Avanesov to Present Works by Contemporary Armenian Composers

The Friends of Armenian Culture Society will host an afternoon lecture/concert on Sun., May 16 at 4 p.m. at the Armenian Cultural Foundation (ACF) in Arlington, Mass. Renowned composer and pianist Artur Avanesov will discuss and present works by some of the most promising, young Armenian composers, including Vache Sharafyan, Artur Akshelyan, Aram Hovhannisyan, Vardan Harutyunyan, and Artur Avanesov.

Artur Avanesov was born in Moscow. He began his formal music studies in composition and piano at the Yerevan State Conservatory, graduating with a doctorate degree in 2005, and later joined the faculty of the conservatory as an assistant professor of composition. He is the composer of numerous chamber, piano, and vocal works, and has participated in several contemporary festivals, including the ISCM World Music Days in Switzerland.

Avanesov’s list of awards include the 1st Prize at the Britten Chamber Composition in 2003 and the Sarian Vocal Composition Competition in 2004, both held in Armenia. As a pianist, he possesses a repertory spanning from the late Renaissance to the contemporary. He has performed some 70 world premieres of piano works by composers from Armenia, Georgia, Germany, Finland, and Portugal. In 2003 and 2004, Avanesov participated in the famed Lucerne Summer Music Festival and performed with an ensemble led by Pierre Boulez. Avanesov is also the co-founder of the AUS Contemporary Music Ensemble (formed in 2001), which performs works of emerging as well as established composers from Armenia and abroad.

As a musicologist, Avanesov is the co-editor of the “Musical Armenia” journal where he has published articles on the music of Stockhausen and several fellow Armenian composers of today.

The May 16 event is free and open to the public. However, due to limited space, reservations are encouraged. To make a reservation, email info@facsboston.org. For more information on the Friends of Armenian Culture Society, visit www.facsboston.org.