RETURN SECOND FESTIVAL OF CLASSICAL MUSIC TO START ON SEPTEMBER 15 IN YEREVAN

Noyan Tapan

Se p 11, 2008

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 13, NOYAN TAPAN. The Return (Veradardz) second
festival of classical music will be held between September 15 to
October 28 in Yerevan on the initiative of the Gallery of Arts
cultural foundation.

World-famous violinist, gold prize-winner of Queen Elizabeth
International Music Competition of Belgium Sergei Khachatrian
(Germany), violinist Vladimir Khachatrian (Germany), pianist Steven
Prutsman, cellist Suren Bagratuni (USA), Armenian State Chamber
Orchestra, and others will perform within the framework of the
festival.

Mariam Shahinian, festival’s founder, said at the September 13 press
conference that festival’s goal is to present Armenian musicians,
who create abroad and are already renowned, to the Armenian art-loving
public. "We are proud of those musicians and meanwhile dream that they
will be listened to in the homeland," M. Shahinian said. According
to her, the festival also pursues another goal, to return Armenian
musicians to the homeland and to create such conditions for them to
create not only abroad but also in Armenia.

According to USSR People’s Artist, composer Edward Mirzoyan, the Return
festival, which has already gained general recognition, is becoming
traditional. And it is gladdening that musicians creating abroad
express willingness to present their art in the homeland, as well.

Answering journalists’ questions, S. Khachatrian said that having
concerts in Armenia is an honor for him, and he dreams of returning
to the homeland in a few years and teaching at Komitas Conservatory
of Yerevan.