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!
Program Highlights
Vahan Sargsyan, classic guitar
“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.”
Suren Babayan, piano
“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.”
Ruben Kozin, piano
“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.”
Gayane Aslanyan, piano
“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.”