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YOUNG CONCERT ARTISTS TRIUMPHS AT ALICE TULLY HALL
Huffington Post
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jim-luce/young-concert-artists-tri_b_1533221.html
May 24 2012
Jim Luce, James Jay Dudley Luce Foundation
Last week Young Concert Artists (YCA) held its annual Gala Concert
at Alice Tully Hall with the Orchestra of St. Luke's, presenting the
Lincoln Center debuts of three young soloists to a sold out house. The
event began with a welcome by the distinguished pianist Emanuel Ax,
a proud YCA alum and continued with a tribute to renowned tenor
Robert White.
Narek Hakhnazaryan. Photo: XIV International Tchaikovsky Competition
(June 2011).
Then came the first soloist, Gold Medal Winner of the 2011 Tchaikovsky
International Competition in Moscow, the Armenian cellist Narek
Hakhnazaryan, with an intense and soulful performance of Elgar's
Concerto. His impassioned cello sound sailed over the orchestra in
lyrical sections and his virtuosity in the Scherzo of the work was
dazzling. He received a rousing ovation.
Ran Dank at the piano. Photo: Gabriel Rivera/The Kaufman Center
(October 2011).
The orchestra, dynamically led by conductor Jorge Mester, then
supported Israeli pianist Ran Dank in the Prokofiev Concerto No. 2
-- a rarely performed work of fiendish difficulty. Dank powerfully
pulled off the piece's fireworks, glissandos, racing notes, crossed
hands and keyboard leaps with perfect accuracy and seeming ease, and
played the work's melancholy melodies with a singing piano tone. His
mastery received another ovation from the audience.
After intermission, Young Concert Artists, the gold-standard non-profit
that has started the careers of many renowned classical musicians,
showed that it could "push the envelope" by presenting Tchaikovsky's
beloved Violin Concerto performed by Hahn-Bin.
Hahn-Bin appeared on stage wrapped in an American flag as he has just
filed his application to become a U.S. citizen, later switching to
the Gay Pride flag.
Hahn-Bin is a violinist of exceptional brilliance and heart-wrenching
emotionalism that carried the familiar score to its heights. But in
addition, Hahn-Bin brought his stunning "performance art" to the stage,
wrapped for his entrance in an American flag which he dropped to the
floor, showing his garb of all-denim shorts and vest, black hiking
shoes and platinum hair.
As he played, he proceeded to walk around and through the orchestra,
sit in a chair, kneel on the floor, and ultimately, climb a set
of stairs for the triumphant end of the work. The response of the
sophisticated audience to this Itzhak Perlman-trained prodigy as he
combined all-American and gay imagery to Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto
was amazing. He was given a screaming, standing ovation.
Narek Hakhnazaryan. Photo: XIV International Tchaikovsky Competition.
Guest of Honor was the renowned tenor Robert White is one of the most
cherished figures in the music world. His career -- which began when
he was seven and continues vibrantly to this day - started in radio
where he performed with such luminaries as Fred Allen, Frank Sinatra
and Bob Hope.
Narek Hakhnazaryan. Photo: XIV International Tchaikovsky Competition.
Robert White has appeared with the New York Philharmonic under Leonard
Bernstein, and has sung for six U. S. Presidents - Truman, Kennedy,
Carter, Reagan, Ford and Clinton. His varied discography includes
recordings with Yo-Yo Ma, Placido Domingo, Marilyn Horne, Samuel
Sanders and Stephen Hough; "Favorite Irish songs of Princess Grace"
with the Monte Carlo Philharmonic; and Handel Arias with the City of
London Baroque Sinfonia. His latest CD includes Songs of World War
II with William Bolcom and Joan Morris. A member of the faculty of
the Juilliard School and the Doctoral program at CUNY, Robert White
is a devoted mentor to young singers.
Ran Dank. Photo: Gabriel Rivera/The Kaufman Center (October 2011).
Young Concert Artists, Inc., founded in 1961 by Susan Wadsworth, has
discovered and launched the careers of extraordinary performers. Since
1994 it has also filled that role for outstanding young composers. One
of YCA's Composers, Kevin Puts, was just awarded the Pulitzer Prize
for Music. Among YCA 's 270 "Alumni" are such world-famous performers
as soprano Dawn Upshaw; pianists Jean-Yves Thibaudet, Emanuel Ax,
Olli Mustonen, Jeremy Denk, Murray Perahia, Christopher O'Riley,
Anne-Marie McDermott, Richard Goode, and Jean-Efflam Bavouzet; cellists
Carter Brey and Fred Sherry; flutists Marya Martin, Paula Robison, and
Eugenia Zukerman; clarinetists Todd Palmer and Alexander Fiterstein;
violinists Ani Kavafian, Ida Kavafian, Chee-Yun and Pinchas Zukerman;
and the Tokyo, Borromeo, and St. Lawrence String Quartets.
Narek Hakhnazaryan. Photo: XIV International Tchaikovsky Competition.
YCA artists - on all instruments and voice - are chosen through the
annual Young Concert Artists International Auditions. The Winners'
prizes are manifold. As members of Young Concert Artists, each receives
all management services which bring concert engagements throughout the
U.S, and each winner is presented in New York, Washington and Boston
debut concerts. Through YCA's Annaliese Soros Educational Residency
Program, YCA artists also perform for and interact with thousands of
students nationwide.
Narek Hakhnazaryan. Photo: XIV International Tchaikovsky Competition.
Attending Young Concert Artists performances, each under the guidance
of the five-decade long leadership of Susan Wadsworth, is a highpoint
of my life in New York City. All three artists last week were of the
highest caliber and this annual event is one not to be missed. Sign
up for their mailing list (link) and see what everyone is talking
about yourself!
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
Huffington Post
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jim-luce/young-concert-artists-tri_b_1533221.html
May 24 2012
Jim Luce, James Jay Dudley Luce Foundation
Last week Young Concert Artists (YCA) held its annual Gala Concert
at Alice Tully Hall with the Orchestra of St. Luke's, presenting the
Lincoln Center debuts of three young soloists to a sold out house. The
event began with a welcome by the distinguished pianist Emanuel Ax,
a proud YCA alum and continued with a tribute to renowned tenor
Robert White.
Narek Hakhnazaryan. Photo: XIV International Tchaikovsky Competition
(June 2011).
Then came the first soloist, Gold Medal Winner of the 2011 Tchaikovsky
International Competition in Moscow, the Armenian cellist Narek
Hakhnazaryan, with an intense and soulful performance of Elgar's
Concerto. His impassioned cello sound sailed over the orchestra in
lyrical sections and his virtuosity in the Scherzo of the work was
dazzling. He received a rousing ovation.
Ran Dank at the piano. Photo: Gabriel Rivera/The Kaufman Center
(October 2011).
The orchestra, dynamically led by conductor Jorge Mester, then
supported Israeli pianist Ran Dank in the Prokofiev Concerto No. 2
-- a rarely performed work of fiendish difficulty. Dank powerfully
pulled off the piece's fireworks, glissandos, racing notes, crossed
hands and keyboard leaps with perfect accuracy and seeming ease, and
played the work's melancholy melodies with a singing piano tone. His
mastery received another ovation from the audience.
After intermission, Young Concert Artists, the gold-standard non-profit
that has started the careers of many renowned classical musicians,
showed that it could "push the envelope" by presenting Tchaikovsky's
beloved Violin Concerto performed by Hahn-Bin.
Hahn-Bin appeared on stage wrapped in an American flag as he has just
filed his application to become a U.S. citizen, later switching to
the Gay Pride flag.
Hahn-Bin is a violinist of exceptional brilliance and heart-wrenching
emotionalism that carried the familiar score to its heights. But in
addition, Hahn-Bin brought his stunning "performance art" to the stage,
wrapped for his entrance in an American flag which he dropped to the
floor, showing his garb of all-denim shorts and vest, black hiking
shoes and platinum hair.
As he played, he proceeded to walk around and through the orchestra,
sit in a chair, kneel on the floor, and ultimately, climb a set
of stairs for the triumphant end of the work. The response of the
sophisticated audience to this Itzhak Perlman-trained prodigy as he
combined all-American and gay imagery to Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto
was amazing. He was given a screaming, standing ovation.
Narek Hakhnazaryan. Photo: XIV International Tchaikovsky Competition.
Guest of Honor was the renowned tenor Robert White is one of the most
cherished figures in the music world. His career -- which began when
he was seven and continues vibrantly to this day - started in radio
where he performed with such luminaries as Fred Allen, Frank Sinatra
and Bob Hope.
Narek Hakhnazaryan. Photo: XIV International Tchaikovsky Competition.
Robert White has appeared with the New York Philharmonic under Leonard
Bernstein, and has sung for six U. S. Presidents - Truman, Kennedy,
Carter, Reagan, Ford and Clinton. His varied discography includes
recordings with Yo-Yo Ma, Placido Domingo, Marilyn Horne, Samuel
Sanders and Stephen Hough; "Favorite Irish songs of Princess Grace"
with the Monte Carlo Philharmonic; and Handel Arias with the City of
London Baroque Sinfonia. His latest CD includes Songs of World War
II with William Bolcom and Joan Morris. A member of the faculty of
the Juilliard School and the Doctoral program at CUNY, Robert White
is a devoted mentor to young singers.
Ran Dank. Photo: Gabriel Rivera/The Kaufman Center (October 2011).
Young Concert Artists, Inc., founded in 1961 by Susan Wadsworth, has
discovered and launched the careers of extraordinary performers. Since
1994 it has also filled that role for outstanding young composers. One
of YCA's Composers, Kevin Puts, was just awarded the Pulitzer Prize
for Music. Among YCA 's 270 "Alumni" are such world-famous performers
as soprano Dawn Upshaw; pianists Jean-Yves Thibaudet, Emanuel Ax,
Olli Mustonen, Jeremy Denk, Murray Perahia, Christopher O'Riley,
Anne-Marie McDermott, Richard Goode, and Jean-Efflam Bavouzet; cellists
Carter Brey and Fred Sherry; flutists Marya Martin, Paula Robison, and
Eugenia Zukerman; clarinetists Todd Palmer and Alexander Fiterstein;
violinists Ani Kavafian, Ida Kavafian, Chee-Yun and Pinchas Zukerman;
and the Tokyo, Borromeo, and St. Lawrence String Quartets.
Narek Hakhnazaryan. Photo: XIV International Tchaikovsky Competition.
YCA artists - on all instruments and voice - are chosen through the
annual Young Concert Artists International Auditions. The Winners'
prizes are manifold. As members of Young Concert Artists, each receives
all management services which bring concert engagements throughout the
U.S, and each winner is presented in New York, Washington and Boston
debut concerts. Through YCA's Annaliese Soros Educational Residency
Program, YCA artists also perform for and interact with thousands of
students nationwide.
Narek Hakhnazaryan. Photo: XIV International Tchaikovsky Competition.
Attending Young Concert Artists performances, each under the guidance
of the five-decade long leadership of Susan Wadsworth, is a highpoint
of my life in New York City. All three artists last week were of the
highest caliber and this annual event is one not to be missed. Sign
up for their mailing list (link) and see what everyone is talking
about yourself!
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress