In Memory of Andranik Aroustamian

Jun 12

Presented by Homayoon Beigi

Andranik Aroustamian, playing Oriental Seranade in Chahargah on the Persian Kamancheh

Andranik Aroustamian was an Iranian-Armenian born in the USSR, but of Iranian heritage. At the time of Stalin, due to his Iranian heritage, he was able to migrate to Iran with his mother and initially lived in the city of Rasht in Iran. He spent the 1940s in Iran and while there, he played on the Iranian National Radio. Abul Hassan Saba, a renowned Persian musicologist, composer and musician, called Aroustamian "a vertuoso master of the kamancheh in Iran. He sold out the Carnegie Hall on a Kamancheh Solo program. He was called the Paganini of Kamancheh by the Village Voice in the early 1980s.

About the Artist

Andranik Aroustamian, an Iranian-Armenian born in the former USSR, emigrated to the U.S. in 1971 and quickly established a distinguished career. Aroustamian is credited with establishing the kamnncheh in the United States as a classical instrument for the concert stage. In New York, his performances at such concert halls as the Camegie Hall, Alice Tully Hall of the New York Philharmonic at Lincoln Center, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art, drew praise from John Rockwell, The New York Times critic, who noted that Aroustamian "is a kamancheh virtuoso, a distinguished master of his unusual instrument." Sin-dlarly impressed, Tom Johnson of 'Me Village Voice, wrote that "Aroustamian tossed off a cadenza that could have been written by Paganini, with speed that few Westemers could match." He has also appeared in Los Angeles, Washington D. C., Boston, Ann Arbor, Vermont, and Philadelphia. Aroustamian's music embraces many different civ@tions. In New York City alone, he was the featured artist at SL Vartan's Armenian Cathedral. In addition, he played at New York City's Plaza Hotel to celebrate Islamic Culture and Civilization. Farokh Bay, the director of the Turkish Radio and Television called Aroustamian, "the world's king of kamancheh." Enlightning his multifaceted career, he was the guest soloist at a concert commemorating the 44th anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto uprising in a ceremony hosted by New York City Mayor Koch, which was televised for the CBS-TV. He has performed before packed houses of dignitaries representing various governments and members of the United States Congress. In Europe, he has played throughout France, and Switzerland. Francoise Grund, Director of the Rennes, France, International Music Festival, commented that Aroustamian's concerts "were received with the rapture and passion that only the greatest soloists know and can arouse in their public." In addition, Armine Dikij'ian, music critic for the Arinenian-English Press, wrote that "Aroustamian is without doubt the foremost living kamanchist. In elevating the kamancheh to the level of a classical instrument, he has opened up new worlds of sound." According to Aroustamian, presently, there are a number of kamancheh players in the world. However, only a handful of these musicians have gained prominence and popularity. He has developed his skills to such a height that he can play intricate classical compositions, as well as popular pieces, derived from the works of both Eastern and Western composers. He also plays his own compositions with arrangements for the piano accompaniments. The Russian press in New York also adds their acclaim: "Andranik Aroustamian, a gifted kamanchist, is an artist of the highest rank who evokes delight by drawing from the kamancheh a full-bodied and beautiful singing sound by means of a rare virtuosity, brilliant technique and the profound musicality of a master." Aroustamian received his early training in Kharkov. As a young man he moved to Iran where he continued his professional training. Then in 1946 he emigrated to Russia to the Armenian city of Yerevan. For many years he conducted the Ensemble of Folklorist Instruments and was the solo kamanchist with the Yerevan Armenian State Philharmonic. Later, he performed as a soloist with the Baku Azerbaijan Philharmonic. He appeared on local radio and television programs and has recorded his music with piano accompaniment. He also performed as guest soloist and concertmaster with the oriental section of the famed Moiseyev Dance Ensemble, touring such major music centers as Moscow and Leningrad. In addition, Aroustamian engaged in extensive musical activities in Iran, performing both as a kamanchist and conductor. The highlights of his performances in Iran include an appearance as soloist at the Imperial Palace in Tehran and extensive solo recitals on radio. Abul Hassan Saba, a renowned Persian musicologist, composer and musician, called Aroustamian "a vertuoso master of the kamancheh in Iran. He was my beloved Kamancheh teacher and mentor from 1982 to 1993 when he passed away in New York.

Additional links -

Andranik Aroustamian -- Kamancheh -- Oriental Serenade:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJJv6hZg9_0

Persian Dance:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OIPKJBd81AQ

Fereshteh (A Persian Improvisation written for the wife of his dear friend)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7AxdJPXawUA

Velayate Delkash (A Persian Melody)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=laszJB5R81c

Siretsi Yars Daran (Armenian folk song)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2zAbR7IiX4

Soune ene Guelhken (A melody written around Saya Nova's poetry)