Dilijan Chamber Music Series
411 East Acacia Street
Glendale, CA 91205
Contact: Mihran Toumajan
Office: 818-572-5438
Fax: 818-500-8500
Email: press.dilijan@larkmusicalsociety.com
Web:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Dilijan Chamber Music Series Kicks Off Inaugural Year with Successful
Fundraiser at the Darakjian Residence

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA — The ever evolving Armenian-American
community in the greater Los Angeles area will soon be the beneficiary
of a new and unique chamber music series called Dilijan. Such is the
name of a beautiful, mountainous town in Armenia where the Armenian
Composers’ Union has had its year-round retreat. It is an inspiring
haven for composers who have produced masterpieces during their stay
there. Starting this September, the Dilijan Chamber Music Series will
showcase traditional pieces of classical chamber music, pearls from
the treasury of Armenian chamber works, and newly-commissioned works.

Dilijan is the joint brainchild of maestro Vatsche Barsoumian,
Director of the Lark Musical Society in Glendale, California,
and virtuoso violinist Movses Pogossian, Dilijan’s Artistic
Director. The Lark Musical Society was founded by conductor and
music scholar Barsoumian in 1990 with the aim of preserving the
Armenian musical tradition throughout the Diaspora. Pogossian is
a prizewinner of the 1986 Tchaikovsky International Competition,
and the youngest-ever First Prize winner of the USSR National Violin
Competition, who performs as a soloist and chamber musician around
the world. Renowned Armenian composer Edward Mirzoyan welcomes the
formation of Dilijan, and emphasizes that “we [Armenians] must spare
no effort in establishing stable and suitable foundations for similar
projects in the near future. Such initiatives will only buttress the
development of our nation’s culture, and solidify the sacred cause of
our existence and preservation.” Indeed, Barsoumian and Pogossian’s
collaborative efforts have motivated a number of prominent musicians
of an international caliber to perform for Dilijan in its inaugural
season. Further, a dedicated group of classical music aficionados
has coalesced to form Dilijan’s Board of Directors and oversee public
relations and fundraising initiatives.

As a prelude to the upcoming concert season, on Sunday evening,
June 12, Dilijan’s Chairman of the Board, Dr. Nazareth Darakjian
and his gracious wife, Dr. Ani, hosted a number of guests in
their palatial home to kick off the Dilijan series with a benefit
concert. Professor Osheen Keshishian, editor and publisher of The
Armenian Observer weekly newspaper, served as master of ceremonies
and welcomed the audience to the fundraiser. He then introduced Dr.
Darakjian who encouraged attendees to become Charter Members of the
chamber music series. Maestro Barsoumian later took the floor and
presented a timeline of completed activities, including a glimpse
of the first season’s six concerts, and PR achievements ranging
from the establishment of an efficient and informative web site
() to the creation of a neat
and concise brochure.

Artistic Director Movses Pogossian was then invited by maestro
Barsoumian to present the evening’s program and performers, featuring
works by Babajanian, Dvorak, Handel/Halvorsen, and Brahms. Violinist
Ana Landauer, violist Evan Wilson, cellist Paul Cohen, and pianist
Robert Thies joined forces with Pogossian in a program replete with
technical dexterity, emotional intensity, and enchanting melodies. The
attendees’ standing ovation, coupled by their financial largesse,
translated into a successful fundraising effort. Ultimately, over
$40,000 was raised at the Darakjian residence. Additional donations
are most welcome in order to sustain high quality programs, and enable
the creation of new masterpieces from Armenian composers.

The following individuals and couples became Charter Members (a
minimum donation of $1,500) of the Dilijan Chamber Music Series: Mr. &
Mrs. Ara and Esther Assilian, Mr. & Mrs. Mardiros and Rose Baroutjian,
Hrayr and Nadia Darakjian, Drs. Nazareth and Ani Darakjian, Dr. &
Mrs. Roupen and Sylva Dekmezian, Mr. & Mrs. Gabriel and Anahid
Halabi, Mr. & Mrs. Harold and Christina Jabarian, Mr. & Mrs. Walter
and Laurel Karabian, Drs. Sarkis and Sylvia Karayan, Dr. & Mrs.
Onnig and Kristine Keshishian, Mr. & Mrs. Ara and Frieda Kourouyan,
Drs. Noubar and Tracy Ouzounian, Mr. & Mrs. Dikran and Nora Tatarian,
Dr. & Mrs. Ara and Elizabeth Tilkian, Mr. Hovhannes Yacoubian,
Mrs. Marguerite Yardemian, and China Pearl. Moreover, Dilijan’s
corporate sponsors include the Los Angeles County Arts Commission,
Cafe Santorini, Carousel Restaurant, Carpet Wagon, City National Bank,
and Town & Ranch Realty.

The inaugural concert of the Dilijan Chamber Music Series will commence
on Sunday, September 25 at 3:00 pm in downtown Los Angeles’ majestic
Zipper Hall. Tickets are available at the Dilijan web site (see the
above link), or by calling the Dilijan ticket office at (818) 572-5438.