The Armenian Reporter
Pianist Natalia Kazaryan charms her audience
Published: Thursday January 22, 2009

Pianist Natalia Kazaryan with Fr. Garabed Kochakian, pastor, at St. John
Armenian Church in Southfield, Mich.
Southfield, –
On a snowy, cold Michigan night, hardy souls gathered in the Cultural Hall
at St. John Armenian Church Jan. 9 for a piano recital by "hometown girl"
Natalia Kazaryan, now a student at Julliard. Many in the audience were
familiar with the artist’s talent but most had no idea what a treat they
were in for.
John Yavruian, chairperson of the St. John’s Komitas Choir, welcomed the
guests to "this exciting evening where we are so proud to present one of our
own in a recital." He then asked the pastor, Fr. Garabed Kochakian, to
introduce the Tbilisi-born pianist, who moved from the Republic of Georgia
to the United States with her family in 2002.
As she sat down at the piano and began to play, Ms. Kazaryan immediately
captured her audience. Bach’s Partita No. 3 in A minor, with its seven
movements, was easy to follow as she gave each section its distinct tone.
She played with intensity and great emotion, yet without theatrics, so the
listener was not distracted from the music.
With Haydn’s Sonata in E flat major, her fingers flew over the keys in the
presto finale.
Before performing Debussy’s Images, Book 2, Ms. Kazaryan spoke to the
audience about the influence the painters of his day had on the composer.
One can almost see what Debussy is painting with his music – and the pianist
did not disappoint. The first image, "Cloches à travers les feuilles,"
establishes the atmosphere. It is almost like a dreamscape and yet also like
being underwater, one can hear water currents.
Ms. Kazaryan played the second movement, "Moon descends on a ruined temple,"
as though she were composing the music herself – such restraint, no
hurrying, beautiful. In her expressive portrayal of "Golden fish," the third
movement, one can see the fish change from a placid creature to a fighter
who eventually escapes. The pianist truly captured the essence of Debussy,
the most difficult technically in her program, while leaving nothing out.
To watch Ms. Kazaryan compose herself before beginning each piece was
remarkable. In Babajanian’s Elegy for Aram Khachaturian, she captured the
composer’s love for his late colleague.
The lullaby ("Oror") from Khachaturian’s Gayane ballet completed her
program. Although the piano, with its hammers striking the strings, is
classified as a percussion instrument, Ms. Kazaryan made her instrument sing
like a violin.
The audience was on its feet as the last notes faded away. As bouquets of
flowers were brought up to the stage, St. John’s Music Director Rubik
Mailian congratulated the young musician, presenting her with a gift on
behalf of the Komitas Choir and inviting her to return often for future
recitals.
We had been entertained by a strong pianist who made her instrument sing,
sigh, and demand, yet never did we forget that we were listening to and
watching a lovely young woman who will go on to capture many more audiences.
Born in 1987, Ms. Kazaryan at the age of six enrolled at The Tbilisi Music
School for Gifted Children under the tutelage of Alla Nakashidze and made
her orchestral debut at the age of seven with the Tbilisi State Chamber
Orchestra.
Ms. Kazaryan began working with Professor Logan Skelton at the University of
Michigan while still in high school. With her parents and brother, she
visited Fr. Garabed, who introduced her to Mr. Mailian. Over the years, the
Komitas Choir contributed small scholarships in support of her travel to
piano competitions. She performed at the church several times, including
during Lent after Badarak and for the choir’s celebration of the 75th
anniversary of St. John’s in 2006.
In the fall of 2005, with a full scholarship, Ms. Kazaryan began her
bachelor of music degree studies at Julliard under the guidance of Jerome
Lowenthal. She will graduate in the summer of 2009.