RECORDINGS & RELEASES FOR ARMENIAN MUSICIANS
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.
The project aims to provide Armenian musicians an additional consistent opportunity to record and release digitally on all major global streaming platforms. We wish to empower emerging and well-established Armenian artists by offering financial and non-financial resources to record, post-produce, release, and market their recordings globally.
2025 EDITION
Support Artist’s Upcoming Digital Release
Recording & Releases Program Artists
Emerging Artists Program (EAP)
Vahan Sargsyan
Classical Guitar
Special Prize by Edgardo Vertanessian, Co-Founder and CEO of Prima Classic
ARTIST BIO
Vahan Karen 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 third 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.
Jury of the 1st Primavera foundation Armenia classical guitar competition.
In addition to his performances, Sargsyan serves as a guitar tutor, sharing his expertise with aspiring musicians. His contributions to the Armenian classical music scene are well-recognized, and he continues to inspire through both his performances and educational endeavors.
PROGRAM
The idea behind the project is to develop and spread the art of guitar in Armenia, as well as to present Armenian classical guitar works to the public and large platforms. Eduard Badalyan, who, in addition to being a performer, was also a composer, has a great importance and contribution to the art of classical guitar in Armenia. The dissemination of his works can be a great progress in the art of Armenian classical guitar.
Suren Babayan
Piano
ARTIST BIO
Master’s student in Piano, with 12 years of dedicated music study and a strong foundation in classical music. Winner and laureate of various competitions, active participant in masterclasses and concerts.
Education:
Yerevan State Conservatory after Komitas | 2024-2026
Yerevan State Conservatory after Komitas | 2020-2024
Yerevan Music School named after Alexander Adjemian | 2018 -2020
Yerevan Music School named after Sayat-Nova | 2013-2018
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:
Private Piano Teacher | 2024-present
Concertmeister & Chamber Musician | 2018-present
PROGRAM
This program is dedicated to reviving Armenian piano music by recording rarely-performed and forgotten works by Armenian composers. Many Armenian composers and their works remain unknown because they were never recorded or performed in modern times. Even well-known composers like Khachaturian and Babadjanian have pieces that are rarely performed.
This program will feature both rare works by famous composers and unheard pieces by lesser-known Armenian composers. This combination will help to attract a diverse audience, those eager to discover new music and those interested in fresh interpretations of familiar Armenian composers. Bringing these hidden works to life will help ensure they can be heard, appreciated, studied, performed and generally are accessible to musicians, students, and audiences in Armenia and worldwide.
Hayk Hekekyan
Oboe
ARTIST BIO
Born on September 18, 2005
Education:
YStudent at Cologne Academy of Music and Dance as a Oboe Student, Bachelor of Music, (class of 2028)
Graduated from Sayat-Nova School of Music in 2023
Experience:
• Performed with the National Chamber Orchestra of Armenia (NCOA), conducted by
Karen Durgaryan 2020, Ruben Asatryan 2021, Harutyun Arzumanyan 2024 Yerevan.
• Performed with the Armenian State Symphonic Orchestra (ASSO), conducted by
Feliks Korobov, 2021, Dubai, UAE , conducted by Sergei Smbatyan, 2022, 2024
Yerevan, 2024 Dilidjan, Armenia.
• Performed with the St. Petersburg Symphonic Orchestra, conducted by Pavel
Petrenko, 2021, St. Petersburg, Russia
• Performed with the Moscow Symphonic Orchestra “Russian Philharmony”, conducted
by Sergey Tararin, 2022, Moscow, Russia
• Performed with the Chamber Orchestra “Moscow Virtuosi”, conducted by Vladimir
Spivakov, 2022, Moscow, Russia
• Performed with the Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by H.
Arzumanyan, 2022, conducted by R. Asatryan, 2023, N. Mkrtchyan 2024, Yerevan,
Armenia.
• Performed with the Broadcasting Orchestra of Norway, cond. by Eivind Aadland, 2024,
Bodo, Norway.
PROGRAM
Recording music is something new and exciting for me. I’ve always loved playing the oboe, but having the chance to record in a professional setting is something I’ve been looking forward to for a long time.
For me, this is not just about making a good recording—it’s a chance to grow, to listen to myself in a new way, and to understand how music is shaped in a studio. I’ve always been fascinated by the way music changes when it’s recorded, how every little detail matters. I want to learn from this process and become better, not just as a performer but as an artist who understands how to communicate through music in different ways.
In my recording, I would love to focus on Armenian spiritual music—specifically, ancient Armenian chants, which have an incredibly unique and deep sound when played on the oboe. Their simplicity and expressive power are something that fascinates me. Alongside these, I would like to record a work from the Baroque or Classical period, one that highlights the lyrical and expressive qualities of the oboe, allowing me to explore different styles and interpretations.
This recording will be an important part of my musical path. It will help me take the next steps in my career, but more importantly, it will allow me to share something that I truly love. Music has always been my way of expressing emotions, telling stories, and connecting with people. I hope this recording will be something that people will enjoy and feel connected to as well.
Gayane Aslanyan
Piano
ARTIST BIO
Pianist | Composer | Teacher
A pianist with a passion for blending traditional and modern music. Alongside my experience in classical music, I enjoy experimenting with electroacoustic music and arranging scores from anime and video games.
Education:
Yerevan State Conservatory (2013-2022)
XSSR Academy (2021)
Experience:
• Accompanist (2020 – Present)
• Assistant Teacher (2023 - Present)
• Private Piano Teacher (2020 – Present)
• Piano Teacher (2018-2022)
• Freelance composer and Sound designer (2022-2023)
As an Independent Artist:
• Recitals & Performances: Gafesjian Concert Hall, Khachaturian House-Museum, Babajanyan Concert Hall, Multiple sold-out recitals at TODA Dubai
• Recordings & Streaming: Debut album Ghibliana with over 100K streams on Spotify
• Competitions & Awards: 1st Prize at the “Heaven and Earth” Competition, Moscow, “Best Accompanist” at the Khachaturian Competition, “Artbox Entrepreneur” creative program and grant by AGBU
• Festivals: Crossroads Contemporary Music Festival, Harutyunyan Woodwind Festival, Eghiazaryan Festival
PROGRAM
I am Gayane Aslanyan, a pianist and composer, deeply inspired by the music of Alexander Scriabin. Scriabin’s Clavier à lumières, a keyboard designed to emit colored light along with sound, was a result of his synesthesia. His goal was to incorporate color into music, reflecting the connection between the senses in a unique way.
As a performer and composer, I find myself frequently drawn to Scriabin’s work, and it has become a significant influence on my own compositions. My piece Celeste was directly inspired by his Sonata No. 10. In this work, I explore the same emotional depth and intricate harmonies that characterize Scriabin’s music, while also creating something distinctly my own.
This program will feature a performance of Celeste(which also is intended to be performed along with the color line), alongside a selection of Scriabin's works, including the Sonata No. 10. By recording my composition with Scriabin’s, I aim to create a connection between his pioneering ideas and my own musical language. The program will highlight the influence Scriabin continues to have on contemporary music and provide an opportunity for the listener to experience the intersection of his visionary ideas with modern musical expression.
Ruben Kozin
Piano
ARTIST BIO
Ruben Kozin started piano lessons at the age of five. At 12, he was accepted into the Central Music School at the P.I. Tchaikovsky Moscow State Conservatory, where his teacher was Natalia Trull, a professor at the Moscow State Conservatory. Ruben Kozin graduated from Moscow State P.I. Tchaikovsky Conservatory in 2020. Ruben regularly performs across his homeland, Armenia, as well as in France, Georgia, Italy, Croatia, Poland, Lithuania, Malta, Kazakhstan, Denmark, Germany, Belgium, Belorussia, and Russia. He has participated in the Visages d’Armenie Festival (France), Gradus International Piano Festival (Denmark), International Piano Meeting (Italy), Moscow Meets Friends Festival (Russia), and Belorussian Piano Assemblies in Minsk.
His vast repertoire includes over 15 piano concertos. Ruben collaborates with the Armenian State Symphony Orchestra (conductor Sergey Smbatyan), the National Chamber Orchestra of Armenia (conductor Vahan Mardirossian), the Rostov Academic Symphony Orchestra, and the Lithuanian Chamber Orchestra. In his chamber music programs, Ruben Kozin collaborated with violinists Thomas Lefort (France), Karen Shahgaldyan and Polina Sharafyan (Armenia). Ruben often works with living composers, inspiring them for new works and performing world premieres. May 2024 was marked by the world premiere of the Second piano sonata by Eduard Hayrapetyan (b.1948). The Sonata is dedicated to Ruben.
Ruben Kozin is a laureate of more than 15 international competitions and festivals, including the Andre Dumortier International Piano Competition (Belgium), Aram Khachaturian International competition (Armenia, Yerevan), the EPTA International Piano Competition (Croatia), the First International Eurasian Music Games in Astana and the VIII International Piano Competition in Almaty (Kazakhstan), the International Piano Competition FVG (Italy), the Yamaha Music Festival, and the Malta International Piano Competition.
In parallel woth his Conservatory studies, Rwben participated in master classes of Akiko Ebi, Ronan O'Hora, Grigory Gruzman, Youngho Kim, Jenny Zaharieva, Eugen Indjic, Andrea Bonatta, Kevin Kenner, Pascal Nemirovski and Vanessa Latarche. He was a Yamaha scholarship recipient and performed in Japan as part of joint projects of Kawai and Moscow Conservatory. Ruben is a fellow of the Primavera Foundation Armenia.
PROGRAM
Bach & Komitas
Homage to Robert Andriasyan
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 20 th 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.
YOUR BENEFITS:
- Exclusive access to an album
before its official release - A personal message from an artist
- Vote for an album cover option
- A thank-you mention
on social media (optional)
Your Contribution:
- Ensures promotional and marketing efforts
for an artist's global accessibility - Covers recording costs
- Covers post-production costs
- Helps young artist to shine bright
and believe in themselves!
This initiative provides musicians with access to:
- Recording & Production Services
- Global Digital Distribution on Major Streaming Platforms
- Digital Marketing & Promotional Support
- Educational Opportunities (workshops, online courses, and video lectures)
Application Period Annually, November – July
Album/Single Release Period Annually, September – April
Project Partners
The Project Scope
- Organize Recording Sessions to create singles and albums
- Global Distribution & Promotion: your art will be available worldwide on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, and over 80 other platforms worldwide.
- Annual Workshop for Armenian artists Core Concepts of Music Production & the Classical Music Industry by Edgardo Vertanessian, sound engineer, and Prima Classic co-founder.
- Consulting Support: guidance and advice on music production and album release planning & promotion
- Globally promoted online Gala Concert participation (pre-recorded videos)
- Educational and internship opportunities for recording engineers who want to develop their professional skills and build international professional connections
Category
Recording*
Postproduction*
Additional available options (all related expenses would be covered by the artist):
- Release Landing Page
- CD / LP Physical Copies
- Album's Promo Video Production
- Digital Promo Campaign
- PR Support
- Artistic Career Consulting
For Artists & EnsemblesUnder 28 y.o. inclusive
The Emerging Artists Program (EAP) provides Armenian artists under 28 years old (on the date of the application) an opportunity to record and release an album or single. The support, both financial and non-financial, is provided on every stage starting from recording and production to marketing and distribution.
EAP is also aimed at educating young talents on how to collaborate with everyone who is involved in the recording, postproduction, and marketing process, and results in in-depth knowledge of how to work with a record label.
Selected EAP short-listed nominees will have the opportunity to showcase their art during a globally promoted online Gala Concert, reaching audiences worldwide and gaining valuable exposure.
For Artists & EnsemblesOver 29 y.o.
The Well-Established Artists Program (WEAP) supports already well-known Armenian artists and ensembles in releasing their completed recordings on all major digital streaming platforms.
Open to professional musicians starting 29 years old on the date of the application, WEAP enables Armenian artists to share their art globally. Master recordings should be created at the artists’ own expense and fit the technical requirements.
For the WEAP an artist can submit just a program idea. In this case, the album may be recorded by Prima Classic at an additional cost in Yerevanor in Barcelona (Spain). Other locations in continental Europe are also available. The program selection process considers the conceptual strength, artistic message, and musical and technical excellence of the artists.
SEE THE CURRENT YEAR SCHEDULE & DEADLINES
2024/25 Project Schedule
Program (EAP)
Program (WEAP)
At the end of the Online Gala Concert (pre-recorded videos)
Eligibility
- Armenian passport holders or Armenian 10 years special passport holders
- Musicians with a higher musical education, completed or ongoing
- At least a year of previous permanent residentship in Armenia on the date of application (proven by Armenian tax residency certificate)
- Age restrictions:
Emerging Artist Program: 18-28 (inclusive) years old on the date of application
Well-Established Armenian Artists Program: over 29 years old on the date of application
Successful nominees and winners will be notified by email and announced on the Primavera Charitable Foundation,
Prima Classic, and the project partners' digital channels.
The Selection Committee & Program Requirements
- The Program Selection Committee includes Prima Classic’s representatives and the Primavera Foundation’s Artistic Council and Educational Academy Program curators
- Submit all the information about the pieces to the Selection Committee At least one piece by an Armenian composer must be featured in the program. Should an artist's area of expertise be Armenian music, an all-Armenian program is welcomed
- An artist has the artistic freedom to choose between famous repertoire that has been recorded many times, less-known pieces, or contemporary composers
Organizers’ advice: choose wisely, keeping two concepts in mind: novelty vs a known piece, and which option will serve best to your artistic career.
Before Filling In the Application
Before filling in the application, please make sure that you have at your disposal the following assets.
For
everyone:
- Two links of your video or audio recording (not later than 2 years), preferably unedited
- Program proposal explaining the idea and story behind it (up to 300 words)
- Biography or CV
- A photo in JPG format (high resolution)
- Copy of the passport / Birth certificate
- Tax Residency Certificate
For the Well-Established Artists Program (WEAP), in addition to the assets mentioned above:
- The applicant guarantees that he or she holds the rights and third parties' rights for audio recordings submitted for the project
- Recording Requirements: Prima Classic accepts stereo Masters with a minimum quality of 44.1kHz and 16 bits. However, the preferred quality is 96kHz and 24 bits. Also accepted are multi-track edited files, and Prima Classic provides the Mixing and Mastering at no cost to the participant
About Prima Classic
Founded by soprano Ms. Marina Rebeka and sound engineer Mr. Edgardo Vertanessian, Prima Classic is an independent record label focused on opera, lyrical singing, and instrumental music, fueled by a passion to produce and nurture beautiful music performed by outstanding artists.
Born in the USA and based also in Europe the label takes the utmost care in all the phases of our projects: repertoire selection, performance level, sound quality, artwork design, and worldwide distribution.
From opera to world music, and from the Renaissance period to contemporary compositions, we strive to bring to the curious listener a meaningful musical experience through our eclectic selection of recordings.
The common thread in our releases is Beauty, always present—along with its healing power—in the most diverse of its expressions.
Meet Mr. Edgardo Vertanessian, sound engineer and Prima Classic co-founder, and learn more about his connectionto Armenia by reading his interview.
"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
