Armenian Cadence Ensemble Live at AUB, LAU (18th and 19th of feb)

[mephisto794]

On Sunday the 18<SUP>th</SUP> of February an outstanding Armenian ensemble, Cadence, formed by five outstanding Armenian instrumentalists is going to perform at the Assembly Hall, AUB (at 6 p.m.). If you appreciate classical and contemporary music, ranging from Argentinean to Armenian, believe me you wouldn’t miss this one.

For reference, the accordionist is member of the international orchestra accompanying great Lebanese singer Fairuz, while the contrabass player has accompanied the Lebanese composer Ziad Rahbani at his concerts in the UAE in 2005. <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>
If any of you wish to attend this exceptional event, tickets are sold at La CD-Thèque, Hamazkayine Bookstore, <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Levon</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Shant</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Cultural</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Center</st1:PlaceType>, and <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Aghpalian</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Center</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> (cf. attached poster).


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CADENCE Ensemble<o:p></o:p>
The Cadence Ensemble was formed in February 2004 by five outstanding Armenian instrumentalists under leadership of pianist Armen Babakhanian, initially to perform the works of Argentine composer Astor Piazzolla (1921-1992).
The Ensemble’s premier concert took place in April 2004, followed by several others that attracted the attention of fans and promoters. The Cadence Ensemble at once became one of the leading and most popular music groups of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Armenia</st1:country-region></st1:place>. Soon the ensemble expanded its repertoire to include masterpieces of classical and contemporary European, American, Russian and Armenian composers – while maintaining and affinity for Piazzolla. Arrangements of many famous works, including classical, world music and pop are now included in the ensemble’s musical menu. Also included are especially composed pieces dedicated to the Ensemble and its members.
Cadence has enjoyed international exposure through live broadcast of its concerts, and the production of three CDs and DVDs. As a result the Cadence Ensemble gets numerous invitations to perform in <st1:country-region w:st="on">Russia</st1:country-region>, the European, Asian, Gulf and <st1:place w:st="on">Middle East</st1:place> countries.
The first international tour of the ensemble took place in April 2005: with great success the Cadence has performed in the Teatro Colon of <st1:City w:st="on">Buenos Aires</st1:City> (<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Argentina</st1:country-region></st1:place>).
In July 2005 the ensemble and its soloists gave four highly acclaimed concerts and master-classes within the frames of the Pazaislis Festival in <st1:City w:st="on">Kaunas</st1:City> and <st1:City w:st="on">Vilnius</st1:City> (<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Lithuania</st1:country-region></st1:place>).
In December 2005 the ensemble participated in international music festivals taken place in <st1:City w:st="on">Tehran</st1:City> (<st1:country-region w:st="on">Iran</st1:country-region>) and <st1:City w:st="on">Tbilisi</st1:City> (<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Georgia</st1:country-region></st1:place>). In May 2006 the Cadence gave concerts in <st1:City w:st="on">Abu Dhabi</st1:City>, Sharjah and <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Dubai</st1:City></st1:place> (The United Arab Emirates). In September 2006 the Cadence Ensemble has performed with greatest success in <st1:City w:st="on">Cairo</st1:City> and Alexandria Opera Houses (<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Egypt</st1:country-region></st1:place>).<o:p></o:p>
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ARMEN BABAKHANIAN (Piano)
A prize-winner at several of the world's most prestigious international piano competitions including the Leeds, the Van Cliburn, the Guardian Dublin, the William Kappell, the Gina
Bachauer, and the World Piano Competition, Armen Babakhanian has captured the imagination of audiences and critics alike through the intensity and honesty of his performances.
Armen has given recitals in the <st1:country-region w:st="on">USA</st1:country-region>, <st1:country-region w:st="on">Canada</st1:country-region>, <st1:country-region w:st="on">Japan</st1:country-region>, the <st1:country-region w:st="on">United Kingdom</st1:country-region>, <st1:country-region w:st="on">Germany</st1:country-region>, <st1:country-region w:st="on">Austria</st1:country-region>, <st1:country-region w:st="on">Italy</st1:country-region>, <st1:country-region w:st="on">France</st1:country-region> and <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Spain</st1:country-region></st1:place>. He has appeared as soloist with the City of <st1:City w:st="on">Birmingham Symphony Orchestra</st1:City> under Sir Simon Rattle, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Irish National Symphony, National Symphony Orchestra (USA), <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Dallas</st1:place></st1:City>
Symphony, with Saint Petersburg Philharmonic under Yuri Temirkanov, with Moscow Philharmonic under Valery Gergiev.
Festival appearances include the <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Aspen</st1:place></st1:City>, Interlochen, Santander and Baalbec music festivals.<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
HAKOB JAGATSPANYAN (Guitar)<o:p></o:p>
Since 1995 he is professor of the Yerevan State Conservatory. He was named Laureate of the Third All-Union Festival of Guitarists (1982, <st1:City w:st="on">Dnepropetrovsk</st1:City>, <st1:country-region w:st="on">Ukraine</st1:country-region>), the most prestigious professional guitarists festival in the former <st1:place w:st="on">Soviet Union</st1:place>.
Hakob has given concerts and master-classes in <st1:country-region w:st="on">Ukraine</st1:country-region>, <st1:country-region w:st="on">Russia</st1:country-region>, <st1:country-region w:st="on">Georgia</st1:country-region>, <st1:country-region w:st="on">Estonia</st1:country-region>, <st1:country-region w:st="on">Belarus</st1:country-region>, <st1:country-region w:st="on">Germany</st1:country-region>, <st1:country-region w:st="on">Syria</st1:country-region>, <st1:country-region w:st="on">Poland</st1:country-region>, <st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Czech</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Republic</st1:PlaceType>, <st1:country-region w:st="on">Belgium</st1:country-region>, <st1:country-region w:st="on">France</st1:country-region>, <st1:country-region w:st="on">Italy</st1:country-region>, <st1:country-region w:st="on">Lebanon</st1:country-region>, the <st1:country-region w:st="on">USA</st1:country-region>, <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Lithuania</st1:country-region></st1:place>. His repertoire has major concerts and works for guitar by Vivaldi, Bach, Paganini, Ponce, Albenis, Granados, Moreno-Toroba, Rodrigo, Mikrotikos, Spanish flamenco, Latin American music, works and arrangements of modern composers.<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
ASHOT KHOYETSYAN (Violin)<o:p></o:p>
Prize-winner of three national music competitions.
While studying in the conservatory in 2002 he was invited by the Virtuosi of Armenia Chamber Orchestra to tour in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Iran</st1:country-region></st1:place>. The same year he joined the Yerevan Radio Symphony Orchestra.
Since 2003 he works in the Symphony Orchestra of Armenian National Opera and Ballet Theatre. In 2005 he was invited by maestro Valeri Gergiev to join the International Symphony Orchestra to perform in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Moscow</st1:City></st1:place> the jubilee concert celebrating the 60th Anniversary of Victory
in the WWII. Took part in the tours of the Symphony Orchestra of the Armenian National Opera
and Ballet Theatre in <st1:country-region w:st="on">Russia</st1:country-region>, <st1:country-region w:st="on">Turkey</st1:country-region> and <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Greece</st1:country-region></st1:place>.<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
GEVORG GASPARYAN (Accordion, Bandoneon)
Gevorg is the leading accordionist and the only bandoneon player in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Armenia</st1:country-region></st1:place>.<o:p></o:p>
His creative music activities were accompanied by teaching accordion in different music schools of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Yerevan</st1:City></st1:place>. Gevorg as virtuoso accordionist took part in international music festivals in the <st1:country-region w:st="on">UK</st1:country-region> and <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">France</st1:country-region></st1:place>. With different ensembles he toured in the <st1:country-region w:st="on">UK</st1:country-region>, <st1:country-region w:st="on">South Korea</st1:country-region>, <st1:country-region w:st="on">Russia</st1:country-region>, <st1:country-region w:st="on">Lebanon</st1:country-region>, <st1:country-region w:st="on">Turkey</st1:country-region>, <st1:country-region w:st="on">Jordan</st1:country-region>, <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Canada</st1:country-region></st1:place>, the UAE. He takes part in numerous recording projects, appearing also in video clips of known Armenian instrumentalists and pop singers.
Since 2004 he is member of the international orchestra accompanying great Lebanese singer Fairuz. Since the day of its foundation Gevorg is member of the Cadence Ensemble.<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
KHACHATUR SAVZYAN (Contrabass)<o:p></o:p>
Khachatur is one of the best classical and jazz contrabass players of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Armenia</st1:country-region></st1:place>. Getting higher music education at the Yerevan State Conservatory he performs intensively in known Armenian classical orchestras, chamber ensembles and jazz groups. In 2005 he accompanied the outstanding Lebanese composer Ziad Rahbani at his concerts in the UAE.
Being member of the Cadence Ensemble from the day of its foundation Khachatur is also the artist of Symphony Orchestra of the Armenian National Opera and Ballet Theatre.
As virtuoso contrabassist he performs regularly in different classical, jazz and pop music events and takes part in numerous recording projects.<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
For further info about the Cadence Ensemble (Programs, Discography, Touring Projects):<o:p></o:p>
http://www.nab.am/?sub=artists&id=7<o:p></o:p>
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[Osiris]

Originally Posted by mephisto794

On Sunday the 18<SUP>th</SUP> of February an outstanding Armenian ensemble, Cadence, formed by five outstanding Armenian instrumentalists is going to perform at the Assembly Hall, AUB (at 6 p.m.). If you appreciate classical and contemporary music, ranging from Argentinean to Armenian, believe me you wouldn’t miss this one.

Sounds great this combination of piano, guitar, violin, accordion and contrabass! Together and in addition to some Armenian touch = great outcome!

[Fedayi]

THey should be great cuz armenian musicians r used 2 impress us.

[mephisto794]

here's a small biography about Armen Babakhanian: (quite impressing)

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Armen Babakhanian

piano

A recent laureate of several of the world's most prestigious international piano competitions, including the Gina Bachauer (1991), the Van Cliburn (1993), the GPA Dublin (1994) and the William Kappel l (1994), and finalist of the Leeds (1997), Armen Babakhanian has captured the imagination of audiences and critics alike.
Born in Yerevan, Armenia, Babakhanian studied at the Tchaikovsky Special Music School in Yerevan for twelve years before attending the Yerevan Conservatory of Music where he studied with Anahit Bogdanian for a decade. He recently completed his Artist's Diploma of Music there and is now Artist-in-residence at the Conservatory.
Babakhanian has performed recitals in Armenia, Russia, Bulgaria, Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Japan and the United States. He has toured Austria with the Armenian National Symphony and appeared as a soloist with the Sofia Philharmonic Orchestra in Bulgaria, the St. Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra, the Irish National Symphony and the National Symphony Orchestra at the Kennedy Performing Arts Centre. During the autumn of 1994 he had recitals in 17 cities in North America, including Los Angeles, San Francisco, Boston, Toronto and Montreal. He made his New York debut recital at the Carnegie Hall in October 1994.
Armen Babakhanian has performed at the Wigmore Hall, London, and throughout the UK, Ireland, France and Spain. He has also given joint performances with the Lark String Quartet, the Moscow Trio, the American String Quartet and the Takács Quartet. His performance of the Shostakovich's Quintet for Piano with the Takács Quartet was named the best chamber performance of 1995.
In addition to performing, Babakhanian also gives masterclasses in Russia, Bulgaria, France, Spain and the USA.

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source

[mephisto794]

I attended the concert at AUB. Really OUTSTANDING!

the group will have another performance on Monday 19th, at LAU Jbeil.

[mephisto794]

Did I forget to mention that Today's performance will be for free? like no entrance fees?


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Dear LAU Family,

It is a pleasure to invite you all to an evening of selected classical music sponsored by the Lebanese American University, School of Arts and Sciences/Byblos Campus, and the Byblos International Festival in collaboration with the Hamazkayin Armenian Educational Cultural Society.

Time: Monday, February 19, 2007

Place: Byblos Campus, Selina Kurban Theater

Time: 8:00 p.m.

We look forward to sharing the evening with you.

Fouad Hashwa




Fouad Hashwa
Dean,
School of Arts and Sciences
Byblos Campus