Poughkeepsie Journal
Jan 6 2010
Armenian pianist to open Howland series
January 6, 2010
BEACON ‘ The Howland Chamber Music Circle’s Piano Festival will
feature three outstanding young pianists from three continents.
Opening the series at 4 p.m. Jan. 17 is Nareh Arghamanyan, the winner
of the 2008 Montreal Music Competition, where she also received the
Audience Choice Award and a special award for the best interpretation
of a work by a Canadian composer.
She made her New York debut in the fall at the Frick collection and
continues with appearances throughout the United States and Canada.
The 20-year-old pianist has won first prize in many prestigious
international competitions, has appeared in concert with major
orchestras and has performed at several international festivals.
Born in Armenia, she began her piano studies at age 5. Three years
later, she entered the Tchaikovsky Music School for Talented Children
in Yerevan.
In 2004, she was the youngest student to be admitted to the University
for Music and Performing Arts in Vienna.
In 2005, after one year of study, she won the Josef Dichler Piano
Competition and the following year she was awarded a scholarship from
the Herbert von Karajan Foundation.
In 2008, she graduated with highest honors.
Sonatas to be played
For her recital at the Howland Center, Arghamanyan will play three
sonatas by Domenico Scarlatti, the Sonata No. 31 in A-flat Major Op.
110 by Beethoven, two selections from "Miroirs" by Maurice Ravel, the
Polonaise fantaisie in A-flat Major Op.61 by Chopin and Etudes
tableaux Op.33 by Rachmaninoff.
The concert is at the Howland Cultural Center, 477 Main St. and will
be followed by a reception to meet the artist.
The piano festival continues Feb. 7 with a performance by Lithuanian
pianist Andrius Zlabys, who has performed as a soloist with the New
York Philharmonic.
On Feb. 21, pianist Vanessa Perez from Venezuela will conclude the
series. She is a graduate of the Royal Academy in London.
Tickets for the three-concert series are $80; tickets to a single
concert are $30. Student tickets are $10.
Tickets can be reserved by calling 845-297-9243.
article/20100106/NEWS01/1060313/Armenian-pianist-t o-open-Howland-series