Şahan Arzruni Celebrates his 75th Birthday with a Solo Piano Concert

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New York, NY 10022-1112
Website: www.agbu.org

PRESS RELEASE

Monday, 

ŞAHAN ARZRUNI CELEBRATES HIS 75TH BIRTHDAY WITH A SOLO PIANO CONCERT

The sound of thunderous applause emanated from the French Institute Alliance 
Française's Florence Gould Hall on April 5, 2019 as a sold-out crowd of music 
lovers, admirers and friends gathered for the Şahan Arzruni 75th Anniversary 
Concert, organized with the cooperation of multiple organizations of the 
Greater New York area, including AGBU, The Armenian Apostolic Church of America 
(Eastern Prelacy),  Armenian Radio Hour of New Jersey, Eastern Diocese of the 
Armenian Church of America, Direct Help for Armenian People, and the Fund for 
Armenian Relief.

The renowned pianist, composer, ethnomusicologist, teacher, and scholar 
performed on the occasion of his milestone birthday, captivating the audience 
with original compositions, as well as works by musical giants Aram 
Khachaturian, Alan Hovhaness, and Edvard Mirzoyan. His varied repertoire was 
interspersed with anecdotes about some of the composers whose work he 
performed, such as longtime friends and role models Hovhannes and Mirzoyan.

Arzruni has enjoyed widespread acclaim from across the classical music 
landscape, performing on international stages worldwide. He has been recognized 
in various capacities for his impassioned dedication to Armenian music and 
heritage. A recipient of the Movses Khorenatsi Medal for exceptional 
achievement in cultural development, Arzruni was appointed the full-fledged 
representative of Armenia's Ministry of Culture in the Diaspora for the Aram 
Khachaturian Centennial in 2003. He has also been honored with both an 
encyclical and the Sts. Sahak and Mesrob Medallion by His Holiness Karekin I of 
blessed memory. 

In his program message, the Very Reverend Father Daniel Findikyan, Primate of 
the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of America, expressed how Arzruni 
"is truly peerless in his championing of the Armenian musical inheritance; both 
its great figures like Khachaturian, Hovhaness, and the immortal Komitas, as 
well as our lesser known, but hardly less distinguished, names like Mirzoyan, 
Mansuryan, Babadjanyan, Arutiunuan, Zakaryan and others." Making Armenian music 
accessible to the rest of the world, Arzruni was lauded throughout the night as 
an artist of striking versatility and an ambassador for the rich Armenian 
heritage he has worked tirelessly to promote and preserve. "The music abounds 
in subtlety and rhythmic surprise, and Mr. Arzruni created vivid, eloquent 
atmospheres," the New York Concert Review raved. 

The concert was followed by a private reception at the AGBU Central Office in 
New York- a fitting venue, given Arzruni's involvement with AGBU since 1964, 
receiving an AGBU scholarship in 1966 to pursue his musical studies. "Şahan is 
an icon," AGBU President Berge Setrakian observed. "We are always trying to 
inspire the next generation and giving them role models to be proud of is how 
we do that-Şahan is just that."

The Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) is the world's largest non-profit 
organization devoted to upholding the Armenian heritage through educational, 
cultural and humanitarian programs. Each year, AGBU is committed to making a 
difference in the lives of 500,000 people across Armenia, Artsakh and the 
Armenian diaspora. Since 1906, AGBU has remained true to one overarching goal: 
to create a foundation for the prosperity of all Armenians. To learn more visit 
www.agbu.org.