan (b.1981) Forever Is Composed of Nows.
Professor Krasotina praised the musicians’ hard work and progress, highlighting the importance of chamber ensembles in fostering cooperation, trust, and social & professional ties. The summer school aims to become an annual event.
Irina Krasotina, a Master of Spanish music, and PhD in Art History, heads the Chamber Music Educational program at the Primavera Foundation of Armenia. This was her second visit to Armenia; she previously held master classes in September 2023.
Your commitment to showcasing musical and cultural events inspires young musicians and attracts new audiences
Our Chamber Music Program curator, Professor of Moscow State Conservatory, Ph.D. in Art History, and Master of Spanish Music – Irina Krasotina gave a lecture about Spanish Music and Chamber Ensemble Music, followed by a piano master class with a Spanish repertoire, a piece Cantos de España (Oriental, Seguidillas) by Albeniz.
We have filmed everything and share it soon on our YouTube Channel! Don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel.
The final jury: Nune Badalyan (Armenia), Nikita Nedelko (Russia), Valeria Galimova (Germany/Russia), Vahan Sargsyan (Armenia), Henrik Melikyan (Armenia).
Congratulations to the laureates of the 1st Primavera Foundation Armenia Classical Guitar Competition:
I Age Category
3rd place – Arame Melik-Haykazyan
II Age Category
4rd place – Aram Ghazaryan
3rd place – Edgar Gevorgyan
2nd place (shared) – Menua Melik-Haykazyan / Artak Vardapetyan
1st place – Leo Hamza
III Age Category
3rd place – Bagrat Sargsyan
2nd place – Margo Ayvazyan
1st place – Arthur Kirakosyan
Grand Prix – Roland Baghdasaryan
Well done to Roland’s teacher, Ms. Valeria Shakhikyan, who received a Certificate of Appreciation and a Financial Grant.
A huge shoutout to the competition sponsors and partners: CBonds, D’Addario & Co., Yamaha Music Shop Armenia, and Mr Vladimir Abramov for their invaluable support. Special thanks to Arno Babajanyan Concert Hall for hosting our events.
Check the latest interview with our experts on Bari Luys TV show sharing details on the 1st Classical Guitar Competition.
Soon on our YouTube Channel! We had a whole day of filming educational material for classical guitar students and their teachers with our mentors Valeria Galimova, Nikita Nedelko, and Vahan Sargsyan. We also asked a few questions about her approach to the teaching process to our guitar competition jury chair professor Nune Badalyan.
THE ACADEMY IS ORGANIZED BY THE PRIMAVERA FOUNDATION ARMENIA WITH THE SUPPORT OF THE ARNO BABAJANYAN CONCERT HALL
21 JUNE, Friday
09:30 – Professor Krasotina Educational
Videos Recording
Free entrance for the audience.
Arno Babajanyan Concert Hall,
2 Abovyan Street
22-26 JUNE
10:00 – Chamber Music Summer School
10:00 – 13:00 Master classes
13:00 – 14:00 Break
14:00 – 17:00 Master classes
Arno Babajanyan Concert Hall,
2 Abovyan Street
27 JUNE, Friday
19:00 – CLOSING GALA CONCERT
Special Guest – AVETIS String Quartet:
Anush Nikogosyan, violin
Karmen Tosunyan, violin
Hayk Ter-Hovhannisyan, viola
Mikayel Navasardyan, cello
Arman Gushchyan (b. 1981)
Forever Is Composed of Nows for string quartet
Armenian Premier
FREE ENTRANCE
Arno Babajanyan Concert Hall,
2 Abovyan Street
The detailed schedule will be available on Primavera Foundation Armenia’s social media starting June 10, 2024. The entrance to all events for the audience is free.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
Applications are collected through an open call, student selection, and ensemble formation.
During seven days of daily work with Professor Krasotina in the ensemble, you master the performance skills and work on the assigned piece, with the reporting concert at the end.
The learning journey for an active participant:
A maximum of FIVE ensembles will be selected. Those applicants who are not selected as active participants will be able to come to the Summer School as an audience for free.
Before filling in the application please make sure that you meet the following requirements:
Successful applicants will be notified by email and phone, and announced on the Primavera Foundation Armenia social media profiles.
Check if you fit the criteria and apply!
Age
From 12 to 22 y.o.
Repertoire We accept all applications from all instruments if an applicant meets the requirements below. The number of places is limited. After the successful applicants’ announcement, Prof. Krasotina will form the ensembles for the summer school.
The repertoire will be announced along with the successful applicants’ announcements and the score for every ensemble will be provided by the Primavera Foundation.
Application Procedure
Before submitting your application, please ensure you have the following at your disposal:
1. Contact details of your teacher.
2. An open-to-everyone link of your recent performance on any social media platform, such as YouTube, Facebook, or Instagram.
3. Copy of the passport/birth certificate.
Successful applicants will be notified by email and announced on the Primavera Foundation Armenia social media profiles on June 10, 2024.
| 7 June, Friday | Applications Deadline (by 18:00 Yerevan time) |
| 10 June, Monday | Active participants Announcement |
| 21 June, Friday | Open Educational Videos Recording |
| 22-26 June | Chamber Music Summer School |
| 27 June, Thursday | Chamber Music Summer School Final Concert – FREE ENTRANCE |
By applying you accept and agree with the Summer School Terms and Conditions and give permission to proceed, store and use the personal information, photos and videos for the technical documentation, official website, and social media announcements.
Application fee: FREE for Armenian citizens. The application fee for non-Armenian citizens is $30.
Travel expenses: The successful applicants independently cover their travel expenses and accommodation costs. The Primavera Foundation Armenia is not responsible for any costs associated with this journey.
HOW TO PAY AN APPLICATION FEE:
IRINA KRASOTINA
Professor of the Moscow State Conservatory, Ph.D. in Art History, a Master of Spanish Music
Ms. Krasotina felt her passion for classical music when she was six and started her piano studies at seven. Her international performing career was launched after numerous Russian and international piano competitions. She was a laureate of international competitions in Italy (Senigallia, 1992; Ragusa, 1993; Trani, 1997), E. Granados Barcelona International Competition (Spain, 2001), A. Roussel Sofia International Competition (Bulgaria, 1996), D. Lipatti Bucharest International Competition (Romania, 1997) among the others. In many of those, she later served as a jury member.
Irina Krasotina holds the Professor position at the P.I. Tchaikovsky Moscow State Conservatory and a Ph.D. in Art History. She is the Head of the Ensemble Department at Ippolitov-Ivanov State Musical Pedagogical Institute. Ms. Krasotina also received a Master of Spanish Music degree from the Marshall Academy (Barcelona), a class of the legendary Spanish pianist Alicia de Larrocha.
Among her recent projects are the publication of her new “Issues of Ensemble Performance” monography as long as the launch, together with Mr. Vasily Pasetchnik, the new Ensemble chamber music project where she also holds the Artistic Director position. The Ensemble project explores the history of cultural connections between European countries through chamber music. It aims to reveal fascinating historical details supported by academic research and to offer insights into the mutual inspiration that contributed significantly to the development of chamber music.
Irina Krasotina regularly performs recitals in Russia and abroad. She collaborated with conductor Felix Korobov, as well as with Evgeny Petrov (clarinet), Nikita Boriso-Glebsky (violin), Alexander Ramm (cello), Artyom Dervoed (classical guitar), Stanislav Davydov (horn), Philipp Nodel (oboe), to mention a few.
Ms. Krasotina has been teaching since 2003. Her students are the laureates and winners of the prestigious International Chamber Ensemble Competitions in Russia, Spain, and the UK. She is also the author of 18 tutorials and treatises focused on ensemble performance studies, Spanish music, “Chamber Ensemble” discipline educational programs, and publications based on her Enrique Granados. Piano Heritage dissertation. She is a speaker and an organizer of several international conferences dedicated to Spanish music and modern music education in Russia and abroad issues.
The Semifinals jury: Valeria Galimova (Germany/Russia) and Nikita Nedelko (Russia).
Ten participants, aged from nine to 17, performed works by Villa-Lobos, Tiomkin, Yevtushenko, Carulli, Badalyan, Sanz, Piazzolla, Barrios, and Dumond at the Arno Babajanyan Concert Hall.
Congratulations to Roland Baghdasaryan for making it to the first place!
Well done to his teacher, Ms. Valeria Shakhikyan, who received a Certificate of Appreciation and a 50,000 AMD prize.
Thank you to our partners CBonds, D’Addario & Co., Yamaha Music Shop Armenia, and Mr. Vladimir Abramov for their support. And a big thanks to the Arno Babajanyan Concert Hall for their brilliant partnership.
More photos and highlights from the semifinals can be found here >
Our first-ever competition allowed young Armenian artists to explore and understand their level, and also to meet other musicians and win prizes.
Semi-final winners: Bagrat Sargsyan and Artak Vardapetyan.A special shoutout to their teacher Mr. Artak Madatyan, who received Certificates of Appreciation and a prize of 50,000 AMD. Well done!
The Semifinals jury: Valeria Galimova (Germany/Russia) and Nikita Nedelko (Russia).
Thanks to our partners CBonds, D’Addario & Co., Yamaha Music Shop Armenia, and Mr. Vladimir Abramov for their support. And special thanks to the Ijevan Secondary Music School for our long-lasting and productive collaboration!
Learn more about Vasily Petrenko’s Academy For Conductors in the Aravot.am coverage.
Vasily Petrenko’s Academy for Conductora is an educational program without precedent for the region, which will be a great experience and stimulus for young conductors.
The Academy is co-produced by the Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra (Artistic Director & Chief Conductor Eduard Topchjan) and the Primavera Foundation Armenia.
Application deadline is June 7, 2024, 18:00
17 JUNE, Monday
Gyumri Semifinals
11:00 – Gyumri Semifinals
17:00 – Award Ceremony
Gyumri Branch of Yerevan Komitas State Conservatory,
1 Ankakhutyan Square
18 JUNE, Tuesday
Yerevan Semifinals
10:00 – Yerevan Semifinals
17:00 – Award Ceremony
Arno Babajanyan Concert Hall,
2 Abovyan Street
17 JUNE, Monday
Ijevan Semifinals
11:00 – Ijevan Semifinals
17:00 – Award Ceremony
Ijevan Children’s Music School,
1 Melibekyan Street
19 JUNE, Wednesday
11:00 – Open Educational Videos Recording
Arno Babajanyan Concert Hall, 2 Abovyan Street
20 JUNE, Thursday
Yerevan Finals
10:00 – Yerevan Finals
17:00 – Сoncert
М. Duplessy – Ulan Bator
A. Barrios – Un Sueno el la Floresta
L. Brouwer – Danza Characteristica
A. Villoldo (arr. Roland Dyens) – El Choclo
G. Bizet – Carmen suite: Aragonaise, Habanera, Entr’acte
18:00 Award Ceremony
Arno Babajanyan Concert Hall,
2 Abovyan Street
The detailed schedule will be available on Primavera Foundation Armenia’s social media starting June 10, 2024.
The entrance to all events for the audience is free.
The competition consists of three stages.
First Stage: Contestants will be selected via video in the application form. Note that applications without a video will not be considered. All participants who advance to the semifinals will be notified personally
Second Stage: The Semifinals will be held in Ijevan, Gyumri, and Yerevan.
Finals: The Finals will take place in Yerevan.
Check if you fit the criteria and apply!
Age Categories
I. Up to 9 years old (inclusive)
II. 10-12 years old (inclusive)
III. 13-16 years old (inclusive)
Repertoire
Upon the applicant’s choice, 2-3 pieces are up to 15 minutes of performance.
Semi-Finals Prizes
Only the first and second-prize winners from each age category will be invited to the Finals. During the Finals, the contestants are expected to perform the same repertoire as during the Semifinals.
Final Prizes
Before submitting your application, please make sure that you have the following at your disposal:
1. Contact details of your teacher.
2. An open-to-everyone link of your recent performance on any social media platform, such as YouTube, Facebook, or Instagram.
3. Copy of the passport/birth certificate.
Successful applicants will be notified by email and announced on the Primavera Foundation Armenia social media profiles on June 10, 2024.
| 7 June, Friday | Applications Deadline (by 18:00 Yerevan time) |
| 10 June, Monday | Contestants Announcement |
| 17 June, Monday | Semifinals in Gyumri & Ijevan |
| 18 June, Tuesday | Semifinals in Yerevan |
| 19 June, Wednesday | Open video recording: Valeria Galimova, Nikita Nedelko, Vahan Sargsyan, Henrik Melikyan |
| 20 June, Thursday | Finals in Yerevan |
By submitting the application, an applicant accepts and agrees with the competition’s Terms and Conditions and gives permission to proceed, store, and use the personal information, photos, and videos for the technical documentation, official website, and social media announcements.
Application fee:
FREE for Armenian citizens.
The application fee for non-Armenian citizens is $30.
Travel expenses:
The successful applicants independently cover their travel expenses and accommodation costs. The Primavera Foundation Armenia is not responsible for any costs associated with this journey.
HOW TO PAY AN APPLICATION FEE:
Nune Badalyan
Classical Guitar Teacher and Professor of Music Arts
Yerevan State Conservatory Master’s degree in concert performance, teaching, chamber singing, and folk art.
Lecturer at Yerevan Komitas State Conservatory and Yerevan State Pedagogical University named after Kh. Abovyan. Founder and teacher of the guitar class at P.I. Tchaikovsky Music School.
Laureate of International Competitions, member of various Republican and international competitions and festivals juries.
43 music compositions and works (6 books). Author of various scientific articles, educational, and methodology programs for YSC, music schools, colleges, and other universities.
List of student awards received: 34 prizes
Explore the story behind an intense yet exciting journey of perfecting conductor skills by participants of the Vasily Petrenko Academy for conductors in Yerevan with the ANM Media.
The Academy is co-produced by the Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra (Artistic Director & Chief Conductor Eduard Topchjan) and the Primavera Foundation Armenia.
The Vasily Petrenko’s Academy For Conductors is set to provide young conductors with invaluable hands-on experience and professional guidance in Yerevan, enriching Armenia’s vibrant classical music scene, and bringing it to international spotlight.
The Academy is co-produced by the Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra (Artistic Director & Chief Conductor Eduard Topchjan) and the Primavera Foundation Armenia.
Free News brings a lively report on Vasily Petrenko’s Academy For Conductors in Yerevan, where leadership meets rhythm. Discover the passion and precision behind every gesture.
The Academy is co-produced by the Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra (Artistic Director & Chief Conductor Eduard Topchjan) and the Primavera Foundation Armenia.
Applications for active Academy participants are accepted from around the world until June 3, 2024. Entrants must be born between 1989 and 2006 inclusive. More details can be found on the website of the Primavera Foundation of Armenia.
The Academy is co-produced by the Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra (Artistic Director & Chief Conductor Eduard Topchjan) and the Primavera Foundation Armenia.
Join the musical journey of aspiring conductors at Vasily Petrenko’s Academy For Conductors at the Aram Khachaturian Concert Hall as Panorama captures the essence of this educational experience, filled with insights and expert guidance.
The Academy is co-produced by the Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra (Artistic Director & Chief Conductor Eduard Topchjan) and the Primavera Foundation Armenia.
Dive into the world of future maestros with Vasily Petrenko’s Academy For Conductors! Discover how young talents are crafting symphonic spells under the guidance of maestro Vasily Petrenko with the support of the Academy orchestra.
The Academy is co-produced by the Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra (Artistic Director & Chief Conductor Eduard Topchjan) and the Primavera Foundation Armenia.
The Academy For Young Conductors is the first venture between Vasily Petrenko, the Primavera Foundation Armenia, and the Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra. Designed for young conductors worldwide, which will offer participants hands-on experience through individual training with the orchestra and Mr. Petrenko’s workshop the ‘Secrets of Conducting Off the Stage’.
The Academy is co-produced by the Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra (Artistic Director & Chief Conductor Eduard Topchjan) and the Primavera Foundation Armenia.
On May 23, 2024, the Ijevan Children’s Music School welcomed Vahan Sargsyan, our tutor with classical guitar master classes and concert dedicated to Artsakh refugees, bringing emotional support through music.
We are thrilled and proud to continue our commitment to supporting Armenians!
This event was made possible thanks to the Ijevan Children’s Music School and its director, Mrs. Aida Sargsyan.
To view more photos from the event, please click here.
Mary Mamikonian, a board member of the Primavera Armenia Foundation, spoke about the VISAGES D’ARMÉNIE FESTIVAL festival held in France. She emphasized the need to present Armenian culture abroad to change the perception of Armenia internationally.
We are deeply grateful to The Violin Channel for featuring the Academy for Young Conductors by the world-famous conductor Vasily Petrenko.
We’re thrilled to update you on the latest ongoing educational trip: on May 16, 2024 Armenian classical guitarist Vahan Sargsyan came to the Gyumri Branch of Yerevan Komitas State Conservatory, where he gave a performance and run inspiring master classes for local classical guitar students.
Stay tuned for upcoming events as we continue to bring new and exciting musical experiences to different regions. Your support makes these initiatives possible – click SUPPORT now! Every small donation makes a huge difference!
AS PART OF THE CLASSICAL GUITAR PROGRAM, Vahan Sargsyan the Primavera Foundation classical guitar program tutor will conduct a series of master classes at the Gyumri Branch of Yerevan Komitas State Conservatory.
In addition to the master classes, Vahan will perform Classical Guitar concert.
Date: May, 16 2024
Venue: Gyumri Branch of Yerevan Komitas State Conservatory, 1 Ankakhutyan Sq.
Program:
All active participants of the master class are requested to register and must bring printed sheet music with them!
Vahan Sargsyan was born on January 30, 2002, in Yerevan. He began his musical journey at the age of 10. He graduated from the P. I. Tchaikovsky Secondary Music School. Following his military service, he continued his education at the Yerevan State Conservatory, named after Komitas, where he is currently in his second year of his Bachelor’s degree.
Vahan is a recipient of numerous international competition awards, including the 2nd prize at the Tbilisi International Classical Guitar Competition, recognition at the Pleven International Guitar Festival-Competition, the Grand Prize at the “Renaissance” International Festival-Competition, and the 1st Prize at the “Art Music” International Festival.
AS PART OF THE CLASSICAL GUITAR PROGRAM, Vahan Sargsyan the Primavera Foundation classical guitar program tutor will conduct a series of master classes in Ijevan.
In addition to the master classes, Vahan will perform a Classical Guitar concert.
Date: May 23 2024
Venue: Ijevan Children’s Music School (1 Melibekyan Street)
Program:
All active participants of the master class are requested to register and must bring printed sheet music with them!
Vahan Sargsyan was born on January 30, 2002, in Yerevan. He began his musical journey at the age of 10. He graduated from the P. I. Tchaikovsky Secondary Music School. Following his military service, he continued his education at the Yerevan State Conservatory, named after Komitas, where he is currently in the second year of his Bachelor’s degree.
Vahan is a recipient of numerous international competition awards, including the 2nd prize at the Tbilisi International Classical Guitar Competition, recognition at the Pleven International Guitar Festival-Competition, the Grand Prize at the “Renaissance” International Festival-Competition, and the 1st Prize at the “Art Music” International Festival.
“Armenia is a wonderful country with a huge centuries-old cultural heritage. Classical music is a part of it as many Armenian composers, soloists, and conductors are famous worldwide. However, now, for several reasons, a tiny part of talented young musicians from Armenia have the opportunity to gain the necessary experience and education for their future artistic lives and careers. Therefore, the primary task of the Academy is to support them, share experience, and provide advice.” – Vasily Petrenko for the MusicalLife Magazine
The Academy is co-produced by the Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra (Artistic Director & Chief Conductor Eduard Topchjan) and the Primavera Foundation Armenia.
The Academy offers an opportunity for young conductors to improve their skills and gain experience under the guidance of the world-leading conductor, the Chairman of the Primavera Foundation Artistic Council maestro Vasily Petrenko. The Academy invites young conductors from all over the world to Armenia, therefore bringing Yerevan to the spotlight of classical music aficionados and professionals.
Four-day intensive educational program, aimed at improving the musical, social, and mental skills essential for a conductor’s career, with a final gala evening bringing Conductors Academy students to conduct a concert on the stage!
Academy for Conductors’ participants:
Academy program:
The Gala concert program on June 6, 2024, will feature the selected movements from the Academy program.
Music Director,
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Chief Conductor,
European Union Youth Orchestra
Conductor Laureate,
Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra
Associate Conductor,
Orquesta Sinfónica de Castilla y León
Vasily Petrenko is the Music Director of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (since 2021), and Chief Conductor of the European Union Youth Orchestra (since 2015). He is Conductor Laureate of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, following his hugely acclaimed fifteen year tenure as their Chief Conductor from 2006-2021, and has also served as Principal Guest Conductor and subsequently Artistic Director of the State Academic Symphony Orchestra of Russia (2016-2022), Chief Conductor of the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra (2013-2020), Principal Conductor of the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain (2009–2013), and Principal Guest Conductor of St Petersburg’s Mikhailovsky Theatre, where he began his career as Resident Conductor (1994–1997).
He has worked with many of the world’s most prestigious orchestras including the Berlin Philharmonic, Leipzig Gewandhaus, London Symphony, London Philharmonic, Philharmonia, Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia (Rome), St Petersburg Philharmonic, Orchestre National de France, Czech Philharmonic, NHK Symphony and Sydney Symphony orchestras. He has appeared at the Edinburgh Festival, Grafenegg Festival and made frequent appearances at the BBC Proms. Recent years have seen a series of highly successful North American debuts, including the Philadelphia Orchestra, Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra, Cleveland Orchestra, and the San Francisco, Boston, Chicago, Montréal and St Louis Symphony orchestras.
Equally at home in the opera house, and with over thirty operas in his repertoire, Vasily Petrenko made his debuts in 2010 at Glyndebourne Festival Opera (Macbeth) and the Opéra de Paris (Eugene Onegin), and in recent seasons has also conducted at the Mikhailovsky Theatre, Zürich Opera and Bayerische Staatsoper. In the 19/20 season, he also made his debut at the Metropolitan Opera New York with a production of The Queen of Spades.
Vasily Petrenko has established a strongly defined profile as a recording artist. Amongst a wide discography, his Shostakovich symphony cycle for Naxos Records with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra has garnered worldwide acclaim. With the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra, he has recently released cycles of Scriabin’s symphonies and Strauss’ tone poems.
In September 2017, Vasily Petrenko was honored with the Artist of the Year award at the prestigious annual Gramophone Awards, one decade on from receiving their Young Artist of the Year award in October 2007. In 2010, he won the Male Artist of the Year at the Classical BRIT Awards and is only the second person to have been awarded Honorary Doctorates by both the University of Liverpool and Liverpool Hope University (in 2009), and an Honorary Fellowship of the Liverpool John Moores University (in 2012), awards which recognise the immense impact he has had on the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and the city’s cultural scene.
Vasily Petrenko was born in 1976 and started his music education at the St Petersburg Capella Boys Music School – Russia’s oldest music school. He then studied at the St Petersburg Conservatoire where he participated in masterclasses with such luminary figures as Ilya Musin, Mariss Jansons and Yuri Temirkanov.
Pianist Philipp Kopachevsky conducted a series of master classes at the Aram Khachaturian Concert Hall in Yerevan on April 26, 2024. Five talented young Armenian pianists had the opportunity to enhance their skills under the guidance of Mr. Kopachevsky, working on pieces by Debussy, Beethoven, Liszt, and Rachmaninoff.
Our endless gratitude to the Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra team for their support and partnership!
On April 25, 2024, the Ijevan Children’s Music School welcomed pianist Philipp Kopachevsky, a soloist of the Moscow State Academic Philharmonic and a prize-winner at international competitions, for a series of piano master classes. Mr. Kopachevsky received an extremely warm welcome in Ijevan both from students and teachers.
Eight young pianists performed pieces by N. Rakov, Bertini, Mendelssohn, Berkovich, Cherni, Burgmüller, and Mozart.
This event was made possible thanks to the Ijevan Children’s Music School and its director, Mrs. Aida Sargsyan. Their dedication to fostering young talent in the region has been instrumental in providing opportunities for aspiring musicians to learn from world-class artists like Philipp Kopachevsky.
The flashback of our first tour of Armenian classical guitarists in collaboration with the Viva Foundation for Artsakh forced migrants and those who supported them.
On April 19-21, 2024 Vahan Sargsyan and Henrik Melikyan, the Primavera Foundation classical guitar program tutors, gave a series of performances in Kapan and around the Syunik region. In addition to the performances, guitarists also gave classical guitar master classes in Kapan for four young armenian classical guitarists.
The Primavera Foundation extends its gratitude to Tatyana Oganesyan, the Viva Foundation, and especially David Pogosyan for exceptional organizational support, which allows us to bring music to regions with limited access to such cultural experiences.
・・・
A great tour in Syunik with Primavera Foundation Armenia:
19.04 – Syunik Village Cultural House
20.04 – Aram Khachatryan Music School No.1 in Kapan
21.04 – Yeghvard Village Cultural House
The concerts, attended by over 150 people, highlighted the importance of bringing cultural experiences to Armenian regions, to enlighten the lives of Armenians across the country through music. We are thrilled and proud to continue our commitment to supporting Armenians!
On April 19-21, 2024 Vahan Sargsyan and Henrik Melikyan, the Primavera Foundation classical guitar program tutors, gave a series of performances in Kapan and around the Syunik region.
Thanks to the Viva Foundation, Tatyana Oganesyan, and David Pogosyan personally for the brilliant organizational support and exceptional events production skills.
“Classical music can not be a commercial project. People don’t make fortunes with classical music. And there is no interest from big companies or from advertising companies to invest because the market share is relatively small. But at the same time, it’s such an extremely difficult art to master.” – Edgardo Vertanessian, Prima Classic CEO & Co-Founder
The interview with Edgardo Vertanessian, CEO & Co-Founder of Prima Classic Record Label delves into the significance of private support for culture, highlighting the emotional resonance of music and the importance of preserving artistic heritage.
In a conversation with Mrs Maria Kikina Mr Vertanessian, reveals his family history connected to Armenia, and views on the importance of possibility to record for young artists, specifically in classical music.
The Primavera Foundation expresses sincere gratitude to Edgardo Vertanessian and Prima Classic label for our collaboration. We are thrilled to be able to design and run more initiatives in the coming years together!
– Edgardo Vertanessian, CEO & Co-Founder, Prima Classic Record Label
On April 5, 2024, Prima Classic label released the first single from the History of Tango album with works for guitar and orchestra. The album features Artyom Dervoed (classical guitar), Yuri Medianik (button accordion), and Sergey Shamov (percussion) with the Russian National Orchestra under the baton of David Molard Soriano. The album tracklist includes works by Astor Piazzolla and Cacho Tirao, including the newly arranged works for guitar and orchestra: the world-premiere recordings of the new transcriptions of “Suite del Angel”, “Histoire du Tango”, and “Libertango”.
50% of the History of Tango album streaming proceeds will be used to support the Primavera Foundation Armenia Classical Guitar educational program for young Armenian musicians.
We asked Mr. Vertanessian about this project and his personal connection to Armenia.
Primavera Foundation Armenia (PFA): What were your emotions when you listened to Artyom Dervoed’s History of Tango album for the first time?
Edgardo Vertanessian (EV): It was very emotional! I was born in Buenos Aires, I grew up there. It is my beloved city and when I listened to this album, I was flushed with memories and impressions of Buenos Aires. For us, Piazzola represents Buenos Aires and this album is so well performed!
PFA: But you are Armenian, and your family fled from the Armenian genocide… What do you remember about Armenia from your family history?
EV: Yes, I have Armenian blood from both of my parents’ sides. My mother’s and my father’s families came from the same small town in Türkiye called Bilecik. Now I can’t find it on the map… It was the Ottoman Empire, and the city name may have been changed since then. They were from well-established Armenians who lived in Türkiye. On my father’s side, they were very wealthy, they owned a silk factory.
When Ataturk and his criminals came to power and started killing the Armenians they took everything from them. My ancestors lived in the countryside where the killings first started, as there was no press, no media, nothing. My family had connections, so some of them managed to escape to Istanbul, yet some of them were killed.
After all, most of them ended up in France, and they still live there. My grandparents from my father’s side settled in Argentina. Their families arranged the marriage in advance via letters, and my grandmother took a ship to Buenos Aires to meet her husband, my grandfather. Although my grandfather died young of a stroke, they had a lovely marriage. He had studied in Italy and was a very well-educated man. They started a new life there…
From my mother’s side, my grandfather arrived in Argentina as an orphan, and later married a Spanish woman (my grandmother) and they set up a metal-work factory in Buenos Aires. It still exists!
Our story is like every Armenian family in the Diaspora around the world: after everything had been taken from them in Türkiye, they found peace and happiness elsewhere, in our case in Argentina, such a wonderful place! They all immediately fell in love with Argentina. I’m a second generation Argentinian. Unfortunately, we didn’t go to Armenian schools and we don’t speak the language.
This is just a part of our family story. It is known that Turks were killing entire families, killing parents in front of their children’s eyes, and we have dark stories in our family too. I’m sad and frustrated that it is not coming to light, that Turks do not recognize it.
PFA: Primavera Foundation Armenia is a non-governmental organization. What is the role of private support for the culture?
EV: I think that private support for the fine arts is fundamental. It has always been. Even in the times of Beethoven, he had to find rich people to give him money for his compositions, Mozart was running around searching for sponsors, Vivaldi… We have seen it throughout history, it’s nothing new, and today it’s as important as it ever was. Apart from popular music, for example, classical music can not be a commercial project. People don’t make fortunes with classical music. And there is no interest from big companies or from advertising companies to invest because the market share is relatively small. But at the same time, it’s such an extremely difficult art to master. If you play, let’s say, flute, you have to practice for years before you can even apply for a job in an orchestra and you have to be really good at it! It’s a lifetime commitment from an artist.
If there were no private individuals who appreciate and finance classical music, if we leave it to the market forces, there would be much less support and much less development. What Primavera Foundation does is extraordinary, because it not only supports performers, but the foundation supports musicians in a minor country like Armenia: a small yet significant country in terms of culture and religion. Its people are known to be active and entrepreneurial everywhere they go, but it’s a small country after all, so if someone takes an interest and supports the local culture I think it’s remarkable.
PFA: You are a co-founder and CEO of Prima Classic record label. Is it important to teach musicians the basics of recording? Will this knowledge help their careers?
EV: Artists should have an idea of what it is to record. Maybe it should be taught in schools, very briefly though, because it is not a big subject from a musician’s point of view. But to be prepared to record is not the same as to be prepared to perform. When you are recording, you need the energy of the performance but at the same time, you need perfection. Even if there is a mistake in a single note you cannot leave it, as it will stay there forever.
You have to take a more analytical approach when you record and make sure that the emotions and the technical perfection are there. If you make it too “clinical”, it could end up being a cold recording, but if you make it too emotional, it might have a lot of mistakes. You have to find a balance. During a recording usually, there are lots of repetitions, when musicians play the same part over and over again.
There is also the studio time needed for it. To record an album of, say, one hour of duration, provided that you are a well-prepared instrumentalist, you will need anywhere between 12 and 24 studio hours, depending on the difficulty of the repertoire. You need to repeat and then select the best takes, and the engineer will put together all the pieces. Unlike in a performance, you never record from beginning to end. Well, some artists can do it, but it is not the norm. The norm is that you record, stop, listen, and repeat until everyone is happy, only then do you move to the next piece.
Musicians also should know how to record themselves. Now it’s very easy to do with a computer at home, and with some microphones which are not very expensive. The cost of a home recording is very low, and with a few hundred euros you can make a demo recording, for example, and upload it for free to SoundCloud. To start recording themselves and putting the music out, it’s a good way to show their craft to the public, to agents, and to record labels as well.
Maria Kikina
On April 19-21, 2024 Vahan Sargsyan and Henrik Melikyan, the Primavera Foundation classical guitar program tutors will give a series of performances and master classes in Kapan and around in Syunik region.
In addition to the performances they also give classical guitar master classes in Kapan. All active participants of the master class are requested to register and must bring printed sheet music with them ☝🏻
Learn more about Viva Foundation , and our personal gratitude to Tatyana Oganesyan!
19:00 – Concert
Venue: Syunik Village Cultural House, Nerkin Takh St. 10
15:00 – Concert
16:00 – Master Class
Venue: Kapan Music School №1 Named After Aram Khachatryan, Romanos Melikyan St. 2
Registration for active participants of master class
18:00 – Concert
Venue: Yeghvard Village Cultural House, Second St. 2
Vahan Sargsyan
Vahan Sargsyan was born on January 30, 2002, in Yerevan. He began his musical journey at the age of 10. He graduated from the P. I. Tchaikovsky Secondary Music School. Following his military service, he continued his education at the Yerevan State Conservatory, named after Komitas, where he is currently in his second year of his Bachelor’s degree.
Vahan is a recipient of numerous international competition awards, including the 2nd prize at the Tbilisi International Classical Guitar Competition, recognition at the Pleven International Guitar Festival-Competition, the Grand Prize at the “Renaissance” International Festival-Competition, and the 1st Prize at the “Art Music” International Festival.
Henrik Melikyan
Henrik Melikyan was born on August 21, 1999, in Yerevan. He embarked on his musical journey at the age of 9 and graduated from the musical college named after Arno Babajanyan. After completing his military service, he continued his education at the Yerevan State Conservatory, named after Komitas, where he is currently in his second year of his Master’s program.
Henrik has earned recognition in various international competitions, securing the 1st prize at the Tbilisi International Classical Guitar Competition, the 1st prize in the “Video-Rus” International Competition, the 1st prize at the “Renaissance” International Festival-Competition, and the 1st prize at the “Art Music” International Festival-Competition.He has also conducted a concert tour in Italy.
• World-star pianist Dmitry Masleev opened the festival with a Khachaturian & His Universe solo recital on Friday evening.
• On Saturday, we explored Armenian culture and traditions through the We documentary screening (directed by the legendary filmmaker Artavaz Pelishian) with a pre-talk by Armenian journalist and screenwriter Eduard Ayanyan, who gave later this day his second lecture on Armenian Cultural Heritage and Its Influence On the World.
• We finished the day with the Traditional Armenian Music Performance featuring Lilit Petrosyan (kanon), Harutyun Chkolyan (duduk), and Vocal Quintet LUYS.
• The closing chamber music performance by Thomas Lefort (violin) and Ruben Kozin (piano) brought works by Komitas, Babadjanian, and Khachaturian to La Rochefaoucaud-en-Angoumois. Can you imagine these two ethnic Armenian musicians meeting in France? And even more! Ruben got the invitation to perform at the festival because he applied to Dmitry Masleev’s master classes in Yerevan!
In addition, more than 300 guests visited the photo exhibitions by Armenian photographers Sevak Asrian and Suren Manvelyan dedicated to Artzakh and the Armenian people.
Primavera Foundation Armenia expresses our deep gratitude to Mr. Frédéric Berg and Mr. Manuel Ngo, the Hardiese President for the festival co-production, to Luc, Francoise, and the entire Hardiese team!
The VISAGES D’ARMÉNIE FESTIVAL would not be possible without the generous support of Foundation Beard members Beatriz and Vasily Pasetchnik, Marc de Many, Anastasia Boudanoque, Elena Yakovleva, Maria Kikina, Ksenia Pelishenko, Anna Mkrtchyan, and Anna Pronicheva.
Thank you to everyone who joined us in celebrating Armenian culture and music! 🎶🎉
Stay tuned for more photos and videos, and enjoy the first photos here.
Mr. Kopachevsky will perform a solo recital in Dilijan and conduct master classes for pianists in Yerevan in Ijevan.
Date & time: 25 April, Master class 13:00
Venue: Ijevan Children’s Music School, 1 Melibekian Street
Language: Russian
Admission: FREE for everyone, registration is requred
I WANT TO COME AS:
“The young pianist’s playing has a perceptibly personal message. The natural blend of mastery and spiritual maturity with raw emotion, the freedom with which the pianist expresses himself and his Romantic sincerity and nobleness win one over from the very first notes…”
“From the first notes he plays, you sense the pianist’s powerful and lyrical individuality. His piano sings – this is a very rare quality nowadays, typical of a Romantic worldview; he retains clarity in his pianism and his phrasing is beautiful and pliant…” These are the kind of reviews Philipp Kopachevsky receives from music critics.
A soloist of the Moscow State Academic Philharmonic and a prize-winner at international competitions, the young pianist Philipp Kopachevsky had won tremendous audience admiration and acclaim by the age of 33 He regularly appears in recital in Great Britain, Germany, the USA, the Netherlands, France, Brazil, Argentina, Italy, Greece, Poland and Spain as well as throughout Russia. Kopachevsky has won particular popularity in Japan, where especially for NHK TV he recorded a disc of piano music by Chopin
Philipp Kopachevsky was born in Moscow in 1990. He graduated from the Central Music school of the Moscow State Tchaikovsky Conservatoire and Moscow conservatoire. Philipp Kopachevsky has been a prize-winner at eight prestigious international competitions, among them the Х International Franz Schubert Piano Competition (Germany), international Piano competition in Enschede (Netherlands) and owner of the special prize on XVI Tchaikovsky competition.
The musician has performed with the world’s great orchestras, among them the English Chamber Orchestra, Milano “La Verdi” orchestra, DSO Berlin, the Academic Symphony Orchestra of the Moscow Philharmonic, the Symphony Orchestra of the Kolobov Novaya Opera Theatre in Moscow, the Tchaikovsky Symphony Orchestra, the Russian National Orchestra, the National Philharmonic Orchestra of Russia, the Moscow State Academic Symphony Orchestra under Pavel Kogan, the Novaya Rossiya State Symphony Orchestra, the Yevgeny Svetlanov State Symphony Orchestra of Russia and the Academic Symphony Orchestra of the St Petersburg Philharmonic. He has collaborated with such illustrious conductors as Mstislav Rostropovich,Valery Gergiev, Michel Plasson, Vladimir Spivakov, Mikhail Pletnev, Yuri Bashmet, Yevgeny Kolobov, Yuri Simonov, Alexander Dmitriev, Stanislav Kochanovsky, Daniel Smith, Andrew Gourlay, William Noll, Bjarte Engeset, Charles Olivieri-Munroe,Young Chil Lee, Yevgeny Bushkov, Maxim Vengerov, Jan Latham Koenig, and Paul Watkins etc.
Philipp Kopachevsky has appeared at numerous international festivals, such as “Stars of white nights” festival, Easter Festival, Festival in Annecy, the Andrei Sakharov Festival (Nizhny Novgorod), the Vera Lotar-Shevchenko Memorial Competition (Novosibirsk), the Steinway Festival, the Miami Piano Festival, the Arts Naples World Festival (USA), the Colmar International Festival (France), the Baltic Seasons festival (Kaliningrad), Vladimir Spivakov Invites, Stars on Baikal, Crescendo and Denis Matsuev Invites among numerous others.
He performed at the Russian premiere of choreographer Benjamin Millepied’s ballet Without at the Mariinsky Theatre.
Philipp Kopachevsky is involved in the Moscow State Academic Philharmonic’s project Stars of 21st century.
Mr. Kopachevsky will perform a solo recital in Dilijan and conduct master classes for pianists in Yerevan in Ijevan.
Date & time: 26 April, Master class 11:00 -16:30
Venue: Yerevan, Aram Khachaturian Concert Hall
Language: Russian
Admission: FREE for everyone, registration is requred
I WANT TO COME AS:
“The young pianist’s playing has a perceptibly personal message. The natural blend of mastery and spiritual maturity with raw emotion, the freedom with which the pianist expresses himself and his Romantic sincerity and nobleness win one over from the very first notes…”
“From the first notes he plays, you sense the pianist’s powerful and lyrical individuality. His piano sings – this is a very rare quality nowadays, typical of a Romantic worldview; he retains clarity in his pianism and his phrasing is beautiful and pliant…” These are the kind of reviews Philipp Kopachevsky receives from music critics.
A soloist of the Moscow State Academic Philharmonic and a prize-winner at international competitions, the young pianist Philipp Kopachevsky had won tremendous audience admiration and acclaim by the age of 33 He regularly appears in recital in Great Britain, Germany, the USA, the Netherlands, France, Brazil, Argentina, Italy, Greece, Poland and Spain as well as throughout Russia. Kopachevsky has won particular popularity in Japan, where especially for NHK TV he recorded a disc of piano music by Chopin
Philipp Kopachevsky was born in Moscow in 1990. He graduated from the Central Music school of the Moscow State Tchaikovsky Conservatoire and Moscow conservatoire. Philipp Kopachevsky has been a prize-winner at eight prestigious international competitions, among them the Х International Franz Schubert Piano Competition (Germany), international Piano competition in Enschede (Netherlands) and owner of the special prize on XVI Tchaikovsky competition.
The musician has performed with the world’s great orchestras, among them the English Chamber Orchestra, Milano “La Verdi” orchestra, DSO Berlin, the Academic Symphony Orchestra of the Moscow Philharmonic, the Symphony Orchestra of the Kolobov Novaya Opera Theatre in Moscow, the Tchaikovsky Symphony Orchestra, the Russian National Orchestra, the National Philharmonic Orchestra of Russia, the Moscow State Academic Symphony Orchestra under Pavel Kogan, the Novaya Rossiya State Symphony Orchestra, the Yevgeny Svetlanov State Symphony Orchestra of Russia and the Academic Symphony Orchestra of the St Petersburg Philharmonic. He has collaborated with such illustrious conductors as Mstislav Rostropovich,Valery Gergiev, Michel Plasson, Vladimir Spivakov, Mikhail Pletnev, Yuri Bashmet, Yevgeny Kolobov, Yuri Simonov, Alexander Dmitriev, Stanislav Kochanovsky, Daniel Smith, Andrew Gourlay, William Noll, Bjarte Engeset, Charles Olivieri-Munroe,Young Chil Lee, Yevgeny Bushkov, Maxim Vengerov, Jan Latham Koenig, and Paul Watkins etc.
Philipp Kopachevsky has appeared at numerous international festivals, such as “Stars of white nights” festival, Easter Festival, Festival in Annecy, the Andrei Sakharov Festival (Nizhny Novgorod), the Vera Lotar-Shevchenko Memorial Competition (Novosibirsk), the Steinway Festival, the Miami Piano Festival, the Arts Naples World Festival (USA), the Colmar International Festival (France), the Baltic Seasons festival (Kaliningrad), Vladimir Spivakov Invites, Stars on Baikal, Crescendo and Denis Matsuev Invites among numerous others.
He performed at the Russian premiere of choreographer Benjamin Millepied’s ballet Without at the Mariinsky Theatre.
Philipp Kopachevsky is involved in the Moscow State Academic Philharmonic’s project Stars of 21st century.
“I am very glad to participate in such an important initiative, which will give a lot of new opportunities to young Armenian musicians! Helping young musicians was always one of my top priorities and nowadays we need to help them more than ever. My love for Armenia goes back for over 35 years, I’m eagerly looking forward to sharing this love with many more people!” – maestro Vasily Petrenko.
To know more about Vasily Petrenko please, click here.
We all at the Primavera Foundation Armenia are honored and inspired by these words and welcome Mr. Petrenko as a Chairman of the Artistic Board of the Foundation. We are thrilled to launch this musical journey together!
Don’t forget to subscribe to our social media profiles to stay tuned!
Visages d’Arménie Festival is a unique opportunity to discover the rich culture and amazing history of the ancient country, the hardworking and talented Armenian people.
The music of Armenia, its culture and traditions come to the French soil: concerts of magnificent performers, Armenian winemaking tradition discovery, fascinating stories about Armenian history and culture. The three days, during which the French and residents of France will be able to learn, to hear, to see, and to feel Armenia, and become closer to it.
Visages d’Arménie Festival is another ange of the Primavera Foundation activities focused on promoting the international integration of Armenian culture and Armenian artists, as well as Armenian cultural heritage recognition worldwide.
The festival program features performances by the world star pianist Dmitry Masleev Khachaturian & His Universe, as well as Lilit Petrosyan (kanon), Harutyun Chkolyan (duduk), and Vocal Quintet LUYS (meaning “light”) from Armenia, chamber music concert by Thomas Lefort (violin), Ruben Kozin (piano). Discover Armenia through the photo exhibitions Visages of Artsakh by Sevak Asrian (Armenia), and Visages of Armenians by Suren Manvelyan (Armenia), as well as the screening of We (1969) documentary by famous Armenian director Artavazd Peleshyan with the pre-screening talk by journalist & screenwriter Eduard Ayanyan.
Between March 11-17, 2024 more than 300 visitors to the Foyer of Couvent des Carmes at the La Rochefoucauld-en-Angoumois in France emerged themselves in the photo exhibitions dedicated to Artsakh and the Armenian people. Two Armenian photographers, Sevak Asryan and Suren Manvelyan exhibited their works sharing the beauty of Armenia and Armenians with the festival guests.
We express sincere gratitude to the festival co-organizer Association Hardiese, and to Mr. Manuel Ngo personally.
At the Primavera Foundation Armenia, we prioritize providing performance opportunities to young Armenian musicians.
Here is the story behind the closing festival performance: violinist Thomas Lefort and pianist Ruben Kozin presented works by Komitas, Babadjanian, and Khachaturian. Both musicians are ethnic Armenian, and they met for the first time performing Armenian music in France.
On top of that young pianist Ruben Kozin got the invitation to perform at the festival because he applied to Dmitry Masleev’s master classes in Yerevan last year!
We express sincere gratitude to the festival co-organizer Association Hardiese, and to Mr. Manuel Ngo personally.
A concert of Traditional Armenian music at the Eglise de La Rochefoucauld at the end of the day of the festival was a journey through centuries: from medieval melodies to spiritual chants, and folk songs performed by Armenian artists Lilit Petrosyan (kanon), Harutyun Chkolyan (duduk), and Vocal Quintet LUYS.
We express sincere gratitude to the festival co-organizer Association Hardiese, and to Mr. Manuel Ngo personally.
On Saturday, March 16, 2024, we explored Armenian culture and traditions through the We documentary screening (directed by the legendary Armenian filmmaker Artavaz Pelishian) with a pre-talk by Armenian journalist and screenwriter Eduard Ayanyan, who in the afternoon gave a lecture on Armenian Cultural Heritage and Its Influence On the World.
We express sincere gratitude to the festival co-organizer Association Hardiese, and to Mr. Manuel Ngo personally.
Standing ovations for Dmitry Masleev’s breathtaking opening performance of the VISAGES D’ARMÉNIE FESTIVAL on 15 March 2024! Stunning performance at the Couvent des Carmes with Khachaturian & His Universe program paid homage to the great composers who influenced Khachaturian’s artistry.
We are endlessly grateful to Dmitry, the piano program Curator at the Primavera Foundation Armenia for his support of Armenian pianists and his pedagogical work in Armenia!
We express sincere gratitude to the festival co-organizer Association Hardiese, and to Mr. Manuel Ngo personally.
On March 13, 2024, we welcomed in Yerevan Maximilian Simon, the curator of the Violin Program.
We recorded a series of educational videos covering a range of topics crucial to violinists, including vibrato, spiccato, purchasing or improving instruments, managing stage fright, effective warm-up routines and scale practices.
All the sessions were filmed and will soon be available on the Primavera Foundation’s YouTube Channel. Don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube Channel and never miss a beat!
The initiative was possible through a partnership with the Arno Babajanyan Concert Hall.
We created and are developing this YouTube channel as a source for Armenian musicians and their teachers. Support us now, and every video in Armenian will be available for generations of young Armenian musicians for free!
SUPPORT LINK: https://primavera-foundation.am/support/
On March 12, Maximilian Simon, a curator of the Primavera Foundation Violin Program, visited the Dilijan State Art College for a series of violin master classes. Providing attention and advice for three young violinists who performed pieces by Paganini, Sarasate and Tartini.
During the visit, Maximilian Simon engaged with the students and teachers, sharing insights into his own journey as a violinist and offering valuable advice on pursuing a career in music. The event was made possible through the collaboration with the college’s Director, Mrs. Hasmik Musayelovna, whose dedication and support we deeply value!
The Primavera Foundation continues its mission to support and nurture young talents in Armenian regions. To join us in this journey, click the SUPPORT button.
Read the personal story behind the co-founder and executive director of the Primavera Foundation Armenia – Elena Yakovleva. Explore how she started the foundation idea in 2019, what are the plans, and what makes it so special to work with classical music, education in the field, and cultural projects.
YouTube is an invaluable source of information. But many treasures remain inaccessible to Armenian students and teachers. Why?
You often get those in languages other than Armenian. With your help, we could create Armenian subtitles for our educational videos!
Three simple steps:
We oversee the subtitles production and uploading, and within one month you will have a video dedicated to you or anyone you choose on our YouTube Channel forever!
Together we turn YouTube channel into an invaluable source for Armenian musicians and their teachers.
Get in touch now, and every video in Armenian will be available for generations of young Armenian musicians for free forever!
SUPPORT LINK: https://primavera-foundation.am/support/
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On February 29 Elena Yakovleva, co-founder and executive director of the Primavera Foundation Armenia, shared the foundation’s history, vision, and upcoming projects in an interview with Armenpress.
“We hope that the festival becomes a space for reconnection with Armenian spirit, culture, traditions, and a meeting point for everyone concerned about the future of Armenia,” emphasized Elena Yakovleva.
The interview by Angela Hambardzumyan, delves into the foundation’s role and commitment to cultural preservation and community engagement.
Nine months since the licensing agreement with the publisher is signed
500 copies
A monumental undertaking of Carl Flesch’s work for teachers and students. The range of material covered by this massive book is enormous: Body Posture, The Left Arm (positions & fingerings), Vibrato, Bowing (including all varieties of strokes), Tone Production, Musical Memory, etc., musical examples, and covers experts from the works of all the master composers, hand diagrams and a table for the consistent use of bowing and fingering symbols.
Armenian teachers know the work by Carl Flesch. We intend to produce the Armenian edition with Berlin publisher Ries & Erler.
3 years
Educational modules – Yerevan, repairing practice workshops Yerevan, and marzes
Every eighth resident of Armenia gets in touch with the musical education system as a student, teacher, parent, or relative of a pupil/student or as an audience. Almost 20,000 pupils study music in music schools, cultural centers, colleges, and conservatories. More than 5,000 teachers support our pupils across the country. The piano is the most used instrument during the music education process, and every student uses the piano as a primary or additional instrument.
Primavera Foundation Armenia is taking the initiative to design and produce an educational program for piano repairs and restoration so that every piano is well-served and available in playable condition for our children and their teachers. To bring more pianos to Armenia, firstly, we should secure the professional level of piano repairers and tuners and secure at least two tuners in every marz.
DETAILS ARE COMING SOON
The Primavera Foundation supports an initiative by Académie de l’Opéra Royal de Versailles, which together with Fondation Royaumont and Institut Français proposes to explore Armenia’s musical heritage by deciphering manuscripts of pre-14th century music preserved in Matenadaran in Yerevan.
La Rochefoucauld-en-Angoumois, France
6 months starting the licensing agreement signature date
300 copies
The project aims to publish the Chamber Ensemble toolkit by Professor Irina Krasotina in Armenian. A musical ensemble is an invaluable tool for learning collaboration and communication on stage, building mutual trust and understanding, creating additional social connections, and building friendships at any stage of a musician’s development. The toolkit provides support and advice to chamber ensemble teachers across Armenia. The methodological guidance and repertoire advice, as well as the recommendations for organizing work with student ensembles and an overview of approaches to teaching methods and practices, will become a knowledge source in the field.
IRINA KRASOTINA
Professor of the Moscow State Conservatory, Ph.D. in Art History, a Master of Spanish Music
Irina Krasotina is the Foundation Educational Academy Curator on Chamber Music and regularly performs recitals in Russia and abroad. She is a Professor at the Moscow Conservatory and has a Ph.D. in Art History and a Master of Spanish Music. Her students are the laureates and winners of prestigious competitions in Russia, Spain, and the UK. She is also the author of 18 tutorials and treatises focused on ensemble performance studies, Spanish music, and “Chamber Ensemble” discipline educational programs.
Yerevan
Free of charge for Armenian citizens
An ensemble is invaluable for learning collaboration and communication on stage, building mutual trust and understanding, creating additional social connections, and building friendships for young musicians. Summer school format provides a safe and collaborative space for musicians to enhance their skills and explore chamber repertoire for future collaborations under professional guidance. On top of everything, this is an opportunity for musicians who won’t make a career as a soloist to remain on stage and pursue a successful artistic life. We plan to run the school annually.
IRINA KRASOTINA
Professor of the Moscow State Conservatory, Ph.D. in Art History, a Master of Spanish Music
Irina Krasotina is the Foundation Educational Academy Curator on Chamber Music and regularly performs recitals in Russia and abroad. She is a Professor at the Moscow Conservatory and has a Ph.D. in Art History and a Master of Spanish Music. Her students are the laureates and winners of prestigious competitions in Russia, Spain, and the UK. She is also the author of 18 tutorials and treatises focused on ensemble performance studies, Spanish music, and “Chamber Ensemble” discipline educational programs.
Ijevan, Gyumri, and Yerevan – semi finals, Yerevan – finals
Primarily target audience the participants of the foundation Classical Guitar Artistic Training Program
Free of charge for Armenian citizens
Due to its recognizability, accessibility, and mobility, the guitar is among young people’s most demanded instruments. The general interest in the instrument creates the basis for attracting more youngsters to classical music through the guitar. We based our educational activities priorities on the existing demand, and during 2023, the foundation organized 54 one-to-one in-person classical guitar master classes, primarily in Armenian regions.
We continue our Classical Guitar Artistic Training Program in 2024, and to analyze the results, support students and teachers motivation we are planning to end the 2023/24 educational season with the two-level competition system, starting with regional classical guitar competitions, and then organizing the finals in Yerevan.
The competition jury will consist of Armenian and international musicians, as well as the foundation curators, tutors, and mentors.
We intend to invite some of the competition laureates to participate in the Chamber Music Summer School by professor Irina Krasotina on a yearly basis.
Annually, during summer
Yerevan, In person
Free of charge for Armenian citizens
The Conductor Academy is the opportunity for young emerging conductors to master their skills under the guidance of the world leading conductor – maestro Vasily Petrenko.
Armenia has the unique opportunity to become a home for maestro Vasily Petrenko’s Conductor Academy on an annual basis.
The Academy will bring to Armenia young conductors from all over the world, therefore bringing Yerevan to the spotlight for both classical music lovers and professionals.
The five-day learning journey ends with the gala evening in Yerevan, bringing successful Conductors Academy students on stage together with Mo Petrenko himself.
Elena Yakovleva, co-founder and executive director of the Primavera Foundation Armenia in conversation with News-Armenia.
Read more about the inspiration behind launching the foundation, the story about the Armenian festival in France, and how music helps to survive during the toughest times in an exclusive interview with the News-Armenia agency.
Read the story behind our first-ever European event in Armenian.
All active participants are requested to register and must bring printed sheet music with them!
Date & time: March, 7 2024
Venue: Hrazdan, Hradan Music Schoool (Microdistrict district, building 106)
Program:
Henrik Melikyan
Vahan Sargsyan
Duet
Date & time: March, 7 2024
Venue: Hrazdan, Hrazdan Music school
Language: Armenian
Admission: FREE for everyone, registration required
I WANT TO COME AS:
Huge thanks to Mr. Frédéric Berg for his interest in the Festival, and Mr. Manuel Ngo the Hardiese President, and the Visages d’Armenie Festival co-producer for making this happen.
We invite all violin players to participate in master class which will followed by the round table discussion focused on:
Stage fright, How to practice scales properly, Vibrato.
All participants will be able to ask questions and share their opinion during the discussion.
Date & time: March,12 2024
13:00-15:00 Master Сlasses
15:30-18:00 Round Table
Venue: Dilijan State Art College, Kalinin St. 58
Language: English
Admission: FREE for everyone, registration required
I WANT TO COME AS:
Whether as a soloist, chamber musician or as deputy section leader of the 2nd violins of the Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, Maximilian Simon inspires on stage with self-confident sovereignty, technical brilliance, expressive playing and his noticeably infectious enthusiasm for music. Curious by nature and open to challenges, the charismatic musician and GEWA Music Brand Ambassador manages to convince his listeners offline and online not only with the standard works of the repertoire, but also with contemporary and unknown music.
Highlights of his past appearances as a soloist were concerts with Yuri Bashmet in Rostov am Dom and in the Moscow Conservatory with the violin concerto by Beethoven and the Concerto funèbre by Karl Amadeus Hartmann. In the Berlin Philharmonie, the audience listened to him visibly spellbound as he interpreted the late romantic violin concerto by Erich J. Wolff with the Berliner Symphoniker under the baton of Lior Shambadal – as “sung touchingly, as virtuosically brilliant”, as the press judged and the jubilation in the hall confirmed.
Born in Koblenz in 1988, Maximilian began playing the violin at the age of six and won his first competition just a year later. Numerous other awards followed before he studied at the Berlin University of Music “Hanns Eisler” (Prof. Wallin) and at the University of Music and Theater Hanover (Prof. Wegrzyn) and passed his concert exam. He received valuable artistic impulses in master classes, among others, with Pierre Amoyal, Vadim Gluzman and Christian Tetzlaff. Maximilian Simon made his solo debut in 2009 with the Folkwang Chamber Orchestra Essen.
Subsequently, engagements took him to the Rheinische Philharmonie Koblenz, the Jenaer Philharmonie, the Symphony Orchestra of the Far East and the Moscow Soloists as well as to renowned festivals such as the Schwetzingen SWR Festival, the Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Festival, the Salzburg Summer Festival, Young Euro Classics Berlin, Dialog of the 4 cultures in Lodz and at the tide festival. His chamber music partners include artists such as Yuri Bashmet, Jens-Peter Maintz, Patrick Demenga and Michail Lifits. Several radio recordings for SWR2, HR2 and Deutschlandradio documented his artistic work.
Maximilian Simon was a scholarship holder of the Rheinland-Pfalz Future Initiative (ZIRP), the Orchestra Academy of the Staatskapelle Berlin and the Villa Musica Rheinland-Pfalz, which loaned him two violins (Sanctus Seraphin and Vincenzo Panormo) for two years each.
In the Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester Berlin, Maximilian Simon plays a violin by Nicolo Amati from 1623, which is generously loaned to him from a private collection. In addition, he is an author at the Ries & Erler music publisher: together with his colleague Nadine Contini he has published the work “Carl Flesch: The Art of Violin Playing, compactly edited by Maximilian Simon and Nadine Contini” in November 2020. As an ongoing bestseller, the book has already won the prestigious „Best Edition“ – Price by the German Music Publishing Association.
We invite all violin players to participate in master class which will followed by the round table discussion focused on:
Stage fright, How to practice scales properly, Vibrato.
All participants will be able to ask questions and share their opinion during the discussion.
Date & time: March,13 2024
12:00 Master Сlasses
14:00 Round Table
Venue: Arno Babajanyan Concert Hall, 2 Abovyan St.
Language: English
Admission: FREE for everyone, registration required
I WANT TO COME AS:
Whether as a soloist, chamber musician or as deputy section leader of the 2nd violins of the Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, Maximilian Simon inspires on stage with self-confident sovereignty, technical brilliance, expressive playing and his noticeably infectious enthusiasm for music. Curious by nature and open to challenges, the charismatic musician and GEWA Music Brand Ambassador manages to convince his listeners offline and online not only with the standard works of the repertoire, but also with contemporary and unknown music.
Highlights of his past appearances as a soloist were concerts with Yuri Bashmet in Rostov am Dom and in the Moscow Conservatory with the violin concerto by Beethoven and the Concerto funèbre by Karl Amadeus Hartmann. In the Berlin Philharmonie, the audience listened to him visibly spellbound as he interpreted the late romantic violin concerto by Erich J. Wolff with the Berliner Symphoniker under the baton of Lior Shambadal – as “sung touchingly, as virtuosically brilliant”, as the press judged and the jubilation in the hall confirmed.
Born in Koblenz in 1988, Maximilian began playing the violin at the age of six and won his first competition just a year later. Numerous other awards followed before he studied at the Berlin University of Music “Hanns Eisler” (Prof. Wallin) and at the University of Music and Theater Hanover (Prof. Wegrzyn) and passed his concert exam. He received valuable artistic impulses in master classes, among others, with Pierre Amoyal, Vadim Gluzman and Christian Tetzlaff. Maximilian Simon made his solo debut in 2009 with the Folkwang Chamber Orchestra Essen.
Subsequently, engagements took him to the Rheinische Philharmonie Koblenz, the Jenaer Philharmonie, the Symphony Orchestra of the Far East and the Moscow Soloists as well as to renowned festivals such as the Schwetzingen SWR Festival, the Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Festival, the Salzburg Summer Festival, Young Euro Classics Berlin, Dialog of the 4 cultures in Lodz and at the tide festival. His chamber music partners include artists such as Yuri Bashmet, Jens-Peter Maintz, Patrick Demenga and Michail Lifits. Several radio recordings for SWR2, HR2 and Deutschlandradio documented his artistic work.
Maximilian Simon was a scholarship holder of the Rheinland-Pfalz Future Initiative (ZIRP), the Orchestra Academy of the Staatskapelle Berlin and the Villa Musica Rheinland-Pfalz, which loaned him two violins (Sanctus Seraphin and Vincenzo Panormo) for two years each.
In the Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester Berlin, Maximilian Simon plays a violin by Nicolo Amati from 1623, which is generously loaned to him from a private collection. In addition, he is an author at the Ries & Erler music publisher: together with his colleague Nadine Contini he has published the work “Carl Flesch: The Art of Violin Playing, compactly edited by Maximilian Simon and Nadine Contini” in November 2020. As an ongoing bestseller, the book has already won the prestigious „Best Edition“ – Price by the German Music Publishing Association.
We continue our work in Armenian regions by exploring new communities and meeting new friends. On February 16, 2024, we were thrilled to visit Dilijan State Art College for the first time. We had the pleasure of meeting with the college’s Director, Mrs Hasmik Musayelovna, who played a vital role in creating a magical atmosphere for the concert. She also shared insightful updates on the current state of musical education in Dilijan, sharing valuable advice.
Valeria Galimova was deeply impressed by the openness and warmth of the local audience. She also gave a public talk, sharing her career story and experience of moving to Germany and studying there. We hope to return to Dilijan very soon!
We continue working in Armenian regions and discovering and nurturing young talents. Click the SUPPORT button to join us on this meaningful journey!
On February 15, 2024, the Primavera Foundation Mentor, classical guitarist Valeria Galimova, delighted the audience with her first-ever recital in Ijevan, Armenia. The concert program features the works of J. Turina, F. Schubert, R. Dyens, and C. Domeniconi.
Following the concert, Valeria gave all her attention and care to seven young Armenian musicians under the auspices of the foundation Artistic Training Program and ran master classes. Seeing the students improving their skills under Valeria’s guidance was heartwarming.
A special thank you to the warm and welcoming community of Ijevan, the director Aida jan, and the teachers of Ijevan Music School!
On February 14, 2024, we welcomed our Classical Guitar Program Mentor Valeria Galimova in Yerevan! Valeria committed herself to a tight schedule with a bunch of educational activities. Valerya starts with a workshop on Physiology for Classical Guitarists and shared exercises for posture, finger strength, agility, and flexibility, warming up techniques, and post-practice routines to prevent body pain (we bet not only guitarists are sitting hours long!). Then Valeria performed a recital featuring pieces by F. Schubert, K. Mertz, and R. Dyens. The day program continued with a Public Talk. Valeria shared insights on moving and studying in Germany, covering financial planning, admission exams, academics, and the German lifestyle. Finally, Ms Galimova ran a classical guitar master class working on Johann Kaspar Mertz’s Tarantella with Lilit Sargsyan.
We filmed everything! Don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube Channel and never miss a beat!
A big thank you to our partner, the Arno Babajanyan Concert Hall!
Why in France? What is the story behind the Visages d’Armenie Festival closing concert? How did the Russian girl fall in love with Armenia in 2012, and how is the mission of the Primavera Foundation Armenia connected with the foundation’s activities?
Join the “Глумово утро “show on Radio Van FM 103.1 with our Co-founder & Executive Director Elena Yakovleva, who shared insights about our first-year findings, plans and the VISAGES D’ARMÉNIE FESTIVAL.
Many thanks to Egor Glumov & Gor Grigoryan for the conversation!
Discover more about the Visages d’Arménie Festival in the interview with Elena Yakovleva, Co-founder & Executive Director and Astghik Dallakyan, PR Manager on Armenian Public TV.
Check the latest update from Nouvel Hay Magazine about our first ever international event – VISAGES D’ARMÉNIE FESTIVAL in France!
In September 2023, everyone involved in the Primavera Foundation’s activities gathered in Yerevan to celebrate its first anniversary!
A1plus interviewed the foundation’s co-founder, Anastasia Boudanoque (USA/France), and board members Marc de Mauny (France) and Vasily Pasetchnik (Malaysia). Check out the insightful talk about their connections to the foundation, Armenia, and their future ideas and plans.
Special thanks to our PR manager Ms. Asthik Dalakyan for making this happen!
Valeria has graced prestigious events globally, including performances at the Moscow Festivals – Guitar Chamber Music and “Guitar Virtuosi”.
In 2022, she completed her master’s degree at the Hochschule für Musik Franz Liszt in Weimar, Germany, and now starting after a Master’s degree at Hochschule für Musik Carl Maria von Weber, class Prof. Thomas Fellow.
Valeria will be giving concerts, reading a lecture on physiology for classical guitarists, conducting master classes for Armenian classical guitarists, and hosting a public talk on moving and studying in Germany.
We are honored to welcome Valeria as the Classical Guitar Mentor at the Primavera Foundation Academy.
I WANT TO COME AS (registration is a must):
We invite all classical guitar teachers and anyone interested to join the Seminar & Public Talk
Date: February 14, 2024
Venue: Yerevan, Arno Babajanyan Concert Hall (2 Abovyan St.)
Language: English & Russian
Price: FREE for everyone
Are you a dedicated classical guitar player? Regular practice can lead to long-term health issues, but here are ways to avoid pain and struggles. Join Valeria Galimova’s lecture on crucial physiological aspects for classical guitarists, where you’ll learn about:
This lecture is a must for Classical Guitar teachers!
Program:
F. Schubert/ J.K. Mertz – Ständchen, Lob der Tränen, Aufenthalt
R. Dyens – El Choclo
Thinking of studying abroad? Join our public talk with Valeria Galimova — Primavera Foundation Mentor and world-known Classical Guitarist. She will share everything you need to know about moving and studying in Germany, and exactly:
We highly recommend everyone to join and prepare the questions beforehand!
«Passionate player and rigorous respecting the musical rules; her patience, perfectionism, dedication and wish to improve make a perfect combination to achieve the highest level of excellence … a big heart and a person determined to make her dreams come true.» – Ricardo Gallen (Spain).
Already at a young age, Valeria Galimova showed her originality and tremendous talent as a guitarist. At the age of 14, and as a student in a Russian music school, Valeria was invited to serve as an artist and a jury member at a international children’s festival competition in Puebla, Mexico. During the years of her professional activity, she was awarded one of the Prizes of the President of Russia and won the gold medal at the Delphic Games in 2014. She has also won 10 first prizes at national and international competitions.
In 2018 she performed the world premiere of the Suite “The Dance” for guitar and string quartet as part of the 2nd Moscow Festival of Guitar Chamber Music “The Golden Finfegboards». The same year she took part in the production of the Astor Piazzolla’s tango-opera «Maria de Buenos Aires» in the orchestra «Leggiero» in the Rachmaninov Hall of the Moscow State Tchaikowsky Conservatory.
In 2020 Valeria performed a solo concert at the world-famous festival «Guitar Virtuosi» in the Chamber Hall of the Moscow Philharmonic.
In July 2022 Valeria completed her master’s degree at the Hochschule für Musik Franz Liszt in Weimar, Germany under the direction of Prof. Ricardo Gallén.
In August 2022 She completed a guitar-making course in Granada by Pavel Gavruyshov’s Guitarreria and built her guitar.
In addition to this, In June 2023 Valeria completed a certificate course in music physiology. She is lecturing and giving workshops internationally.
Currently, Valeria is engaged in the development of her career. She performs at various concerts and festivals as a soloist, as well as part of chamber ensembles.
Valeria plays the guitar by luthier Paco Santiago Marin, 50 Anniversary. Since 2021 Valeria Galimova is a Knobloch Artist.
Valeria has graced prestigious events globally, including performances at the Moscow Festivals – Guitar Chamber Music and “Guitar Virtuosi”.
In 2022, she completed her master’s degree at the Hochschule für Musik Franz Liszt in Weimar, Germany, and now starting after a Master’s degree at Hochschule für Musik Carl Maria von Weber, class Prof. Thomas Fellow.
Valeria will be giving concerts, reading a lecture on physiology for classical guitarists, conducting master classes for Armenian classical guitarists, and hosting a public talk on moving and studying in Germany.
We are honored to welcome Valeria as the Classical Guitar Mentor at the Primavera Foundation Academy.
I WANT TO COME AS (registration is a must):
Date: February 15, 2024
Venue: Ijevan Children’s Music School, 1 Melibekian Street
Language: Russian
Price: FREE for everyone
Program:
J. Turina – Fantasia Sevillana
F. Schubert/ J.K. Mertz – Ständchen, Lob der Tränen, Aufenthalt
R. Dyens – El Choclo
C. Domeniconi – Suite Koyunbaba
«Passionate player and rigorous respecting the musical rules; her patience, perfectionism, dedication and wish to improve make a perfect combination to achieve the highest level of excellence … a big heart and a person determined to make her dreams come true.» – Ricardo Gallen (Spain).
Already at a young age, Valeria Galimova showed her originality and tremendous talent as a guitarist. At the age of 14, and as a student in a Russian music school, Valeria was invited to serve as an artist and a jury member at a international children’s festival competition in Puebla, Mexico. During the years of her professional activity, she was awarded one of the Prizes of the President of Russia and won the gold medal at the Delphic Games in 2014. She has also won 10 first prizes at national and international competitions.
In 2018 she performed the world premiere of the Suite “The Dance” for guitar and string quartet as part of the 2nd Moscow Festival of Guitar Chamber Music “The Golden Finfegboards». The same year she took part in the production of the Astor Piazzolla’s tango-opera «Maria de Buenos Aires» in the orchestra «Leggiero» in the Rachmaninov Hall of the Moscow State Tchaikowsky Conservatory.
In 2020 Valeria performed a solo concert at the world-famous festival «Guitar Virtuosi» in the Chamber Hall of the Moscow Philharmonic.
In July 2022 Valeria completed her master’s degree at the Hochschule für Musik Franz Liszt in Weimar, Germany under the direction of Prof. Ricardo Gallén.
In August 2022 She completed a guitar-making course in Granada by Pavel Gavruyshov’s Guitarreria and built her guitar.
In addition to this, In June 2023 Valeria completed a certificate course in music physiology. She is lecturing and giving workshops internationally.
Currently, Valeria is engaged in the development of her career. She performs at various concerts and festivals as a soloist, as well as part of chamber ensembles.
Valeria plays the guitar by luthier Paco Santiago Marin, 50 Anniversary. Since 2021 Valeria Galimova is a Knobloch Artist.
Valeria has graced prestigious events globally, including performances at the Moscow Festivals – Guitar Chamber Music and “Guitar Virtuosi”.
In 2022, she completed her master’s degree at the Hochschule für Musik Franz Liszt in Weimar, Germany, and now starting after a Master’s degree at Hochschule für Musik Carl Maria von Weber, class Prof. Thomas Fellow.
Valeria will be giving concerts, reading a lecture on physiology for classical guitarists, conducting master classes for Armenian classical guitarists, and hosting a public talk on moving and studying in Germany.
We are honored to welcome Valeria as the Classical Guitar Mentor at the Primavera Foundation Academy.
I WANT TO COME AS (registration is a must):
Date: February 16, 2024
Venue: Dilijan State Art College,Kalinin St. 58
Language: Russian
Price: FREE for everyone
Program:
J. Turina – Fantasia Sevillana
F. Schubert/ J.K. Mertz – Ständchen, Lob der Tränen, Aufenthalt
R. Dyens – El Choclo
C. Domeniconi – Suite Koyunbaba
«Passionate player and rigorous respecting the musical rules; her patience, perfectionism, dedication and wish to improve make a perfect combination to achieve the highest level of excellence … a big heart and a person determined to make her dreams come true.» – Ricardo Gallen (Spain).
Already at a young age, Valeria Galimova showed her originality and tremendous talent as a guitarist. At the age of 14, and as a student in a Russian music school, Valeria was invited to serve as an artist and a jury member at a international children’s festival competition in Puebla, Mexico. During the years of her professional activity, she was awarded one of the Prizes of the President of Russia and won the gold medal at the Delphic Games in 2014. She has also won 10 first prizes at national and international competitions.
In 2018 she performed the world premiere of the Suite “The Dance” for guitar and string quartet as part of the 2nd Moscow Festival of Guitar Chamber Music “The Golden Finfegboards». The same year she took part in the production of the Astor Piazzolla’s tango-opera «Maria de Buenos Aires» in the orchestra «Leggiero» in the Rachmaninov Hall of the Moscow State Tchaikowsky Conservatory.
In 2020 Valeria performed a solo concert at the world-famous festival «Guitar Virtuosi» in the Chamber Hall of the Moscow Philharmonic.
In July 2022 Valeria completed her master’s degree at the Hochschule für Musik Franz Liszt in Weimar, Germany under the direction of Prof. Ricardo Gallén.
In August 2022 She completed a guitar-making course in Granada by Pavel Gavruyshov’s Guitarreria and built her guitar.
In addition to this, In June 2023 Valeria completed a certificate course in music physiology. She is lecturing and giving workshops internationally.
Currently, Valeria is engaged in the development of her career. She performs at various concerts and festivals as a soloist, as well as part of chamber ensembles.
Valeria plays the guitar by luthier Paco Santiago Marin, 50 Anniversary. Since 2021 Valeria Galimova is a Knobloch Artist.
Cellist, conductor and composer Denis Shapovalov has given masterclasses all over the world and in 2014 he started his own teaching project – The Cello International Travel Academy. Since then Cello Travel International Academy regularly runs series of masterclasses in Europe, Asia and South America.
FREE ENTRANCE
Date & Time: 23 December, 16:30
Location: Aram Khachaturian Museum, 3 Zarobyan Street, Yerevan
Admission: FREE for everyone
I WANT TO COME AS:
Denis Shapovalov Russian-Israeli cellist, conductor and composer, classical, jazz and rock performer, cello professor and coach. He was invited to give masterclasses at the leading music institutions including Svizzera Italiana Conservatory in Lugano, Santa-Cecilia Conservatory in Rome, Giuseppe Verdi Conservatory in Milan, Perosi Academy of Music in Piemont, Belgrade University of Arts, Jazeps Vitols Latvian Academy of Music, etc.
Graduated from the Moscow State Conservatory where Denis studied with professor Natalia Shakhovskaya. Being a student Shapovalov won the Gold medal and First prize at the XI Tchaikovsky Competition.
After finishing the post-graduate course, when Denis was just 26 years old he was invited to the Moscow State Conservatory, where he was a professor for 11 years.
During 25 years of his career Shapovalov has performed in world major concert halls such as Musikverein, Concertgebouw, Barbican Hall, Avery Fisher Hall, Suntory Hall, and others all over the world with top-level orchestras including London Symphony, Bayerische Rundfunk, NHK, etc. under leading conductors.
Denis has given masterclasses all over the world and in 2014 he started his own teaching project – The Cello International Travel Academy. Since then Cello Travel International Academy regularly runs series of masterclasses in Europe, Asia and South America.
Being a diversified musician, who has an experience of working in and with orchestras, and as well in different chamber ensembles, Denis elaborated his own teaching method to reach the highest quality of performance in the shortest possible way.
All active participants are requested to register and must bring printed sheet music with them!
Date & time: 8 December 2023
Venue: Charentsavan, Charentsavan Music Schoool (Ogakain St. 11)
Program:
Henrik Melikyan
Vahan Sargsyan
Date & time: 8 December 2023
Venue: Charentsavan, Charentsavan Music school
Language: Armenian
Admission: FREE for everyone, registration required
I WANT TO COME AS:
Our classical guitar tutors, Vahan Sargsyan, and Henrik Melikyan, consistently travel to Armenian regions, bringing emotional support through music with the series of concerts dedicated to Artsakh refugees. In Cherentsavan, they also gave classical guitar master classes to young Armenian musicians right after the performance.
We are thrilled and proud to continue our commitment to supporting Armenians!
Explore the connection between music, education, and Armenia in an interview with Mr. Alexey Cherkanov, CEO of the Bureau of Unusual Travel in Armenia, known as “Urban Armenia.” Mrs. Maria Kikina in a conversation with Mr. Cherkanov, revealing his thoughts on the significance of supporting educational and cultural initiatives, his choice to back the Primavera Foundation, and his personal ties to music and Armenia.
The Primavera Foundation extends heartfelt thanks to Alexey Cherkanov. His commitment crucial for the work of the foundation!
Алексей Черканов, CEO Бюро необычных путешествий по Армении “Urban Armenia”.
Я знаю, что фонд занимается развитием классической музыки, организует концерты, и, как я понимаю, оказывает поддержку талантливым детям и просто детям, которые занимаются музыкой.
Я слушаю музыку, много слушаю музыку. Я играю на гитаре, я играю даже на барабанах и вообще музыка для меня – это неотъемлемая составляющая жизни. В какой-то момент я увлекся классической музыкой, потому что я такого услышал дядю – Михаила Казиника, он популяризатор классической музыки, очень прикольный дядя, у него на радио Орфей была программа своя, где он просто очень много всего рассказывал и разбирал музыки, иногда с ним были скрипачи или на фортепиано играл его приятель, они буквально играли какие-то баховские фуги и прелюдии, и он прямо что-то разжевывал: “а вот здесь вот это, а это вот так”, я супер им увлекся через именно вот такую подачу. Вобщем да, академическая музыка, такая вещь, это не Клава Кока, в маршрутке ее услышишь, и тебе не понравится, то есть элемент просвещения важен, потому что не все могут вот так просто так заинтересоваться.
Да получилось довольно случайно, честно говоря. Это как бы в ту же сторону спич, что я был в Армении проездом. Когда запретили прямые рейсы в Грузию, мы ездили в Грузию в поход и поехали через Армению, ну заложили день-два туда, день-два обратно и не могу сказать, что на меня произвело какое-то впечателение пребывание в Ереване, куда-то мы еще выехали рядом, но не больше. Когда началась СВО просто была возможность – жена работала в IT компании и им сказали буквально на следующий день, хотите летите в Ереван. Я говорю, ну я был в Ереване, там как бы норм. Не рай на земле, но норм. И все, и улетели. Дальше уже здесь по чуть-чуть стали узнавать, что тут происходит, и пошло-поехало и вот мы до сих пор открываем все новые и новые штуки.
Мы взаимодействуем достаточно просто в косвенном ключе, потому что мы с Женей (Евгения Случак – член Попечительского совета фонда, прим. ред) познакомились давно, в начале всей этой армянской истории. В какой-то момент она сказала, что у нее машина большая ее, минивэн, она нам как раз посоветовала один завод здоровенный. “Вот я туда ездила, скажите, что вы от Жени на большой машине серебристой” и в какой-то момент я ей пишу, может мы у тебя эту машину возьмем в аренду, потому что нам надо было куда-то поехать и она нам идеально подходила. И она сказала, что да можно, но я эту машину перевожу на баланс фонда, и мы можем ее брать, согласовав время и благодарность за это в виде донейшна в фонд мы перечисляем. В общем таким вот образом мы осуществляем поддержку фонду на взаимовыгодных условиях.
Нам безусловно приятнее платить в фонд, чем в прокат машин.
О культуре и развитии туризма в Армении
Алексей Черканов, CEO Бюро необычных путешествий по Армении “Urban Armenia”.
Во первых, мне кажется, что в принципе Армения – глубокая, интересная страна, мы как релоканты, которые занимаются туризмом смогли это понять, донести нашей аудитории, но в целом и туристы, и армяне, которые живут в Ереване, не особо путешествуют. Например, диалог с такситом: “Ты там в Гарни был? Нет”. Начинаешь ему про Мегри рассказывать, а он там не был никогда. Для него кажется это очень далеко ехать 5-6 часов, особенно Сюник и все, что с ним связано, нам очень нравится, поэтому мы туда стараемся ездить как можно чаще. Хотя все едут в Татев, кататься на канатной дороге, а все супер интересное начинается как раз за Татевом.
Капан
Там есть Капан, поскольку там промышленность горнодобывающая развита, то есть город, в котором есть указатели на велопарковки, какие-то нарисованные велодорожки – это такой странный вайб, и при этом нет ни одного велосипедиста, естественно в городе. Но тем не менее ты не ожидаешь это увидеть, ты такой, окей, есть центр Еревана, есть Дилижан – который уже как деревня и вдруг ты приезжаешь в Капан и такой “ого”, а оказывается в Армении есть еще такие города. Вот как есть Россия, и есть Москва, то есть там тоже возникает такое ощущение – есть какие-то скверы, тротуары, даже плитка уложена, похожая на московскую. Он прям ухоженный, классный и хочется провести там какое-то время. Единственное, до него очень далеко ехать, хотя в нем даже есть построили аэропорт маленький, точнее он там был, просто его недоделали, только провели тестовый полет, в общем, если сделать полеты он станет доступен нормально. Стопудово можно развивать Капан.
Мегри и Горис
За ним есть Мегри, который уже на границе с Ираном вообще, и там тоже красиво, вообще все по-другому, это прям какой-то вайб восточный, там пустынные места. В Капане наоборот лес и горы. Там гора Хуступ, очень крутая, и очень почитаемая здесь, на этом Хуступе еще могила Гарегин Нжде. Но вообщем много чего можно делать, туда просто тяжело доехать, но когда люди сюда доедут, они потом такие “ого-го”. Плюс и Горис там с этим пещерным городом. В общем мы фанаты Сюника, потому что он какой-то настоящий.
Да, я слышал об этом! Там супер классно!
Ирония в том, что если я правильно понимаю, это вообще кузница бюджета Армении как государства, потому что там сосредоточены все недра. Там молибден, в Сюникской области лежит 11-12% мировых запасов молибдена, в этой маленькой штуке. А он какой-то редкий ценный металл, поэтому там как бы это важное место.
Для меня Армения как бы не знаю, атмосфера какая-то родная, хотя я из Москвы. Если бы я был из Анапы, то вообще не заметил бы никакой разницы или из Сочи. Но только в Армении я понял, что всю жизнь был окружен армянами! Просто я этого не замечал, я их не дифференцировал, что вот это армяне, а это не армяне. И поэтому тут у меня нет вообще ощущения, что я заграницей, поскольку настолько тесно связаны мы с ними, а они с нами.
Я кстати, всегда думал, что это все началось с Советского союза, и только тут мне объяснили (кстати, в ключе поездки в Мегри), что Мегри например, освободила Российская Империя в ходе какой-то русско-персидской войны какого-то бородатого года и с тех пор закончились набеги мусульман с той стороны. Мне сосед объяснил, что именно оттуда идет хорошее отношение и в этом причина. Мы нашли здесь в Лори (это в копилку направлений!) еще поселения, там если на карте посмотреть, там одни русские названия. Все знают Молокан, но это не молокане, это обычные православные, которые там еще немножко есть, это именно потомки офицеров, то есть, когда Российская Империя свои рубежи перенесла сюда в закавказье, здесь разместили офицерский корпус, который стоял на границе. И вот там до сих пор есть деревня Привольное, в ней есть церковь православная, в ней есть бабушка Вера Ивановна, с которой мы дружим, она нас кормит, когда мы приезжаем, в церковь мы с ней ходим, она в колокола дает нам позвонить, а мы ей например, забор покрасим, еще что-нибудь сделаем и вот мне объяснили, что это еще с тех времен, поэтому отсюда отношение и заложено оно давно.
Об индустриальном туризме
В первую очередь Армения – это хорошее отношение и ну в общем просто какое-то ощущение, что я не уезжал отсюда, ощущение дома, плюс природа. Поскольку у нас есть техногенные и прочие поездки на всякие заброшенные заводы и шахты – это как раз последствия Советского Союза, все равно столько всего здесь внутри не было никак развито, ну не знаю, наверное не было аудитории такой. Армянам эти заброшки неинтересны, а у нас все приехали услышали про этот 50-метровый телескоп, который где-то на горе до сих пор стоит, его можно приехать посмотреть, в общем это невероятно! В России везде охрана сидит, либо все закрыто, никого никуда не пускают, либо все военное, проникнешь куда-то не туда, тебе еще впаяют за это! А тут приехал тебе “барев дзес” ты – “барев дзес”, и все пошли, тебе еще предложат абрикосы, водки на абрикосах и так далее. Это вторая была штука такая, что вся армянская действительность под наш подход и наш запрос, она идеально ложится. Поэтому для нас выбор очевиден.
Ну в основном, да, есть еще армяне – в основном армяне-айтишники, либо московские армяне, и уже в качестве исключения сами местные. Например, с нами ходит одна бабушка, ей 72 года, она чемпионка Армянской ССР по теннису, и она ходит с нами в походы. Прикольная такая бабушка курит вейп, ходит в bluetooth наушниках.
Беседовала – Мария Кикина
In conversation with Mrs. Maria Kikina Mr. Gudzenko reveals his connections with Armenia, talks on why he is supporting educational and cultural initiatives, as well as his choice of the Primavera Foundation.
Dmitry Gudzenko holds the title of Candidate of Technical Sciences and is a graduate of Bauman Moscow State Technical University. He is a founder and director of the Specialist Computer Training Center at Moscow State Technical University (N.E. Bauman). Mr. Gudzenko is an author of over 50 publications on additional education in the field of information technology. He also serves as a Consultant for ARMCYBERSEC LLC in Yerevan on on numerous educational projects.
Our endless gratitude to Mr. Dmitry Gudzenko for his invaluable support and dedication!
Дмитрий Гудзенко – кандидат технических наук, выпускник МГТУ имени Баумана, основатель и руководитель Центра компьютерного обучения «Специалист» при МГТУ им. Н.Э. Баумана, автор более 50 публикаций по вопросам дополнительного образования в области информационных технологий, Консультант компании ARMCYBERSEC LLC по образовательным проектам.
Этот фонд создан для того, чтобы помогать молодым армянским музыкантам, и меня особенно привлекает, что основной акцент делается на обучении. Именно это мне близко. Культура – это такая вещь, которая должна быть обязательно поддержана, это очень важно. Мы все культурой пользуемся, и я, как технический человек, но кто-то должен ее сохранять, поддерживать и “нести” дальше.
Начнем с того, что моя мать – армянка, и Армения страна для меня абсолютно не чужая. Культура, историческое наследие армянского народа – это и мое наследие, в том числе. Для меня не было вопроса почему я хочу поддерживать именно этот фонд, вопрос решился очень просто: “по зову крови”.
Я – технарь, у меня всегда было хорошо с точными науками, математикой, программированием, финансами, я не гуманитарий. До какого-то момента я немножко не понимал, зачем нужны гуманитарии, если, как говорится, мир создан технарями?! И только в зрелом возрасте я осознал, что есть такое понятие “культура” и, что гуманитарии нужны, чтобы эту культуру поддерживать, сохранять и приумножать.
Мы ходим нам концерты, я очень люблю оперу и балет. И каждый раз, когда я был на концерте, я понимал, что все это не может работать на самоокупаемости, что классическая музыка, в том числе, не может быть коммерческой, она никогда себя не окупит. Поэтому без серьезной поддержки, она никак не сможет существовать.
Второй момент, я всю жизнь, больше 30 лет, занимаюсь обучением взрослых в IT сфере по информационным технологиям (программирование, сетевые технологии). И я всегда старался делать это на основе предпринимательской сути и свободы: ориентируясь на рынок, я сам выбираю чему учить. Мне близка идея фонда, что культуру должны поддерживать люди добровольно, а не только через государственную политику, через налоги, а должна быть обязательно именно волонтерская поддержка сферы культуры.
Есть вещи, которые можно делать за деньги, есть такие вещи, как, например, высшее образование, которое должно быть преимущественно бесплатным. Это то, что не имеет сиюминутной ценности, но имеет вечную ценность, помогает людям раскрыть себя.
Когда обсуждали как я могу помочь фонду, меня приятно порадовал индивидуальный подход к партнеру и его пожеланиям. Мне предложили помочь именно в IT-сфере, в которой я специалист – создание и поддержание веб-сайта фонда. Мне подробно рассказывают, на что потрачены те деньги, которые я перечислил в фонд, очень скрупулезная и бережная отчетность. Для меня такая прозрачность была открытием, я не привык к этому, и был приятно удивлен. Отчетность и информированность о деятельности фонда выше всяких похвал!
Я прочитал отчет – очень интересно! Меня лично мотивирует продолжать поддерживать фонд то, что главным вектором было выбрано именно обучение. 30 лет я нахожусь в сфере образования, и я в нее верю. То, что основной упор был сделан именно на обучении очень соответствует моим ценностям, ведь добиться изменений мы можем только через передачу знаний. Образовательные активности, в том числе мастер-классы, способствуют развитию музыкантов. А это ведь не про сиюминутное. Это про жизнь людей, про возможности их реализации!
Кстати, было бы очень интересно в отчет фонда вставлять видеофрагменты!
Беседовала – Мария Кикина.
We’re thrilled to bring the latest update from our ongoing educational trips: on November 30, 2023 Armenian classical guitarists Vahan Sargsyan & Henrik Melikyan went to the Hrazdan Music School, where they gave a performance and run inspiring master classes for eight young musicians, who performed works by Matteo Carcassi, Isaac Albeniz, L. van Beethoven, Francisco Tarrega, Alexandr Ivanov-Kramskoi, Jose Ferrer and Vicente Gomez.
We are delighted to start our collaboration with the Hrazdan Music School in Kotayk!
Stay tuned for upcoming events as we continue to bring new and exciting musical experiences to different regions. Your support makes these initiatives possible – click SUPPORT now! Every small donation makes a huge difference!
All active participants are requested to register and must bring printed sheet music with them!
Date & time: 30 November 2023
Venue: Hrazdan, Hradan Music Schoool (Microdistrict district, building 106)
Program:
Henrik Melikyan
Vahan Sargsyan
Date & time: 30 November 2023
Venue: Hrazdan, Hrazdan Music school
Language: Armenian
Admission: FREE for everyone, registration required
I WANT TO COME AS:
All active participants are requested to register and must bring printed sheet music with them!
Date & time: 23 November 2023
Venue: Ashtarak, Ashtarak Music Schoool (Ashtaraketsi Square 10)
Program:
Henrik Melikyan
Vahan Sargsyan
Date & time: 23 November 2023
Venue: Ashtarak, Ashtarak Music Schoool (Ashtaraketsi Square 10)
Language: Armenian
Admission: FREE for everyone, registration required
I WANT TO COME AS:
Exciting news from our education program: we started to work in Kotayk! Our dedicated classical guitar tutors, Vahan Sargsyan and Henrik Melikyan, kicked off the initiative with heartwarming music concerts dedicated to Artsakh refugees. They also run the classical guitar master classes for local young musicians, providing guidance and professional advice.
We are thrilled and proud to continue our commitment to supporting Armenian musicians. Here are the latest updates on our collaboration with the classical guitarists Vahan Sargsyan & Henrik Melikyan:
Concerts for Artsakh refugees: As part of our ongoing commitment, the Primavera Foundation is conducting a series of free music concerts dedicated to Artsakh refugees. The aim is to offer them moments of joy and solace through the powerful language of music.
Classical Master Classes for Local Students: In alignment with our mission, we are also hosting classical master classes for local students, providing them with valuable learning experiences and fostering their musical talents.
We returned to the Noyemberian Cultural Center on November 18, 2023 with Nikita Nedelko’s solo recital, that was a part of the foundation commitment to bringing classical music to Armenian regions, and inspiring youngsters to come to the classical music performaces.
“The concert at the Noyemberian Cultural Center initiated by the Primavera Foundation of Armenia took place for the second time. Primavera strives to make classical music accessible in regions, discovers gifted children and creates opportunities for them to perform. This time, one of the most prominent representatives of young classical guitarists in Russia, Nikita Nedelko, performed on our stage. He has performed concert tours in a number of great countries and won more than 30 awards. The concert was fantastic, the technical mastery of the music cannot be expressed in words. Thanks to the Primavera Foundation team, thanks to Nikita Nedelko, Thanks to the team of the Noyemberyan House of Culture and always ready Սոնյա Զուրաբյան thanks to our warm audience ❤️” – Mrs. Karine Alexanyan, the Primavera Foundation representative in Tavush.
We are thrilled to continue our mission of making classical music accessible in regions, discovering and nurturing young talents. Click SUPPORT button to take part in our mission!
We had a very productive time at Nikita Nedelko’s classical guitar master class at the Ijevan Music School on November 17, 2023. Seven talented young students performed works by Carulli, Giuliani, Lecuona, Tiomkin among the others.
A huge gratitude to Nikita Nedelko for creating an awesome day of learning and musical exploration. Your expertise and passion makes a great impact, and with plan to continue.
We extend our sincere appreciation to the Ijevan music school for hosting us and fostering the growth of musical talent in the region. Your support is invaluable!
Nikita will give master classes for Armenian classical guitarists, run a seminar for teachers and students in Yerevan, and also perform in several Armenian towns.
We are honoured to introduce Nikita as the Guitar Educational Program Mentor at the Primavera Foundation Academy.
FREE ENTRANCE CONCERT
Date & Time: 18 November at 17:00
Venue: Noyemberyan Cultural House, Yerevanyan St. 4
Admission: FREE for everyone
G. Sanz – Suite of old Spanish dances
M. Llobet – Folia (Variations on a Theme of Sor, Op.15)
K. Vasiliev – Synestha
V. Asencio – Collectici intim
S. Rudnev – Variations on the Russian folk songs “Kalinushka”, “Kumanek”
M. Duplessi – Oulan Bator
Nikita Nedelko is one of the brightest representatives of the young generation Russian guitarists. Born in Vladivostok in 1993, he already performed in the USA, Germany, Italy, France, Spain, Serbia, and across Russia. Nikita began his guitar studies at the age of six under the guidance of Nadezhda Bushueva. He continued his education at a youth music school and the A.F. Murov Music State College in Novosibirsk, Russia in the class of Honoured Cultural Worker of the Russian Federation Yuri Kuzin. Nikita graduated with a distinction the Gnesin Russian Academy of Music in 2017 with a Bachelor degree, in 2019 with a Master degree, In 2021 with a assistant trainee under the guidance of Honored Artist of the Russian Federation professor Nikolay Komolyatov.
Nikita Nedelko is a laureate of over 30 Russian and international classical guitar competitions, including:
Nikita Nedelko performed at the Tchaikovsky Concert Hall and the Grand Hall of the Gnesin Academy of Music in Moscow, the State Academic Capella in St. Petersburg, the Grand Hall of the Rostropovich Philharmonic in Nizhny Novgorod, as well as many other cities in Russia. He appeared at the Music Academy (ESMUC) in Barcelona and the Teatro Cervantes in Petrer (Spain), the Jerison Music School in Antony (France), and the College of Arts in Omis (Croatia).
He collaborated with the Svetlanov State Academic Orchestra of Russia, the “Russian Philharmonic” Symphony Orchestra, “Musica Viva” Symphony Orchestra, the Russian Academic Orchestra (Novosibirsk), the Novosibirsk Chamber Symphony Orchestra, and the Russian Folk Instruments Orchestra at the Glinka Conservatory among the others.
Nikita participated in master classes by Aniello Desiderio (Italy), Marcin Dylla (Poland), Ricardo Gallen (Spain), Fabio Zanon (Brazil), Artyom Dervoed (Russia), and Rovshan Mamedkuliev (Russia).
In addition to his performance and recording career, Nikita Nedelko is actively involved in educational activities. He produces videos, gives master classes and interviews, serves as a judge at competitions, and appears on air on “Orpheus” radio, radio “Russia “, and “Jazz” radio. He is the author of the “Music For Children” project, and a part of the “Jongo Duo” ensemble with saxophone. Nikita frequently performs as a soloist with the NeoClassica orchestra.
Nikita Nedelko teaches at the College of Culture and Arts, and resides in Moscow, Russia.
Nikita will give master classes for Armenian classical guitarists, run a seminar for teachers and students in Yerevan, and also perform in several Armenian towns.
We are honoured to introduce Nikita as the Guitar Educational Program Mentor at the Primavera Foundation Academy.
I WANT TO COME AS:
Date & Time: 17 November, Master class 11:00 -17:00
Venue: Ijevan Children’s Music School, 1 Melibekian Street
Language: Russian
Admission: FREE for everyone
Nikita Nedelko is one of the brightest representatives of the young generation Russian guitarists. Born in Vladivostok in 1993, he already performed in the USA, Germany, Italy, France, Spain, Serbia, and across Russia. Nikita began his guitar studies at the age of six under the guidance of Nadezhda Bushueva. He continued his education at a youth music school and the A.F. Murov Music State College in Novosibirsk, Russia in the class of Honoured Cultural Worker of the Russian Federation Yuri Kuzin. Nikita graduated with a distinction the Gnesin Russian Academy of Music in 2017 with a Bachelor degree, in 2019 with a Master degree, In 2021 with a assistant trainee under the guidance of Honored Artist of the Russian Federation professor Nikolay Komolyatov.
Nikita Nedelko is a laureate of over 30 Russian and international classical guitar competitions, including:
Nikita Nedelko performed at the Tchaikovsky Concert Hall and the Grand Hall of the Gnesin Academy of Music in Moscow, the State Academic Capella in St. Petersburg, the Grand Hall of the Rostropovich Philharmonic in Nizhny Novgorod, as well as many other cities in Russia. He appeared at the Music Academy (ESMUC) in Barcelona and the Teatro Cervantes in Petrer (Spain), the Jerison Music School in Antony (France), and the College of Arts in Omis (Croatia).
He collaborated with the Svetlanov State Academic Orchestra of Russia, the “Russian Philharmonic” Symphony Orchestra, “Musica Viva” Symphony Orchestra, the Russian Academic Orchestra (Novosibirsk), the Novosibirsk Chamber Symphony Orchestra, and the Russian Folk Instruments Orchestra at the Glinka Conservatory among the others.
Nikita participated in master classes by Aniello Desiderio (Italy), Marcin Dylla (Poland), Ricardo Gallen (Spain), Fabio Zanon (Brazil), Artyom Dervoed (Russia), and Rovshan Mamedkuliev (Russia).
In addition to his performance and recording career, Nikita Nedelko is actively involved in educational activities. He produces videos, gives master classes and interviews, serves as a judge at competitions, and appears on air on “Orpheus” radio, radio “Russia “, and “Jazz” radio. He is the author of the “Music For Children” project, and a part of the “Jongo Duo” ensemble with saxophone. Nikita frequently performs as a soloist with the NeoClassica orchestra.
Nikita Nedelko teaches at the College of Culture and Arts, and resides in Moscow, Russia.
On November 16, 2023 Nikita Nedelko captured the audience with his debut recital in Ijevan, Armenia. The overwhelming turnout filled the venue with smiles and applause, and we extend our heartfelt gratitude to the audience – your support means the world to us! The concert program featured the works by G. Sanz, M. Llobet, K. Vasiliev, V. Asencio, S. Rudnev, and M. Duplessi. It was truly a captivating musical journey that spanned the rich traditions of Spain and Russia!
A special thank you to the warm-hearted community of Ijevan for the most gracious welcome and special thanks to the Ijevan Music School director and teachers for making this possible!
Nikita will give master classes for Armenian classical guitarists, run a seminar for teachers and students in Yerevan, and also perform in several Armenian towns.
We are honoured to introduce Nikita as the Guitar Educational Program Mentor at the Primavera Foundation Academy.
FREE ENTRANCE CONCERT
Date & Time: 16 November at 17:00
Venue: Ijevan Children’s Music School, 1 Melibekian Street
Admission: FREE for everyone
G. Sanz – Suite of old Spanish dances
M. Llobet – Folia (Variations on a Theme of Sor, Op.15)
K. Vasiliev – Synestha
V. Asencio – Collectici intim
S. Rudnev – Variations on the Russian folk songs “Kalinushka”, “Kumanek”
M. Duplessi – Oulan Bator
Nikita Nedelko is one of the brightest representatives of the young generation Russian guitarists. Born in Vladivostok in 1993, he already performed in the USA, Germany, Italy, France, Spain, Serbia, and across Russia. Nikita began his guitar studies at the age of six under the guidance of Nadezhda Bushueva. He continued his education at a youth music school and the A.F. Murov Music State College in Novosibirsk, Russia in the class of Honoured Cultural Worker of the Russian Federation Yuri Kuzin. Nikita graduated with a distinction the Gnesin Russian Academy of Music in 2017 with a Bachelor degree, in 2019 with a Master degree, In 2021 with a assistant trainee under the guidance of Honored Artist of the Russian Federation professor Nikolay Komolyatov.
Nikita Nedelko is a laureate of over 30 Russian and international classical guitar competitions, including:
Nikita Nedelko performed at the Tchaikovsky Concert Hall and the Grand Hall of the Gnesin Academy of Music in Moscow, the State Academic Capella in St. Petersburg, the Grand Hall of the Rostropovich Philharmonic in Nizhny Novgorod, as well as many other cities in Russia. He appeared at the Music Academy (ESMUC) in Barcelona and the Teatro Cervantes in Petrer (Spain), the Jerison Music School in Antony (France), and the College of Arts in Omis (Croatia).
He collaborated with the Svetlanov State Academic Orchestra of Russia, the “Russian Philharmonic” Symphony Orchestra, “Musica Viva” Symphony Orchestra, the Russian Academic Orchestra (Novosibirsk), the Novosibirsk Chamber Symphony Orchestra, and the Russian Folk Instruments Orchestra at the Glinka Conservatory among the others.
Nikita participated in master classes by Aniello Desiderio (Italy), Marcin Dylla (Poland), Ricardo Gallen (Spain), Fabio Zanon (Brazil), Artyom Dervoed (Russia), and Rovshan Mamedkuliev (Russia).
In addition to his performance and recording career, Nikita Nedelko is actively involved in educational activities. He produces videos, gives master classes and interviews, serves as a judge at competitions, and appears on air on “Orpheus” radio, radio “Russia “, and “Jazz” radio. He is the author of the “Music For Children” project, and a part of the “Jongo Duo” ensemble with saxophone. Nikita frequently performs as a soloist with the NeoClassica orchestra.
Nikita Nedelko teaches at the College of Culture and Arts, and resides in Moscow, Russia.
On November 15, 2023 we welcomed our Classical Guitar Program Mentor Nikita Nedelko in Armenia! Nikita run master classes for five young talented guitarists in Yerevan who performed pieces by Roland Dyens, Francisco Tarrega, Leo Brouwer and Dilermando Reis.
Even more! We shoot the master classes, and on the top of that, several educational videos with Nikita covering essential topics:
Preparation For a Competition Programming Enhancing a Musical Memory Posture, Left & Right Hands Positions, As Well As the Exercises For Both Hands
Subscribe to our YouTube Channel now and never miss a new educational video!
Big thank to our new partner the Arno Babajanyan Concert Hall! More exciting news is coming!
Nikita will give master classes for Armenian classical guitarists, run a seminar for teachers and students in Yerevan, and also perform in several Armenian towns.
We are honoured to introduce Nikita as the Guitar Educational Program Mentor at the Primavera Foundation Academy.
I WANT TO COME AS:
TIMETABLE:
Concert 11:00-11:30
Master-classes 11:40-16:30
Seminar 17:00-19:00
Venue: Yerevan, Arno Babajanyan Concert Hall (2 Abovyan St.)
Language: Russian (Armenian and English on request)
Price: FREE FOR EVERYONE
Nikita Nedelko is one of the brightest representatives of the young generation Russian guitarists. Born in Vladivostok in 1993, he already performed in the USA, Germany, Italy, France, Spain, Serbia, and across Russia. Nikita began his guitar studies at the age of six under the guidance of Nadezhda Bushueva. He continued his education at a youth music school and the A.F. Murov Music State College in Novosibirsk, Russia in the class of Honoured Cultural Worker of the Russian Federation Yuri Kuzin. Nikita graduated with a distinction the Gnesin Russian Academy of Music in 2017 with a Bachelor degree, in 2019 with a Master degree, In 2021 with a assistant trainee under the guidance of Honored Artist of the Russian Federation professor Nikolay Komolyatov.
Nikita Nedelko is a laureate of over 30 Russian and international classical guitar competitions, including:
Nikita Nedelko performed at the Tchaikovsky Concert Hall and the Grand Hall of the Gnesin Academy of Music in Moscow, the State Academic Capella in St. Petersburg, the Grand Hall of the Rostropovich Philharmonic in Nizhny Novgorod, as well as many other cities in Russia. He appeared at the Music Academy (ESMUC) in Barcelona and the Teatro Cervantes in Petrer (Spain), the Jerison Music School in Antony (France), and the College of Arts in Omis (Croatia).
He collaborated with the Svetlanov State Academic Orchestra of Russia, the “Russian Philharmonic” Symphony Orchestra, “Musica Viva” Symphony Orchestra, the Russian Academic Orchestra (Novosibirsk), the Novosibirsk Chamber Symphony Orchestra, and the Russian Folk Instruments Orchestra at the Glinka Conservatory among the others.
Nikita participated in master classes by Aniello Desiderio (Italy), Marcin Dylla (Poland), Ricardo Gallen (Spain), Fabio Zanon (Brazil), Artyom Dervoed (Russia), and Rovshan Mamedkuliev (Russia).
In addition to his performance and recording career, Nikita Nedelko is actively involved in educational activities. He produces videos, gives master classes and interviews, serves as a judge at competitions, and appears on air on “Orpheus” radio, radio “Russia “, and “Jazz” radio. He is the author of the “Music For Children” project, and a part of the “Jongo Duo” ensemble with saxophone. Nikita frequently performs as a soloist with the NeoClassica orchestra.
Nikita Nedelko teaches at the College of Culture and Arts, and resides in Moscow, Russia.
Nikita will give master classes for Armenian classical guitarists, run a seminar for teachers and students in Yerevan, and also perform in several Armenian towns.
We are honoured to introduce Nikita as the Guitar Educational Program Mentor at the Primavera Foundation Academy.
We invite all classical guitar teachers and any interested to join the Seminar that will be focused on:
All participants will be able to ask questions and share their opinions during the discussion.
Date & Time: 15 November 2023 • 17:00
Venue: Yerevan, Arno Babajanyan Concert Hall (2 Abovyan St.)
Language: Russian (Armenian and English on request)
Admission: FREE FOR EVERYONE, registration required
I WANT TO COME AS:
Никита Неделько – один из ярчайших представителей молодого поколения гитаристов России. Его выступления проходили в таких странах как США, Германия, Италия, Франция, Испания, Сербия и др. Родился в г.Владивосток в 1993 году. Заниматься на гитаре начал в возрасте 6 лет у Надежды Николаевны Бушуевой. Музыкальную школу и колледж им.А.Ф.Мурова окончил под руководством заслуженного работника культуры РФ Юрия Петровича Кузина в Новосибирске. В 2017г. с отличием заканчивает программу бакалавра, в 2019г. программу магистра, а в 2021г. ассистента-стажера в академии им.Гнесиных, в классе заслуженного артиста РФ, профессора, Комолятова Николая Андреевича. В настоящее время преподает в школе музыки «Guitardo» г. Москвы и в колледже культуры и искусств г. Химок. Живет в Москве.
Лауреат более 30 всероссийских и международных конкурсов, в числе которых:
Его выступления проходят на лучших концертных площадках страны: большой зал Академии им.Гнесиных, Государственная академическая капелла г.Санкт-Петербурга, большой зал филармонии им.Ростроповича (г.Нижний-Новгород), а так же в московской, тюменской, новосибирской, орловской филармониях и др. За рубежом – большой зал Академии Музыки (ESMUC) (г.Барселона, Испания), Музыкальная школа Джерсона (г.Антони, Франция), Театр Сервантеса (г.Петрер, Испания), Колледж искусств (г.Омиш, Хорватия).
Выступал с известными коллективами: Государственный академический симфонический оркестр Российской Федерации имени Е. Ф. Светланова, симфонический оркестр «Русская филармония» (Москва), Симфонический оркестр «Musica viva» (Москва), Русский Академический Оркестр г.Новосибирск, Малый симфонический оркестр «Новосибирск», Оркестр русских народных инструментов консерватории им.Глинки (Новосибирск), и др.
Брал мастер классы у таких выдающихся исполнителей, как: Аниелло Дезидерио (Италия), Марчен Дылла (Польша), Рикардо Гальен (Испания), Фабио Занон (Бразилия), Артем Дервоед (Россия), Ровшан Мамедкулиев (Россия).
Ведет активную просветительскую деятельность: записывает компакт диски, клипы, дает мастер классы и интервью, приглашается в жюри, на радио «Орфей», «Россия», «Jazz радио», является автором проекта «Музыка-детям» (г.Москва), играет в коллективе «Jongo Duo», выступает в качестве солиста оркестра «Neoclassica».
Meet violinist Maximilian Simon, the Primavera Foundation Educational Academy Violin Program Curator!
We are beyond excited to introduce German violinist Maximilian Simon, our Violin Program Curator of the Primavera Foundation Educational Academy. Maximilian is a soloist, a chamber musician, and the Deputy Section Leader of the 2nd Violins at the Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra (the Chief Conductor and Artistic Director Vladimir Jurowski).
Now we together with Maximilian are developing the set of the initiatives. Since Mr. Simon discovered Armenia and conducted master classes at the Komitas State Conservatory Branch in Gyumri and in Yerevan this September, he’s enthusiastic about working together to shape educational programs that will empower talented Armenian violinists.
Maximilian’s dedication to setting up high standards and mentoring students toward musical excellence forms our Violin Program, which was created to illuminate a bright future and create professional opportunities for musicians across Armenia.
To know more about Maximilian Simon please, click here.
We are beyond excited to share the news that the two Armenian musicians, classical guitarists Vahan Sargsyan and Henrik Melikyan, the students of Komitas State Conservatory in Yerevan have joined our Educational Academy! As the classical guitar Educational Academy tutors they run master classes in Gyumri: seven young Armenian musicians participants performed pieces by J. S. Bach, Alexander Vinitsky and Bartolomé Calatayud. Followed up by the beautiful performance of Henrik and Vahan for the Artsakh refugees, and those who supported them.
Due to your continuous donations all our events were free for master classes participants and the audience!
This is the very first step of our mission: to create a meaningful support system and professional network for Armenian musicians and teachers, sharing the healing power of the classical music and standing in solidarity with Artsakh.
Big thanks to the Gyumri Branch of Yerevan Komitas State Conservatory for your support and for making this day possible!
FREE FOR EVERYONE
All active participants are requested to register and must bring printed sheet music with them!
Date & time: 27 October 2023 • Master class 13:00
Language: Armenian
Admission: FREE for everyone, registration required
I WANT TO COME AS:
Venue: Gyumri, Branch of Yerevan Komitas State Conservatory (1 Ankakhutyan Square)
Heitor Villa Lobos-Prelude No1
Astor Piazzolla-Verano Porteño
Federico Moreno Torroba-Torija
Roland Dyens-Fuoco
Augustin Barrios Mangoré-El ultimo tremolo
Astor Piazzolla-Invierno Porteño
Roland Dyens-Felicidade
Mathias Duplessy-Cavalcade
We were delighted to welcome in Yerevan Spanish conductor Diego Martin Etxebarria for a performance dedicated to the National Day of Spain on October 12, 2023. The Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra with Armenian pianist Hayk Melikyan, brought to the audience the works by Faure, Manuel de Falla, and Turina.
This event wouldn’t have been possible without the generous support of the Embassy of Spain in Armenia in collaboration with the Primavera Foundation. A heartfelt thank you to all who contributed to make this evening happen!
Aram Khachaturian Concert Hall Concert with the generous support of the Embassy of Spain in Armenia and in collaboration with Primavera Foundation in Armenia
Faure: Pavane
Manuel de Falla: “Nights in the Gardens of Spain” for piano and
orchestra
– En el Generalife
– Danza lejana
– En los jardines de la Sierra de Córdoba
Turina: Danzas fantásticas
– Exaltación
– Ensueños
– Orgía
Manuel de Falla: “Three-Cornered Hat” Suite N.2
– Los vecinos
– Danza del molinero (Farruca)
– Danza final
Conductor: Diego Martin Etxebarria
Soloist: Hayk Melikyan, piano
We invite you to read a sincere interview with Irina Krasotina, a distinguished pianist and professor at the Moscow Tchaikovsky State Conservatory, Ph.D. in Art History. She is the Head of the Ensemble Department at Ippolitov-Ivanov State Musical Pedagogical Institute. Ms. Krasotina also received a Master of Spanish Music degree from the Marshall Academy (Barcelona), a class of the legendary Spanish pianist Alicia de Larro-cha.
In this conversation, Irina shares her thoughts on the importance of higher education, the importance of continuing working under challenging circumstances and why she didn’t cancel her plans, insights on the artistic career and ensemble music, and her impressions of Armenian musicians.
Explore this conversation to gain a deeper understanding of the commitment and passion that drive the world of classical music and education through Primavera Foundation Academy.
Enjoy an engaging interview with Maximilian Simon, the principal violinist of the Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, as he shares his insights on his trip to Armenia, its significance to him, and his impressions and plans concerning young Armenian talents and the country itself.
In the interview, Maximilian discusses his experience conducting master classes at the Gyumri branch of Yerevan Komitas State Conservatory and how this journey has shaped his perspective on the world of music and education.
Explore the full interview on ARAVOT and discover the meaningful connections we happy to create in the realm of classical music and talent development.
The House Museum Aram Khachaturian came alive with Irina Krasotina’s captivating performance on September 29th, featuring pieces by Glinka, Tchaikovsky, Scarlatti, Albeniz and Strauss. The Romantic Piano Music Evening was a delightful celebration of Primavera Foundation Anniversary, classical music, and artistry.
Big thanks to everyone who made this event possible, from the talented artist to the enthusiastic audience. Our commitment to the Armenian music community remains steadfast, and we will continue to provide educational and performance opportunities to music enthusiasts and aspiring artists.
Our curator of the Ensemble Program at Primavera Foundation Academy, Professor of Moscow State Conservatory with a Ph.D. in Art History, and Master of Spanish Music – Irina Krasotina led a beautiful and inspiring chamber music master class on September 27th. Aspiring musicians performed Beethoven’s Cello Sonata No.2 Op.5 in G Minor.
Irina Krasotina continued her master class with an insightful lecture on the topic “Issues of Ensemble Performance” and shared her knowledge on issues of teaching methodology for the discipline “Chamber Ensemble” and questions to ask students.
On September 25th, at the Aram Khachaturian Concert Hall, we enjoyed Max Simon’s violin master classes. Two gifted participants beautifully performed sonatas composed by Eugène Ysaÿe.
On September 22nd, the Gyumri Branch of Yerevan Komitas State Conservatory had the privilege of hosting a dynamic lecture on “Artistic Management & Career Opportunities” led by Elena Yakovleva. Elena, the Artistic Manager at Primavera Consulting and Co-Founder and executive Director of Primavera Foundation Armenia, shared her wealth of knowledge with aspiring Armenian artists and anyone passionate about classical music and talent management.
Elena’s engaging presentation shed light on the significance of both hard and soft skills in the music industry, emphasizing their interplay and importance in the journey toward success. It was a day of learning, inspiration, and invaluable networking for all participants.
Our first educational trip of the academic year to Gyumri! On September 22, 2023, Maximilian Simon, an accomplished soloist, chamber musician, and deputy section leader of the 2nd violins at the Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Chief Conductor and Artistic Director Vladimir Jurowski conducted masterclasses for young Armenian violinists in Gyumri.
Four talented violinists took part in the masterclasses, performed Mozart, Viotti and Bach.
Following the masterclasses, Maximilian hosted an engaging round table discussion bringing together teachers and students to discuss the current situation in Gyumri. Maximilian Simon also shared his invaluable experiences and answered questions from both teachers and students.
Big thanks to the Gyumri Branch of Yerevan Komitas State Conservatory for your support and for making this day possible!
On September 16, 2023, we started the new academic year with a series of masterclasses dedicated to piano concerti. Four talented pianists worked with our Piano Program Curator – Dmitry Masleev on pieces by Rachmaninoff and Ravel.
We would like to thank Rector Son Hovhannisyan and Dean of the Piano Faculty, Irina Sarkisovna Akopyan, for their invaluable support and dedication in coordinating this masterclass series at the Yerevan Conservatory.
We invite you to check out this interview with Dmitry Masleev, our esteemed Piano Program Curator and the winner of the XV International Tchaikovsky Competition. In this conversation, Dmitry shares his thoughts on his recent master classes in Yerevan, career, life, and the current state of piano scene.
Our Piano Program Curator – Dmitry Masleev graced the stage with the Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra, delivering a breathtaking performance featuring A. Khachaturian’s Symphony No.1 and S. Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No. 3 conducted by Valentin Uryupin.
Sharing beautiful moments from the opening of the 15th Yerevan International Music Festival, dedicated to the 120th anniversary of Aram Khachaturian on September 15. 2023.
Check out the interview with Elena Yakovleva, the Artistic Manager of Primavera Consulting and Co-Founder & Executive Director of Primavera Foundation Armenia, in Golos Armenii newspaper. She discusses the incredible work we’ve done this year, our future projects and plans, the challenges we’ve faced, and our deep love for Armenia.
Conductor: Valentin Uryupin
“Super-soloist” is the way France Musique introduced Dmitry Masleev when he made his debut with the Orchestre National de France at the beginning of 2020, playing the Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No.1, the work that helped launch his international career, when he won the 2015 Tchaikovsky International Piano Competition in Moscow. Dmitry’s solo recital debut at the Philharmonie de Paris in March 2022 confirmed that a new phenomenon has emerged among the most interesting pianists of our time: “What an artist! Everything is so simple, so ingenious, without the slightest attempt to explain the music,” wrote Alain Lompech (Bachtrack).
Dmitry’s return to La Roque d’Anthéron festival last summer was described in La Provence as “a magical evening where virtuosity merged with the innermost workings of the soul.” His recent festival appearances also include Klavierfestival Ruhr, Lucerne, Verbier, Montreux, Rheingau, Bad Kissingen, Bodensee, Bergamo and Brescia.
Dmitry’s orchestral collaborations include the Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra (Robert Trevino), Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France (Mikko Franck), Orchestre National de Lyon (Tan Dun), Bamberg Orchestra (Christoph Eschenbach), and Orquestra Cadaqués (David Robertson), Tampere Philharmonic (Joshua Weilerstein), Verbier Festival Orchestra (Gábor Takács-Nagy), and many others.
North America fell in love with Dmitry Masleev when he made his Carnegie Hall recital debut at the Isaac Stern Auditorium in January 2017 and repeated the same program at Toronto’s Koerner Hall in March. In 2018, he toured coast-to-coast with the Moscow State Symphony and Pavel Kogan. In the summer of 2022, he performed at the Newport Classical Festival and the Festival Napa Valley.
Annual visits to South America have established Dmitry as an audience favorite in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Chile, and Ecuador. This season Dmitry collaborates with Allegro HD, the main arts and culture TV network of the continent, to deliver music to his fans despite the travel restrictions.
Dmitry regularly performs in the Asian capitals, both with orchestras such as Seoul Philharmonic, New Japanese Philharmonic, and National Symphony Orchestra of Taiwan, as well as in recitals.
Born and raised in Ulan-Ude (a Siberian town between Lake Baikal and the Mongolian border), Dmitry was educated at the Moscow Conservatory in the class of Professor Mikhail Petukhov, and at the International Music Academy at Lake Como.
I WANT TO COME AS:
Dmitry Masleev, a world-renowned pianist, and a winner of the 15th Tchaikovsky Piano Competition following his master classes in Armenia in July 2023, returns to Yerevan with the masterclasses for those students who are currently working on their orchestral repertoire.
If you are working on one of the concerti from the list below, you can proceed and submit your application following this link.
You can participate in the master with the following repertoire:
S. Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No.2 in C minor, Op.18
S. Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No. 3 in D minor, Op. 30
S. Rachmaninoff: Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43
S. Prokofiev: Piano Concerto No. 1 in D-flat major, Op. 10
S. Prokofiev: Piano Concerto No. 3 in C major, Op. 26
P. Tchaikovsky: Piano Concerto No. 1 in B-flat minor, Op. 23
P. Tchaikovsky: Concert Fantasia in G, Op. 56
F. Liszt: Totentanz
F. Liszt: Spanish Rhapsody (concert arrangement for piano and orchestra by M. Petukhov)
J. S. Bach – Concerto No.1 in D minor, BWV 1052
L. Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 1 in C major, Op. 15
L. Beethovenl: Piano Concerto No. 3 in C minor, Op. 37
L. Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 5 in E-flat major, Op. 73
C. Saint-Saëns: Piano Concerto No.2 in G minor Op.22
W. Mozart Piano Concerto No. 20 in D minor, K. 466
W. Mozart Piano Concerto No. 24 in C minor, K. 491
D. Shostakovich: Piano Concerto No. 1 in C minor, Op. 35
D. Shostakovich: Piano Concerto No. 2 in F major, Op. 102
G. Ustvolskaya: Piano Concerto Symphony No.1
Tan Dun: Concert Farewell my concubine
R. Schumann: Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 54
J. Brahms: Piano Concerto No. 1 in D minor, Op. 15
J. Haydn: Concerto No. 11 in D major
A. Tsfasman: Jazz Suite
N. Kapustin: Piano Concerto No. 2
Venue: Yerevan Komitas State Conservatory, the concert hall on the 4th floor.
Date & time: September 16, 2023, 11:00 – 17:00.
We thank the Yerevan Komitas State Conservatory for hosting Dmitry Masleev’s masterclasses!
We would like to extend our appreciation to Rector Son Hovhannisyan and Dean of the Piano Faculty Irina Sarkisovna Akopyan for their support in coordinating the master class at the Yerevan Conservatory.
I WANT TO COME AS:
“Super-soloist” is the way France Musique introduced Dmitry Masleev when he made his debut with the Orchestre National de France at the beginning of 2020, playing the Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No.1, the work that helped launch his international career, when he won the 2015 Tchaikovsky International Piano Competition in Moscow. Dmitry’s solo recital debut at the Philharmonie de Paris in March 2022 confirmed that a new phenomenon has emerged among the most interesting pianists of our time: “What an artist! Everything is so simple, so ingenious, without the slightest attempt to explain the music,” wrote Alain Lompech (Bachtrack).
Dmitry’s return to La Roque d’Anthéron festival last summer was described in La Provence as “a magical evening where virtuosity merged with the innermost workings of the soul.” His recent festival appearances also include Klavierfestival Ruhr, Lucerne, Verbier, Montreux, Rheingau, Bad Kissingen, Bodensee, Bergamo and Brescia.
Dmitry’s orchestral collaborations include the Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra (Robert Trevino), Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France (Mikko Franck), Orchestre National de Lyon (Tan Dun), Bamberg Orchestra (Christoph Eschenbach), and Orquestra Cadaqués (David Robertson), Tampere Philharmonic (Joshua Weilerstein), Verbier Festival Orchestra (Gábor Takács-Nagy), and many others.
North America fell in love with Dmitry Masleev when he made his Carnegie Hall recital debut at the Isaac Stern Auditorium in January 2017 and repeated the same program at Toronto’s Koerner Hall in March. In 2018, he toured coast-to-coast with the Moscow State Symphony and Pavel Kogan. In the summer of 2022, he performed at the Newport Classical Festival and the Festival Napa Valley.
Annual visits to South America have established Dmitry as an audience favorite in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Chile, and Ecuador. This season Dmitry collaborates with Allegro HD, the main arts and culture TV network of the continent, to deliver music to his fans despite the travel restrictions.
Dmitry regularly performs in the Asian capitals, both with orchestras such as Seoul Philharmonic, New Japanese Philharmonic, and National Symphony Orchestra of Taiwan, as well as in recitals.
Born and raised in Ulan-Ude (a Siberian town between Lake Baikal and the Mongolian border), Dmitry was educated at the Moscow Conservatory in the class of Professor Mikhail Petukhov, and at the International Music Academy at Lake Como.
I WANT TO COME AS:
Date & time: 22 September 2023 at 11:00 – masterclasses
Venue: Gyumri, Branch of Yerevan Komitas State Conservatory (1 Ankakhutyan Square)
Language: English (Armenian on request)
Admission: FREE for everyone, registration required.
Attention to all music teachers: join our round table with violinist Maximilian Simon!
We invite all musical teachers to a round table discussion with German violinist Maximilian Simon and share your opinion on violin education in Armenia and ask all questions you might have regarding young violinist’s artistic development. Your knowledge is invaluable, and we believe your opinions can foster positive change.
This is an opportunity to share your challenges and ideas regarding the current musical landscape in Armenia. Together, we can explore ways to enrich classic musical education, foster your students’ potential, and contribute to the growth of the artistic community in the region.
I WANT TO COME AS:
Whether as a soloist, chamber musician or as deputy section leader of the 2nd violins of the Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, Maximilian Simon inspires on stage with self-confident sovereignty, technical brilliance, expressive playing and his noticeably infectious enthusiasm for music. Curious by nature and open to challenges, the charismatic musician and GEWA Music Brand Ambassador manages to convince his listeners offline and online not only with the standard works of the repertoire, but also with contemporary and unknown music.
Highlights of his past appearances as a soloist were concerts with Yuri Bashmet in Rostov am Dom and in the Moscow Conservatory with the violin concerto by Beethoven and the Concerto funèbre by Karl Amadeus Hartmann. In the Berlin Philharmonie, the audience listened to him visibly spellbound as he interpreted the late romantic violin concerto by Erich J. Wolff with the Berliner Symphoniker under the baton of Lior Shambadal – as “sung touchingly, as virtuosically brilliant”, as the press judged and the jubilation in the hall confirmed.
Born in Koblenz in 1988, Maximilian began playing the violin at the age of six and won his first competition just a year later. Numerous other awards followed before he studied at the Berlin University of Music “Hanns Eisler” (Prof. Wallin) and at the University of Music and Theater Hanover (Prof. Wegrzyn) and passed his concert exam. He received valuable artistic impulses in master classes, among others, with Pierre Amoyal, Vadim Gluzman and Christian Tetzlaff. Maximilian Simon made his solo debut in 2009 with the Folkwang Chamber Orchestra Essen.
Subsequently, engagements took him to the Rheinische Philharmonie Koblenz, the Jenaer Philharmonie, the Symphony Orchestra of the Far East and the Moscow Soloists as well as to renowned festivals such as the Schwetzingen SWR Festival, the Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Festival, the Salzburg Summer Festival, Young Euro Classics Berlin, Dialog of the 4 cultures in Lodz and at the tide festival. His chamber music partners include artists such as Yuri Bashmet, Jens-Peter Maintz, Patrick Demenga and Michail Lifits. Several radio recordings for SWR2, HR2 and Deutschlandradio documented his artistic work.
Maximilian Simon was a scholarship holder of the Rheinland-Pfalz Future Initiative (ZIRP), the Orchestra Academy of the Staatskapelle Berlin and the Villa Musica Rheinland-Pfalz, which loaned him two violins (Sanctus Seraphin and Vincenzo Panormo) for two years each.
In the Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester Berlin, Maximilian Simon plays a violin by Nicolo Amati from 1623, which is generously loaned to him from a private collection. In addition, he is an author at the Ries & Erler music publisher: together with his colleague Nadine Contini he has published the work “Carl Flesch: The Art of Violin Playing, compactly edited by Maximilian Simon and Nadine Contini” in November 2020. As an ongoing bestseller, the book has already won the prestigious „Best Edition“ – Price by the German Music Publishing Association.
The master class will cover a range of topics starting from artistic career management to the artist’s digital stage, and the process of getting international recognition. It is a great opportunity to learn from first-hand experience and ask questions about their future careers.
Date & time: 22 September 2023 • 16:00
Venue: Gyumri, Branch of Yerevan Komitas State Conservatory (1 Ankakhutyan Square)
Language: Russian
Admission: FREE for everyone, registration required
I WANT TO COME AS:
Having come from a background in business and entrepreneurship, Ms. Yakovleva made a commitment to artist management in 2017 and joined Primavera Consulting, where she represents several artists, produces projects and develops cross-cultural initiatives. She has been involved in special events and projects with Mischa Maisky, Bella Davidovich, Olga Peretyatko, Dmitry Sitkovetsky, Tan Dun, Lucas Debargue, and Dmitry Masleev. She was also a part of the production team for the documentary Forte, responsible for organizing the shoot in Moscow in 2019.
In 2020, responding to the challenges exposed by the Covid-19 crisis, together with Anastasia Boudanoque, Founder and Managing Director of Primavera Consulting, and Anna Zeiman, Founder of the digital media agency Indadata, Ms. Yakovleva created a new venture, Primavera Digital to help empower artists and performing arts organizations to be mindful of their digital presence, to take control of their digital stage, and to use digital media to turn occasional and passive listeners into actively engaged communities.
Prior to her career change, Ms. Yakovleva worked within the leadership team of Russia’s top private business school SKOLKOVO Moscow School of Management, first as Executive Education Consultant for nuclear energy and steel production companies, then as Program Director of Successors Academy for SKOLKOVO Wealth Transformation Center.
Simultaneously, Ms. Yakovleva began to explore the field of talent management, which has been her long-time passion. She translated and published James Westbrook’s The Century that Shaped the Guitar, the seminal book on the history of the instrument, and launched the Russian edition with a concert at the Moscow State Conservatory, featuring rare 19th century instruments. Shortly thereafter she began to represent Russia’s top classical guitarist, Artyom Dervoed. Since 2015, she has been collaborating with the Moscow Philharmonic Society on the management and production of the Guitar Virtuosi Festival, presenting such superstars as Pepe Romero, Aniello Desiderio, and the Assad Brothers, to name a few.
Ms. Yakovleva began her career as a project management and training consultant in the field of hydro energy production. Later, she became an HR executive for JSC RusHydro, Russia’s largest hydropower holding, where she was in charge of analyzing and improving the HR functions of the company. As part of the company’s restructuring, she formed and led the Senior Executive Department.
Ms. Yakovleva graduated from the Higher School of Economics in Moscow in 2001 and went on to earn her Master’s degree in International Human Resource Management from Kingston Business School in London in 2012.
We invite all artist to join the round table discussion after master classes that will be focused on _______. All participants will be able to ask questions and share their opinion during the discussion.
Date & time: 25 September 2023 • 11:00 – masterclasses
Venue: Yerevan, Aram Khachaturian Concert Hall
Language: English (Armenian on request)
Admission: FREE for everyone, registration required
I WANT TO COME AS:
Whether as a soloist, chamber musician or as deputy section leader of the 2nd violins of the Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, Maximilian Simon inspires on stage with self-confident sovereignty, technical brilliance, expressive playing and his noticeably infectious enthusiasm for music. Curious by nature and open to challenges, the charismatic musician and GEWA Music Brand Ambassador manages to convince his listeners offline and online not only with the standard works of the repertoire, but also with contemporary and unknown music.
Highlights of his past appearances as a soloist were concerts with Yuri Bashmet in Rostov am Dom and in the Moscow Conservatory with the violin concerto by Beethoven and the Concerto funèbre by Karl Amadeus Hartmann. In the Berlin Philharmonie, the audience listened to him visibly spellbound as he interpreted the late romantic violin concerto by Erich J. Wolff with the Berliner Symphoniker under the baton of Lior Shambadal – as “sung touchingly, as virtuosically brilliant”, as the press judged and the jubilation in the hall confirmed.
Born in Koblenz in 1988, Maximilian began playing the violin at the age of six and won his first competition just a year later. Numerous other awards followed before he studied at the Berlin University of Music “Hanns Eisler” (Prof. Wallin) and at the University of Music and Theater Hanover (Prof. Wegrzyn) and passed his concert exam. He received valuable artistic impulses in master classes, among others, with Pierre Amoyal, Vadim Gluzman and Christian Tetzlaff. Maximilian Simon made his solo debut in 2009 with the Folkwang Chamber Orchestra Essen.
Subsequently, engagements took him to the Rheinische Philharmonie Koblenz, the Jenaer Philharmonie, the Symphony Orchestra of the Far East and the Moscow Soloists as well as to renowned festivals such as the Schwetzingen SWR Festival, the Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Festival, the Salzburg Summer Festival, Young Euro Classics Berlin, Dialog of the 4 cultures in Lodz and at the tide festival. His chamber music partners include artists such as Yuri Bashmet, Jens-Peter Maintz, Patrick Demenga and Michail Lifits. Several radio recordings for SWR2, HR2 and Deutschlandradio documented his artistic work.
Maximilian Simon was a scholarship holder of the Rheinland-Pfalz Future Initiative (ZIRP), the Orchestra Academy of the Staatskapelle Berlin and the Villa Musica Rheinland-Pfalz, which loaned him two violins (Sanctus Seraphin and Vincenzo Panormo) for two years each.
In the Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester Berlin, Maximilian Simon plays a violin by Nicolo Amati from 1623, which is generously loaned to him from a private collection. In addition, he is an author at the Ries & Erler music publisher: together with his colleague Nadine Contini he has published the work “Carl Flesch: The Art of Violin Playing, compactly edited by Maximilian Simon and Nadine Contini” in November 2020. As an ongoing bestseller, the book has already won the prestigious „Best Edition“ – Price by the German Music Publishing Association.
During the masterclasses, in addition to the artistic advice and guidance, Professor Krasotina will provide her opinion on the following issues:
• The learning dialogue as a form of educational process organization.
• Autocommunication and its advantages in the process of mastering a piece.
• Formation of performing skills of young musicians.
• Fostering the aspiration towards the creative search of a student.
The lecture will be focused on the Artist’s Approach to the Reading Of Musical Text, and will cover the following topics:
• The approaches to musical notation reading.
• Structural-compositional and performing techniques of musical expression.
• Organization of independent work of students.
• An integrated approach to teaching a performing musician.
All participants will be able to ask questions and share their opinions during the discussion after the lecture.
Date & Time: Master classes in Yerevan on September 27, 2023 • 11:00
Venue: Yerevan, Aram Khachaturian Concert Hall
Language: Russian
Admission: FREE for everyone, registration required
I WANT TO COME AS:
Ms. Krasotina felt her passion for classical music when she was six and started her piano studies at seven. Her international performing career was launched after numerous Russian and international piano competitions. She was a laureate of international competitions in Italy (Senigallia, 1992; Ragusa, 1993; Trani, 1997), E. Granados Barcelona International Competition (Spain, 2001), A. Roussel Sofia International Competition (Bulgaria, 1996), D. Lipatti Bucharest International Competition (Romania, 1997) among the others. In many of those, she later served as a jury member.
Irina Krasotina holds the Professor position at the P.I. Tchaikovsky Moscow State Conservatory and a Ph.D. in Art History. She is the Head of the Ensemble Department at Ippolitov-Ivanov State Musical Pedagogical Institute. Ms. Krasotina also received a Master of Spanish Music degree from the Marshall Academy (Barcelona), a class of the legendary Spanish pianist Alicia de Larrocha.
Among her recent projects are the publication of her new “Issues of Ensemble Performance” monography as long as the launch, together with Mr. Vasily Pasetchnik, the new Ensemble chamber music project where she also holds the Artistic Director position. The Ensemble project explores the history of cultural connections between European countries through chamber music. It aims to reveal fascinating historical details supported by academic research and to offer insights into the mutual inspiration that contributed significantly to the development of chamber music.
Irina Krasotina regularly performs recitals in Russia and abroad. She collaborated with conductor Felix Korobov, as well as with Evgeny Petrov (clarinet), Nikita Boriso-Glebsky (violin), Alexander Ramm (cello), Artyom Dervoed (classical guitar), Stanislav Davydov (horn), Philipp Nodel (oboe), to mention a few.
Ms. Krasotina has been teaching since 2003. Her students are the laureates and winners of the prestigious International Chamber Ensemble Competitions in Russia, Spain, and the UK. She is also the author of 18 tutorials and treatises focused on ensemble performance studies, Spanish music, “Chamber Ensemble” discipline educational programs, and publications based on her Enrique Granados. Piano Heritage dissertation. She is a speaker and an organizer of several international conferences dedicated to Spanish music and modern music education in Russia and abroad issues.
The Foundation’s mission is to build cultural bridges between Armenia and other nations by celebrating Armenia’s extraordinary cultural heritage internationally, supporting young Armenian artists, and developing educational activities.
This September our Educational Academy events schedule will include master classes for young musicians in Yerevan and in Armenia regions by Irina Krasotina (ensemble), XV Tchaikovsky competition winner Dmitry Masleev (piano), a soloist, chamber musician, and deputy section leader of the 2nd violins of the Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra Maximilian Simon.
Variations on a Тheme from Bellini’s “I Capuleti e i Montecchi”
“May. Starlit Nights”, “December. Christmas” from “The Seasons” op.37b
Sonata #4 in F major, Sonata #15 in D minor
“Pavana Capricho” Op.12
Schatz-Walzer from “Zigeunerbaron”
Ms. Krasotina felt her passion for classical music when she was six and started her piano studies at seven. Her international performing career was launched after numerous Russian and international piano competitions. She was a laureate of international competitions in Italy (Senigallia, 1992; Ragusa, 1993; Trani, 1997), E. Granados Barcelona International Competition (Spain, 2001), A. Roussel Sofia International Competition (Bulgaria, 1996), D. Lipatti Bucharest International Competition (Romania, 1997) among the others. In many of those, she later served as a jury member.
Irina Krasotina holds the Professor position at the P.I. Tchaikovsky Moscow State Conservatory and a Ph.D. in Art History. She is the Head of the Ensemble Department at Ippolitov-Ivanov State Musical Pedagogical Institute. Ms. Krasotina also received a Master of Spanish Music degree from the Marshall Academy (Barcelona), a class of the legendary Spanish pianist Alicia de Larrocha.
Among her recent projects are the publication of her new “Issues of Ensemble Performance” monography as long as the launch, together with Mr. Vasily Pasetchnik, the new Ensemble chamber music project where she also holds the Artistic Director position. The Ensemble project explores the history of cultural connections between European countries through chamber music. It aims to reveal fascinating historical details supported by academic research and to offer insights into the mutual inspiration that contributed significantly to the development of chamber music.
Irina Krasotina regularly performs recitals in Russia and abroad. She collaborated with conductor Felix Korobov, as well as with Evgeny Petrov (clarinet), Nikita Boriso-Glebsky (violin), Alexander Ramm (cello), Artyom Dervoed (classical guitar), Stanislav Davydov (horn), Philipp Nodel (oboe), to mention a few.
Ms. Krasotina has been teaching since 2003. Her students are the laureates and winners of the prestigious International Chamber Ensemble Competitions in Russia, Spain, and the UK. She is also the author of 18 tutorials and treatises focused on ensemble performance studies, Spanish music, “Chamber Ensemble” discipline educational programs, and publications based on her Enrique Granados. Piano Heritage dissertation. She is a speaker and an organizer of several international conferences dedicated to Spanish music and modern music education in Russia and abroad issues.
On the third day of our Syunik trip in July 2023 with pianist Dmitry Masleev, we had the pleasure of bringing Dmitry to Kapan with the master classes. Four young and talented piano students had the incredible opportunity to learn from Dmitry Masleev, especially on the pieces Dmitry performs himself! Mr. Masleev commented on the high level of the students and was delighted to provide them with his guidance.
The Primavera Foundation aims to support young and talented musicians in Armenian regions by providing access to the best educational practices, inspiring performances, and hands-on art transfer.
The Primavera Foundation’s mission is to support young and talented musicians in Armenian regions. We strongly believe that access to top-notch education, inspiring performances, and hands-on artistic experiences are vital for talent development and professional growth.
Our journey kicked off in the charming town of Goris, surrounded by breathtaking nature and warm-hearted people. We had the privilege to visit a local music school and witness the incredible talent of two young pupils. Their passion and dedication were truly inspiring!
On the second day of the journey to the Syunik region, we had the pleasure of witnessing Dmitry Masleev, a renowned musician, running master classes at the Music School in Agarak City. It was a remarkable experience as he shared his expertise and knowledge with the eager students. Additionally, we had the opportunity to meet and engage with the local teachers from Agarak and Megri cities.
We thank everyone involved for such a memorable day filled with the beauty of music, nature, and the warm hospitality of the Syunik region.
On July 8, 2023, we had a second day of master classes with the pianist Dmitry Masleev, the Foundation Educational Academy Piano program curator.
Five young talented students from Yerevan State Conservatory performed pieces by Rachmaninoff, Shostakovich, Schumann, and L.van Beethoven. Dmitry spent more than an hour with each student. Master classes ended with the Foundation team favorite formate: a round table. Everyone was intited to participate in the discussion, or to ask Dmitry a question. We thank our Piano program curator, pianist Dmitry Masleev, for sharing his expertise and knowledge!
This learning opportunity wouldn’t have been possible without the support of our partners, and the Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra team.
Check the photos here.
On July 8, 2023 we had a round table discussion with the XV Tchaikovsky Piano Competition Winner, the Foundation Educational Academy Piano program curator Dmitry Masleev. Everyone in the audience had a chance to join Dmitry in a meaningful conversation.
Together with the young Armenian musicians we explored the real-life challenges of an artistic career in the modern world. Dmitry Masleev shared his approach to practice, programming, working with a score, and answered the following questions:
We really love new formats in our Educational Programs. Stepping out of the comfort zone helps students to engage with other musicians, challenge their own ideas, and together explore the real struggles of the artistic world.
We were surprised by the interest we generated! Therefore we see discussions and round tables as an essential part of our educational activities. We hear that these actiovities provide the participants with knowledge exchange, help to search for the the real-life problems solutions, encorage students to to stay un touch – i.e. to build a community where they can grow together and support each other.
We thank our valuable partner, the Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra for their support and hospitality!
Check the moments from the round table discussion here.
For the Aravot newspaper Mrs. Elena Yakovleva, Co-Founder & Executive Director of the Primavera Foundation shared her story of becoming the artistic manager and shed light on Primavera Foundation’s activities developed and run by the Foundation team in first stvtn months of 2023, the Armenian talented musicians we met during trips to Armenian regions and the Foundation plans for the rest of 2023.
Lear more © 1998 – 2023 Aravot – News from Armenia
In April 2023, the world acclaimed classical guitarist Artyom Dervoed wnet to Tavush with performance and master classes. Here is the report by Tavush TV about this event.
On July 10-12, 2023 XV Tchaikovsky Competition winner, and the Piano Educational Program curator at the Primavera Foundation visited Syunik and gave master classes in Goris, Megri, and Kapan. The young musicians from Syunik and Yerevan presented their art and got guidance from Dmitry Masleev.
Hear what they say for Syunik TV!
Elena Yakovleva, the Co-Founder & Executive Director of our foundation speaks on her personal journey that ended up in launching the Primavera Foundation, together with Mrs. Anastasia Boudanoque in Armenia, as well as the result of the Foundation’s seven months of activities, and plans.
In this interview, Elena will take us on a remarkable journey, sharing her experiences and insights about the world of classical music. From the challenges faced to the results achieved, she provides a behind-the-scenes look into the passion and dedication which drive the Primavera Foundation team forward.
See interview
A1plus News report about pianist Dmitry Masleev’s master classes for students of the Yerevan State Conservatory and Yerevan youth music schools turned into a conversation about the Foundation approach to the educational programs focused on the support of the young musicians, and Dmitry’s approach to the master classes teaching process.
We thank our valuable partner, the Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra team for the hospitality!
See video
Dmitry Masleev, the Tchaikovsky Piano Competition winner, the world renowned pianist in conversation with Karen Avetisian at the Sputnik Armenia on his favorite composer (so far), and his approach to work with scores, as well as about master classes in Yerevan and Syunik, as well as an upcoming concert that awaits the audience of Yerevan in September.
See video
On April 7 & 8, 2023, XV Tchiakovsky Piano Competition winner and the Foundation Piano Educational Program Curator pianist Dmitry Masleev gave master-classes for young gifted students in Yerevan.
See the full report by the Freenews Armenia.
A round table in Yerevan will be focused on the real-life challenges of an artistic career in the modern world, as well as Dmitry’s approach to practice and work with a score. All participants will be able to ask questions and share their opinion during the discussion.
Master class in Kapan on July 12, 2023 at 11:00
Venue: The Organ Hall of Kapan, State Colledge of Arts
Language: Russian (Armenian and English on request)
Entrance: FREE for everyone, registration required
“Super-soloist” is the way France Musique introduced Dmitry Masleev when he made his debut with the Orchestre National de France at the beginning of 2020, playing the Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No.1, the work that helped launch his international career, when he won the 2015 Tchaikovsky International Piano Competition in Moscow. Dmitry’s solo recital debut at the Philharmonie de Paris in March 2022 confirmed that a new phenomenon has emerged among the most interesting pianists of our time: “What an artist! Everything is so simple, so ingenious, without the slightest attempt to explain the music,” wrote Alain Lompech (Bachtrack).
Dmitry’s return to La Roque d’Anthéron festival last summer was described in La Provence as “a magical evening where virtuosity merged with the innermost workings of the soul.” His recent festival appearances also include Klavierfestival Ruhr, Lucerne, Verbier, Montreux, Rheingau, Bad Kissingen, Bodensee, Bergamo and Brescia.
Dmitry’s orchestral collaborations include the Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra (Robert Trevino), Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France (Mikko Franck), Orchestre National de Lyon (Tan Dun), Bamberg Orchestra (Christoph Eschenbach), and Orquestra Cadaqués (David Robertson), Tampere Philharmonic (Joshua Weilerstein), Verbier Festival Orchestra (Gábor Takács-Nagy), and many others.
North America fell in love with Dmitry Masleev when he made his Carnegie Hall recital debut at the Isaac Stern Auditorium in January 2017 and repeated the same program at Toronto’s Koerner Hall in March. In 2018, he toured coast-to-coast with the Moscow State Symphony and Pavel Kogan. In the summer of 2022, he performed at the Newport Classical Festival and the Festival Napa Valley.
Annual visits to South America have established Dmitry as an audience favorite in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Chile, and Ecuador. This season Dmitry collaborates with Allegro HD, the main arts and culture TV network of the continent, to deliver music to his fans despite the travel restrictions.
Dmitry regularly performs in the Asian capitals, both with orchestras such as Seoul Philharmonic, New Japanese Philharmonic, and National Symphony Orchestra of Taiwan, as well as in recitals.
Born and raised in Ulan-Ude (a Siberian town between Lake Baikal and the Mongolian border), Dmitry was educated at the Moscow Conservatory in the class of Professor Mikhail Petukhov, and at the International Music Academy at Lake Como.
A round table in Yerevan will be focused on the real-life challenges of an artistic career in the modern world, as well as Dmitry’s approach to practice and work with a score. All participants will be able to ask questions and share their opinion during the discussion.
Master class in Agarak on July 11, 2023 at 11:00
Venue: Music school in Agarak, 6 Garegin Nzhdeh St 6, Agarak, Syunik
Language: Russian (Armenian and English on request)
Entrance: FREE for everyone, registration required
“Super-soloist” is the way France Musique introduced Dmitry Masleev when he made his debut with the Orchestre National de France at the beginning of 2020, playing the Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No.1, the work that helped launch his international career, when he won the 2015 Tchaikovsky International Piano Competition in Moscow. Dmitry’s solo recital debut at the Philharmonie de Paris in March 2022 confirmed that a new phenomenon has emerged among the most interesting pianists of our time: “What an artist! Everything is so simple, so ingenious, without the slightest attempt to explain the music,” wrote Alain Lompech (Bachtrack).
Dmitry’s return to La Roque d’Anthéron festival last summer was described in La Provence as “a magical evening where virtuosity merged with the innermost workings of the soul.” His recent festival appearances also include Klavierfestival Ruhr, Lucerne, Verbier, Montreux, Rheingau, Bad Kissingen, Bodensee, Bergamo and Brescia.
Dmitry’s orchestral collaborations include the Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra (Robert Trevino), Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France (Mikko Franck), Orchestre National de Lyon (Tan Dun), Bamberg Orchestra (Christoph Eschenbach), and Orquestra Cadaqués (David Robertson), Tampere Philharmonic (Joshua Weilerstein), Verbier Festival Orchestra (Gábor Takács-Nagy), and many others.
North America fell in love with Dmitry Masleev when he made his Carnegie Hall recital debut at the Isaac Stern Auditorium in January 2017 and repeated the same program at Toronto’s Koerner Hall in March. In 2018, he toured coast-to-coast with the Moscow State Symphony and Pavel Kogan. In the summer of 2022, he performed at the Newport Classical Festival and the Festival Napa Valley.
Annual visits to South America have established Dmitry as an audience favorite in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Chile, and Ecuador. This season Dmitry collaborates with Allegro HD, the main arts and culture TV network of the continent, to deliver music to his fans despite the travel restrictions.
Dmitry regularly performs in the Asian capitals, both with orchestras such as Seoul Philharmonic, New Japanese Philharmonic, and National Symphony Orchestra of Taiwan, as well as in recitals.
Born and raised in Ulan-Ude (a Siberian town between Lake Baikal and the Mongolian border), Dmitry was educated at the Moscow Conservatory in the class of Professor Mikhail Petukhov, and at the International Music Academy at Lake Como.
On July 7 we had a remarkable day (the first out of two!) of the master classes led by the world-renowned pianist Dmitry Masleev, winner of the XV Tchaikovsky Piano Competition. The master classes were hosted in the Piano room of the Aram Khachaturian Concert Hall, provided by our valuable partner, the Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra!
Five young Armenian piano students of the Komitas Yerevan State Conservatory and Yerevan music schools performed the pieces by Debussy, Rachmaninoff, Liszt, Brahms, and Scriabin, embracing the opportunity to showcase their technic and refine their art under Dmitry Masleev’s guidance.
We thank our Piano program curator Dmitry Masleev for sharing his expertise so generously, our partners, and the team for making this unforgettable experience possible.
A round table in Yerevan will be focused on the real-life challenges of an artistic career in the modern world, as well as Dmitry’s approach to practice and work with a score. All participants will be able to ask questions and share their opinion during the discussion.
Master class in Goris on July 10, 2023 at 15:00
Venue: Goris Music School, Orbeliani, 20, Goris, Syunik
Language: Russian (Armenian and English on request)
Entrance: FREE for everyone, registration required
“Super-soloist” is the way France Musique introduced Dmitry Masleev when he made his debut with the Orchestre National de France at the beginning of 2020, playing the Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No.1, the work that helped launch his international career, when he won the 2015 Tchaikovsky International Piano Competition in Moscow. Dmitry’s solo recital debut at the Philharmonie de Paris in March 2022 confirmed that a new phenomenon has emerged among the most interesting pianists of our time: “What an artist! Everything is so simple, so ingenious, without the slightest attempt to explain the music,” wrote Alain Lompech (Bachtrack).
Dmitry’s return to La Roque d’Anthéron festival last summer was described in La Provence as “a magical evening where virtuosity merged with the innermost workings of the soul.” His recent festival appearances also include Klavierfestival Ruhr, Lucerne, Verbier, Montreux, Rheingau, Bad Kissingen, Bodensee, Bergamo and Brescia.
Dmitry’s orchestral collaborations include the Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra (Robert Trevino), Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France (Mikko Franck), Orchestre National de Lyon (Tan Dun), Bamberg Orchestra (Christoph Eschenbach), and Orquestra Cadaqués (David Robertson), Tampere Philharmonic (Joshua Weilerstein), Verbier Festival Orchestra (Gábor Takács-Nagy), and many others.
North America fell in love with Dmitry Masleev when he made his Carnegie Hall recital debut at the Isaac Stern Auditorium in January 2017 and repeated the same program at Toronto’s Koerner Hall in March. In 2018, he toured coast-to-coast with the Moscow State Symphony and Pavel Kogan. In the summer of 2022, he performed at the Newport Classical Festival and the Festival Napa Valley.
Annual visits to South America have established Dmitry as an audience favorite in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Chile, and Ecuador. This season Dmitry collaborates with Allegro HD, the main arts and culture TV network of the continent, to deliver music to his fans despite the travel restrictions.
Dmitry regularly performs in the Asian capitals, both with orchestras such as Seoul Philharmonic, New Japanese Philharmonic, and National Symphony Orchestra of Taiwan, as well as in recitals.
Born and raised in Ulan-Ude (a Siberian town between Lake Baikal and the Mongolian border), Dmitry was educated at the Moscow Conservatory in the class of Professor Mikhail Petukhov, and at the International Music Academy at Lake Como.
A round table in Yerevan will be focused on the real-life challenges of an artistic career in the modern world, as well as Dmitry’s approach to practice and work with a score. All participants will be able to ask questions and share their opinion during the discussion.
I WANT TO COME AS
(registration is a must):
Master class in Yerevan on July 7, 2023 at 11:00
Venues: Yerevan, Aram Khachaturian Concert Hall, for the venues in Syunik, please wait for the further announcements
Language: Russian (Armenian and English on request)
Entrance: FREE for everyone, registration required
“Super-soloist” is the way France Musique introduced Dmitry Masleev when he made his debut with the Orchestre National de France at the beginning of 2020, playing the Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No.1, the work that helped launch his international career, when he won the 2015 Tchaikovsky International Piano Competition in Moscow. Dmitry’s solo recital debut at the Philharmonie de Paris in March 2022 confirmed that a new phenomenon has emerged among the most interesting pianists of our time: “What an artist! Everything is so simple, so ingenious, without the slightest attempt to explain the music,” wrote Alain Lompech (Bachtrack).
Dmitry’s return to La Roque d’Anthéron festival last summer was described in La Provence as “a magical evening where virtuosity merged with the innermost workings of the soul.” His recent festival appearances also include Klavierfestival Ruhr, Lucerne, Verbier, Montreux, Rheingau, Bad Kissingen, Bodensee, Bergamo and Brescia.
Dmitry’s orchestral collaborations include the Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra (Robert Trevino), Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France (Mikko Franck), Orchestre National de Lyon (Tan Dun), Bamberg Orchestra (Christoph Eschenbach), and Orquestra Cadaqués (David Robertson), Tampere Philharmonic (Joshua Weilerstein), Verbier Festival Orchestra (Gábor Takács-Nagy), and many others.
North America fell in love with Dmitry Masleev when he made his Carnegie Hall recital debut at the Isaac Stern Auditorium in January 2017 and repeated the same program at Toronto’s Koerner Hall in March. In 2018, he toured coast-to-coast with the Moscow State Symphony and Pavel Kogan. In the summer of 2022, he performed at the Newport Classical Festival and the Festival Napa Valley.
Annual visits to South America have established Dmitry as an audience favorite in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Chile, and Ecuador. This season Dmitry collaborates with Allegro HD, the main arts and culture TV network of the continent, to deliver music to his fans despite the travel restrictions.
Dmitry regularly performs in the Asian capitals, both with orchestras such as Seoul Philharmonic, New Japanese Philharmonic, and National Symphony Orchestra of Taiwan, as well as in recitals.
Born and raised in Ulan-Ude (a Siberian town between Lake Baikal and the Mongolian border), Dmitry was educated at the Moscow Conservatory in the class of Professor Mikhail Petukhov, and at the International Music Academy at Lake Como.
Join us for an exclusive master class by Elena Yakovleva, “YouTube Channel Checklist” on May 30, 2023. This online event will provide valuable insights for every artist who is looking to launch, set up a YouTube channel, and insure organic traffic growth.
🗓️ Date & Time: May 30, 2023, 17:00 Yerevan time
🌐 Format: Online (Zoom link will be sent to participants)
⏰ Duration: Up to 2 hours
🗣️ Language: Russian
During the master class, Elena will cover the following topics:
1️⃣ YouTube Channel for performing artists: an overview
2️⃣ Videos: adding and setting up
3️⃣ Playlists tab: logic and structure. Own videos vs. videos on other channels
4️⃣ Index page: fine-tuning and setup
5️⃣ Summary and overall recommendations
Additionally, she will personally review and provide practical recommendations on one participant’s YouTube channel. To submit your channel for review, please add the link in the comments of the announcement on our Facebook page and tag a colleague who is currently running or considering launching their own YouTube channel, and who might be interested in this master class as well.
To participate, please DM us your name, family name, and email address, and we’ll provide you with further instructions 24 hours before the master class.
Participation is free, although, for non-Armenian passport holders, we welcome a donation to the foundation. Will highly appreciate it if your donation is no less than 10 000 AMD ($25).
Please note that this master class is designed for all instruments, composition, conducting students, and recent graduates.
We look forward to seeing you!
An Events Coordinator is responsible for planning and executing events in RA, and potentially abroad, such as lectures, master classes, round tables, performances, fundraisers, etc. We welcome applications from recent graduates or final years bachelor’s or master’s degree students interested in arts, culture, and the NGO sector. This is a project-based role with the potential for a full-time position within the next 12 months.
The candidate must permanently reside in Armenia, be native in Armenian and fluent in English, and be capable of multitasking and prioritizing. The Events Coordinator works directly with the Educational Academy Producer, Local Events Coordinator and reports to the Foundation Executive Director.
Primavera Foundation of Armenia is a charitable foundation registered in Armenia. Our mission is to promote Armenian culture and artists, as well as to increase the recognition of the cultural heritage of Armenia. Our programs aimed at the following objectives:
To apply, please email the following documents in English to hello{@}primavera-foundation.loc:
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for further steps in the selection process. The project based fee, further possibilities for development and other details will be discussed with successful candidates individually.
Application deadline: 15 June 2023.
Join us in promoting Armenian culture and artists!
Have you ever wondered what happens before a performance? Watch the classical guitarist Isabel Martinez speaking to VNews before the Spanish Guitar Evening with the Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra and Spanish conductor Juan Antonio Ramirez on March 28, 2023 at the Aram Khachiaturian Concert Hall.
The event marked the start of the collaboration between the Primavera Foundation and the Embassy of the Kingdom of Spain in Armenia.
Live from the Armenian Public TV with pianist Polina Osetinskaya and Ms. Astghik Dallakyan, Chief Public Relations Specialist of the Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra.
On April 19, 2023 pianist Polina Osetinskaya gave master-classes for Yerevan State Komitas Conservatory, and a press-conference in the light of her first ever solo recital in Yerevan on April 21, 2023. The event was produced by the Primavera Foundation of Armenia in the partnership with the Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra. See the full reportage by the First Armenia TV Channel.
On April 19, 2023 pianist Polina Osetinskaya gave master classes for Yerevan State Komitas Conservatory students and gave a press conference in anticipation of her first-ever solo recital in Yerevan on April 21, 2023. The event was produced by the Primavera Foundation of Armenia in partnership with the Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra. See the full reportage by the First Armenia TV Channel.
We are sharing the heartwarming memories of a solo recital by Polina Osetinskaya which she performed on April 21 2023. Mrs. Osetinskaya’s flawless performance mesmerized the audience at the Aram Khachaturian Concert Hall. It was an evening which was full of beautiful baroque music which touched everyone’s hearts.
This is the first performance organized and produced by the Primavera Foundation in Armenia. All income from the ticket sales goes to our programs and initiatives focusing on classical music education for young gifted Armenian musicians in Armenian regions.
Our deep gratitude to the Aram Khachaturian Concert Hall & the Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra teams for their exceptional partnership and support!
Check our UPCOMING EVENTS to stay tuned!
On 19 April 2023, we had the pleasure to organize piano master classes by Polina Osetinskaya at the Aram Khachaturian Concert Hall for talented young Armenian pianists. We were honored to welcome also piano teachers and students from Yerevan music schools to the master classes.
Mrs. Osetinskaya shared her expertise and guided the students on the pieces they performed. It was truly inspiring to witness the young musicians’ passion and dedication to arts and music.
Our gratitude to the @Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra team for their support and partnership.
The photos flashback from the master class by Primavera Consulting Artistic Manager & Primavera Foundation Co-Founder Elena Yakovleva on April 18, 2023.
The master class covered a range of topics starting from artistic career management to the artist’s digital stage, and the process of getting international recognition. It was an opportunity for the Conservatory students to learn from first-hand experience and ask questions about their future careers. We hope to continue exploring these topics in more detail during the next season.
On the April 15 after the Master Classes we had an exceptional new format event! We hosted a round table with the famous and unique pianist Lucas Debargue.
At first, the audience was quite shy, but after a few minutes, they burst with questions and opinions! The topic of the discussion was how being a musician changes your life and what makes a musical piece sound true. Check out the photos!
Participation in our educational events is free for everybody! Check the upcoming events on our site and join the next master-class!
Our weekend was filled with educational and performance events. On Friday, pianist Lucas Debargue performed with the Armenian National Orchestra under the baton of Valentin Urypin. The following day Lucas Debargue run master classes for talented young Armenian pianists – students of the Yerevan Komitas State Conservatory.
Lucas commented on the great technical and musical abilities of Armenian young pianists and provided them with inspiration and guidance on the pieces he used to perform himself: Ravel’s Gaspard de La Nuit & Sonatine, and Ballade No.4 f by Chopin.
We were honored to welcome piano teachers and students from Yerevan to the master classes! Our endless gratitude to the Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra team for their support and partnership in this project. Please enjoy a few photos from the beautiful Saturday morning at Aram Khachiaturian Concert Hall!
The Foundation’s mission is to build cultural bridges between Armenia and other nations by celebrating Armenia’s extraordinary cultural heritage internationally, supporting young Armenian artists, and developing educational activities.
During 2023 our Educational Academy events schedule includes master-classes for young musicians in Yerevan and in Armenia regions by world renowned classical guitarist Artyom Dervoed, piano master-classes by pianists Polina Osetinskaya, XV Tchaikovsky competition laureate Lucas Debargue, XV Tchaikovsky competition winner Dmitry Masleev, among the other projects.
mvdaily.com
– Martin Anderson, klassiskmusikk.com
– Richard Scheinin, rancholapuerta.com
The concert is organized as part of a partnership program between the Primavera Foundation of Armenia, the Aram Khachaturian Concert Hall, and the National Philharmonic Orchestra of Armenia
I. Allegro
II. Andante
III. Presto
From: The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999, Anthony Minghella)
Chorale Prelude in f-moll “Ich ruf zu dir, Herr Jesu Christ” BWV 639.
Weimar, 1713
From: Solaris (1972, Andrey Tarkovsky)
From: Fingers (1978, James Toback)
II. Siciliano
From: Breaking the Waves (1966, Lars von Trier)
Intermission
From: The Godfather (1972, Francis Ford Coppola)
From: The Draughtsman’s Contract (1982, Peter Greenaway)
III. Sarabande
From: Barry Lyndon (1975, Stanley Kubrick)
From: Autumn Sonata (1978, Ingmar Bergman)
From: 4 Days in France (2016, Jérôme Reybaud)
From: The Handmaiden (2016, Chan-wook Park)
1. “Les tendres plaintes”
2. “Les Niais de Sologne”
3. “Les Soupirs”
4. “La Joyeuse”
6. “L’Entretien des Muses”
8. “Les Cyclopes”
From: Casanova (2015, Jean-Pierre Jeunet)
In season 2022/2023, Polina Osetinskaya had a triumphal tour with Maxim Vengerov in the USA and Canada. After that, she received an invitation to return to the USA with solo concerts this summer. One of the concerts on this tour is scheduled at Carnegie Hall.
In addition, in the fall of 2022, Polina held sold-out concerts in Latvia and Italy, and among the following engagements are Spain, Israel, Latvia, and Estonia.
Ms. Osetinskaya has performed at Carnegie Hall, Vienna’s Musikverein, London’s Barbican Centre, Rome’s Teatro Argentina, as well as in Russia, Germany, Poland, and Israel. She also appears at festivals in Europe, Russia, and the United States.
Ms. Osetinskaya has appeared with musicAeterna, Mariinsky Orchestra, The Tatarstan National Symphony Orchestra, the St. Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra, The State Academic Symphony Orchestra of Russia “Evgeny Svetlanov”, and Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra, among others. Onstage partners have included Maxim Vengerov, Julian Milkis, Ksenia Rappoport, Teodor Currentzis, Laurent Petitgirard, Vladimir Spivakov, Alexander Sladkovsky, Vassily Sinaisky, Andrey Boreyko, Dmitry Liss, Gerd Albrecht, Yan Pascal Tortelier, Thomas Sanderling. Ms. Osetinskaya has released recordings with the Quartz, Naxos, Sony Music, Bel-Aire, and Melodiya labels.
Since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Polina has repeatedly expressed her pacifist position. In this regard, her concerts in Russia were canceled by the government.
by Maria Vartanova
I WANT TO COME AS:
Participation in master classes is free. To apply, please fill in the form HERE & subscribe to our social media profiles not to miss a bit!
Registering is easy for those who want to come as an audience click here.
Don’t forget that on April 21, at the same venue, Polina Osetinskaya will perform a solo recital, Baroque Music in the Arthouse Cinema. She is a sincere and inspiring pianist; this will be her first-ever solo recital in Yerevan.
Polina Osetinskaya is a world-renowned pianist who frequently performs internationally. She has performed at prestigious venues worldwide, including Carnegie Hall, Vienna’s Musikverein, and London’s Barbican Centre. She has also appeared with various orchestras, including musicAeterna, Mariinsky Orchestra, and Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra. Ms. Osetinskaya has released recordings with several well-known labels.
The event is produced by the Primavera Foundation of Armenia. All income from the performance ticket sale goes to support educational activities and other projects according to the statutory goals of the foundation.
Support & join us!
The entrance for the Master Classes is free! To register, please choose the button below:
I WANT TO COME AS:
• Master-classes 1 12:00 – 12:45
• Master-classes 2 12:45-13:30
Venue: 46 Mesrop Mashtots Ave, Yerevan, Aram Khachaturian Concert Hall
Language: Russian
Price: FREE FOR EVERYONE
In season 2022/2023, Polina Osetinskaya had a triumphal tour with Maxim Vengerov in the USA and Canada. After that, she received an invitation to return to the USA with solo concerts this summer. One of the concerts on this tour is scheduled at Carnegie Hall.
In addition, in the fall of 2022, Polina held sold-out concerts in Latvia and Italy, and among the following engagements are Spain, Israel, Latvia, and Estonia.
Ms. Osetinskaya has performed at Carnegie Hall, Vienna’s Musikverein, London’s Barbican Centre, Rome’s Teatro Argentina, as well as in Russia, Germany, Poland, and Israel. She also appears at festivals in Europe, Russia, and the United States.
Ms. Osetinskaya has appeared with musicAeterna, Mariinsky Orchestra, The Tatarstan National Symphony Orchestra, the St. Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra, The State Academic Symphony Orchestra of Russia “Evgeny Svetlanov”, and Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra, among others. Onstage partners have included Maxim Vengerov, Julian Milkis, Ksenia Rappoport, Teodor Currentzis, Laurent Petitgirard, Vladimir Spivakov, Alexander Sladkovsky, Vassily Sinaisky, Andrey Boreyko, Dmitry Liss, Gerd Albrecht, Yan Pascal Tortelier, Thomas Sanderling. Ms. Osetinskaya has released recordings with the Quartz, Naxos, Sony Music, Bel-Aire, and Melodiya labels.
Since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Polina has repeatedly expressed her pacifist position. In this regard, her concerts in Russia were canceled by the government.
The photos flashback from the master class by Primavera Consulting Artistic Manager & Primavera Foundation Co-Founder Elena Yakovleva on April 18, 2023.
The master class covered a range of topics starting from artistic career management to the artist’s digital stage, and the process of getting international recognition. It was an opportunity for the Conservatory students to learn from first-hand experience and ask questions about their future careers. We hope to continue exploring these topics in more detail during the next season.
I WANT TO COME AS:
I WANT TO COME AS:
• Master-classes 11:00-11:45
• Round table 12:00-13:30
Venue: 46 Mesrop Mashtots Ave, Yerevan, Aram Khachaturian Concert Hall
Language: English
Price: FREE FOR EVERYONE
To apply for a master class as an active participant, a candidate must be a student of the Yerevan State Conservatory or graduate from it during the last five years and be able to submit a video of his / her recent live performance. To apply, please fill in the Application form & subscribe to our social media profiles not to miss a bit!
The application deadline is April 13, 2023, 15:00. The winner will be announced on April 14 by 15:00. The entrance for the audience is free.
Come to listen to the discussion…. or be a participant!
To participate in the discussion, the candidate must be a student of the Yerevan State Conservatory, or graduate from it during the last five years, or be an actively performing musician in Armenia and worldwide.
To submit your participation application, please choose ONE of the two questions below and send your up to 300-word thoughts on the matter in English / Russian / Armenian to the email edu(@)primavera-foundation.loc, letter subject “Lucas Debargue round table”:
OR
The deadline is April 13, 2023, at 15:00. The winners will be announced on April 14 by 18:00. The entrance for the audience is free.
Since Glenn Gould’s visit to Moscow and Van Cliburn’s victory at the Tchaikovsky Competition in the heat of the Cold War, never has a foreign pianist provoked such frenzy”. THE HUFFINGTON POST
“The art of Lucas Debargue is not just piano-playing but rather a true sound philosophy.” LE DEVOIR
“The incredible gift, artistic vision, and creative freedom” of Lucas Debargue was revealed by his performances at the Tchaikovsky International Competition in Moscow in 2015 and distinguished with the coveted Prize of the Moscow Music Critics’ Association.
Today, Lucas is invited to play solo and with leading orchestras in the most prestigious venues including Carnegie Hall, Chicago Symphony Hall, The Kennedy Center, Benaroya Hall in Seattle, Boston’s Jordan Hall and Sanders Theatre, Maison de la Musique in Montreal, the Royal Conservatory of Toronto, Theatre des Champs Elysées and Philharmonie de Paris, London’s Wigmore Hall and Royal Festival Hall, Berlin Philharmonic, Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, the concert halls of Tokyo, Beijing, Shanghai, Taipei, Seoul, to mention a few.
On April 7, 2023, in partnership with the Aram Khachaturian Museum, we organized classical guitar master classes by Artyom Dervoed. 🎶🎸
11 participants, students of the Komitas Yerevan State Conservatory and Yerevan music schools performed pieces by Bach, Piazzolla, Tarrega, Mangore and more! In addition to the master classes, Artyom Dervoed met the classical guitar teachers from Yerevan. During the meeting, they exchange ideas on how to support the classical guitar school in Armenia.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Aram Khachaturian Museum and Mrs. Armine Grigoryan personally for the support of talented musicians in their artistic journey.
Our third stop was at the Ijevan Secondary Music School where the world-renowned classical guitarist Artyom Dervoed performed a solo recital and run master classes for eleven guitar students. Afterward, we had the opportunity to meet with local teachers and executives from the youth art school and local government authorities.
It was an honor for us to support young artists and meet so many inspiring people in person.
We are proud to have Artyom Dervoed as the curator of our classical guitar Primavera Foundation Program.
Check out the photos from the concert and master classes!
One of the Primavera Foundation’s goals is to support young gifted musicians in the Armenian regions. We believe that the free access to best educational practices, inspirational performances, and hand-to-hand art transfer are the key factor for the talent development and professional growth.
We’re thrilled to share that we have started the regional education program with the amazing trip to Tavush!
Our first stop was at the Noyemberyan Cultural Center, where the world-acclaimed classical guitarist Artyom Dervoed performed a solo recital. After it, we had a chance to meet the local teachers and youth art school executives.
More photos here
On the next day Artyom Dervoed run master classes at the Կողբի գեղարվեստի դպրոց / Koghb Art School for local students, offering them his expertise and guidance. It was a true honor and joy for us to support young artists and meet so many amazing people in person.
Check out the photos from the concert and master classes!
More photos here
I WANT TO COME AS:
Many Artyom Dervoed’s students and graduates have won prizes at prestigious international competitions. Several of them continued their professional education at the Hochschule für Musik & Tanz Köln, and Hochschule für Musik Franz Liszt Weimar (Germany).
We encourage Armenian classical guitarists to apply for an active participation in the master-classes (the three winners will be selected), and their teachers to take part in the Round table after master-classes. The registration and active participants application links are below.
11:00-14:00 Master-classes
14:00-15:00 Break
15:00-17:00 The Round table with classical guitar teachers
Venue: Yerevan, Aram Khachaturian Museum (3 Zarobyan St)
Language: Russian (Armenian and English on request)
Price: Free entrance, registration required
I WANT TO COME AS:
“One of the most outstanding classical guitarists I’ve heard so far…[who] is taking the classical guitar to a new level. To watch Mr. Dervoed’s stunning virtuosity combined with his deep musical insight…is more than fascinating.” Prof. Augustin Wiedemann, classical guitarist, presenter (Germany)
“An outstanding figure.” La Provence — Dimanche (France)
“Paganini of the guitar.“ Plattlinger Anzeiger (Germany)
Universe Guitare (France) has famously dubbed Artyom Dervoed the “Tsar of the guitar”. This bold claim is backed by the growing international demand, an active recording career, and no less than 16 first place awards in various international competitions.
A regular guest on the world’s most prestigious stages, including the Berliner Philharmonie, Kölner Philharmonie, Tonhalle Düsseldorf, Elbphilharmonie ** Hamburg, Carnegie Hall, Jordan Hall, Bunka Kaikan, Great Hall of the Moscow Conservatory and Tchaikovsky Hall, Mr. Dervoed is among the most eminent champions of the classical guitar.
Having mastered the entire standard orchestral, chamber and solo guitar literature, he is significantly expanding the existing repertoire through collaborations with leading composers, whose works he inspires, commissions and performs.
Launch of the Collaboration: the Embassy of the Kingdom of Spain, the ANPO & the Primavera Foundation Armenia at Aram Khachaturian Hall
The concert, which was organized with the generous support of the Embassy of the Kingdom of Spain in Armenia, signified the collaboration’s launch. We are proud to share the photos of the event and sincerely thank His Excellence Marcos Gómez Martínez, the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Spain in the Republic of Armenia, who was with us that night at the Aram Khachaturian Concert Hall.
Spanish & Russian classical guitarists Isabel Martinez and Artyom Dervoed, with the Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Juan Antonio Ramirez (Spain), performed the music by Spanish composers or the music which was inspired by the art and culture of the Kindom of Spain.
The program featured the two Armenian debuts, including Stephen Goss’s guitar concerto “Albeniz.” The composer himself traveled from London to attend the performance!
Concert with the support of the Embassy of Spain in Armenia
and in collaboration with Primavera Foundation in Armenia
Program
Rimsky-Korsakov: Capriccio Espagnole /15′-16’/
Fran Yanes: Concierto Del Mar Menor (Armenian premiere) /23’/
Manuel de Falla: “The Three-Cornered Hat” Suite No.2 /12’/
Stephen Goss: “Albeniz” Concerto for Guitar & Orchestra (Armenian premiere) /30’/
Soloists
Isabel Martinez, guitar (Spain)
Artyom Dervoed, guitar (Russia)
Conductor: Juan Antonio Ramirez (Spain)
Launch of the Collaboration: the Embassy of the Kingdom of Spain, the ANPO & the Primavera Foundation Armenia at Aram Khachaturian Hall
The concert, which was organized with the generous support of the Embassy of the Kingdom of Spain in Armenia, signified the collaboration’s launch. We are proud to share the photos of the event and sincerely thank His Excellence Marcos Gómez Martínez, the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Spain in the Republic of Armenia, who was with us that night at the Aram Khachaturian Concert Hall.
Spanish & Russian classical guitarists Isabel Martinez and Artyom Dervoed, with the Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Juan Antonio Ramirez (Spain), performed the music by Spanish composers or the music which was inspired by the art and culture of the Kindom of Spain.
The program featured the two Armenian debuts, including Stephen Goss’s guitar concerto “Albeniz.” The composer himself traveled from London to attend the performance!
Photos by Maria Vartanova, ANPO.
Online presence is the new digital home for those who want to communicate with the world, create and develop loyal communities, and on a practical side, sell tickets. Either a single artist or a festival must look good online, and be able to create effective promotional companies if needed. There are a few simple rules to do so.
We will start our Media Management Fundamentals by learning from the best field expert. This online course is the first step to our full scale educational program for managers and producers for performing art and creative industries at the Primavera Foundation Educational Academy.
Primavera Foundation of Armenia is a non-profit Armenian organization. Our mission is to build cultural bridges between Armenia and other nations by celebrating Armenia’s extraordinary cultural heritage internationally, supporting young Armenian artists, and developing educational activities.
Follow us on social media, and be the first to know our news, and see the educational programs scheduled for artistic training, and producers’ development!
This course is created for young and well established artists, ensembles, artistic institutions, museums, etc., as well as for those who support them in their social media presence development: administrators, managers, producers. We welcome everyone who wants to know more about it!
Location: ONLINE (Zoom meeting)
Duration: Six lectures (12 teaching hours) in total. Two lectures (Wednesday & Sunday) per week starting March 1, 2023. End date – March 19, 2023.
Language: Russian.
Donation to the Foundation: from 3000 AMD for Armenian passport holders / from 20 000 AMD.
Wednesday 19:00-21:00 and Sunday 13:00-15:00 Yerevan time
1 March, 19:00-21:00
Lection 1. Content Management. Types of publications and content, how to announce events based on the visuals, what is “call to action”, how to write call to action and tone of voice posts.
5 March, 13:00-15:00
Lection 2. Digital Team. Interaction with the digital team: setting tasks for designer, videographer, site developer
8 March, 19:00-21:00 (date may be rescheduled)
Lection 3. Basic Targeting Tools. Selecting the relevant audience and creating a promotion of posts.
12 March, 13:00-15:00
Lection 4. Social Media Analytics Tools. User behaviour, post conversion, audience engagement.
15 March, 19:00-21:00
Lection 5. Cross-Promo Collaborations. How to negotiate and develop cross-promo collaborations. Materials request, terms & conditions of such collaborations, development, promotional posts, approval process.
19 March, 13:00-15:00
Lection 6. Community Management. Community management on the example of the Primavera Foundation social media profiles. (community base formation based on interest, communication with administrators, posting and collecting statistics)
Completing the form signifies acceptance of the terms and conditions of participation in the course. The zoom link will be sent to all participants individually by March 1, 2023, 15:00.
— Plattlinger Anzeiger (Germany)
— Universe Guitare (France)
— La Provence — Dimanche (France)
F. Sor: Fantasy No. 7 op. 30
F. Moreno Torroba: “Castles of Spain”
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J. Rodrigo: “Spell and Dance”
A. Jose: Sonata
Universe Guitare (France) has famously dubbed Artyom Dervoed the “Tsar of the guitar”. This bold claim is backed by the growing international demand, an active recording career, and no less than 16 first place awards in various international competitions.
A regular guest on the world’s most prestigious stages, including the Berliner Philharmonie, Kölner Philharmonie, Tonhalle Düsseldorf, Elbphilharmonie ** Hamburg, Carnegie Hall, Jordan Hall, Bunka Kaikan, Great Hall of the Moscow Conservatory and Tchaikovsky Hall, Mr. Dervoed is among the most eminent champions of the classical guitar.
Having mastered the entire standard orchestral, chamber and solo guitar literature, he is significantly expanding the existing repertoire through collaborations with leading composers, whose works he inspires, commissions and performs.
We would like to better understand the current situation concerning classical and Armenian ethnic music education for children and youth throughout Armenia. To this end we intend to carry out a four-month study, conducted by means of an online questionnaire and face-to-face interviews. The specific objective of the study is to identify high-potential young Armenian musicians and their teachers. We also seek to collect data on the most active and important regional competitions, festivals, and master class organizers.
If you know anyone who could make an essential contribution to this initiative, such as a music teacher or a classical music event organizer, please feel free to copy and share this link with them.
The All-Armenian Classical Music Education and Young Talent Survey is closed. We express our sincere gratitude to everyone who answered the survey questions, thank you!
Watch our social media profiles to be the first to know the results.
Что может сделать фонд для молодых армянских исполнителей и продюсеров. Какие мероприятия уже запланированы и как принять в них участие?
Интервью Лианы Азоян с артистическим менеджером Еленой Яковлевой для / mir24.tv / Armenia.
Дирижер, Народный артист СССР Владимир Федосеев дал в Ереване интервью Артуру Аванесову.
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The Primavera Foundation of Armenia launching in the partnership with the Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra, the Foundation strategic partner.
More photos here
«Музыка — это то, что дано Богом. Но тем, кому это дано, они находят в этой музыке все, и утешение, отраду и смысл существования. B один из таких людей это, безусловно, Владимир Федосеев». — Михаил Плетнев
Source: Armeninfo.info.
Read the full story here
Elena Yakovleva live on Sputnik Armenia speaks (in Russian) on artistic management, young artists support and career development, and the Primavera Foundation of Armenia initiatives.
The text version of Elena Yakovleva’s interview for Sputnik Armenia on November 16, 2022.
Primavera Foundation Сo-Founder & Executive Director Elena Yakovleva, and ANPO General Producer Arman Padaryan speak on Armenia Public TV about the performance on November 17, 2022, as well as the Primavera Foundation of Armenia plans and initiatives.
The Primavera Foundation of Armenia launch event took place on November 17, 2022, at the Aram Khachaturian Concert Hall in Yerevan. The historic event, organized together with our strategic partner, the Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra brought together on the same stage two living legends: maestro Vladimir Fedoseyev and pianist Mikhail Pletnev.
Photo
by Maria Vartanova
Photos
by Tatev Duryan
