Nikoghayos Tigranian - Piano Works (Mikael Ayrapetyan)

Information

Composer: Nikoghayos Tigranian

• (01) Armenian Folk Dances
• (12) Bayati-kurd, Op. 2
• (13) Bayati-shiraz, Op. 3
• (14) Heydari, Op. 5 (version for piano)
• (15) Shakhnaz, Op. 6 (version for piano)
• (16) Nouruz Arabi, Op. 10

Mikael Ayrapetyan, piano
Date: 2019
Label: Grand Piano
https://grandpianorecords.com/Album/AlbumDetails/GP798

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Review

Spanning nearly a century, having been born in 1856, Nikoghayos Tigranian, became one of the founders of an Armenian national style of composition. Blind from the age of nine, his parents did everything possible to give him a wide education. They found him piano mentors who adapted to his impairment, taking him to such a degree of excellence that he was subsequently to tour as an acclaimed concert pianist. He also studied composition, though it was by collecting folk music in the form of dances, that he made such a major contribution to Armenian music. That collection was then published in his books of piano transcriptions. The disc opens with eleven that appeared in 1935, and were to awaken much interest in charming and happy music. He was also responsible for early recordings of Armenian dances, though it would appear that the contents of the disc are all ‘World Premiere Recordings’. Following these dances, we have several pieces that move into the world of classical music. They are much coloured by East European influences and his exposure to Russian classical music. There are also pictures, the final track—Nouruz Arabi—being his impression of morning in Arabia with the warmth of the sun creating a grand conclusion. This is the fourth volume of his national music presented by the much acclaimed Armenian pianist, Mikael Ayrapetyan. It does not call for outgoing technical accomplishment, but it has here found a most persuasive advocate. The recording made in the Great Hall of the Moscow State Conservatory last year is of very high quality.

-- David Denton, David's Review Corner

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Nikoghayos Tigranian (1856-1951) was among the first generation of composers and folk song collectors in Armenia, who laid the foundation for an Armenian national style. Losing his sight due to smallpox, Tigranian studied music at the Viennese Institute for the Blind, and also studied with Nikolai Soloviev in St Petersburg. His career was rich and varied. He was an expert on the music of several regions besides Armenia, and taught and wrote extensively about these subjects. His work in recording and transcribing Armenian music was to have a significant impact on the development of Armenian art music.
https://www.naxos.com/person/Nikoghayos_Tigranian/325784.htm

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Mikael Ayrapetyan (born 1984 in Yerevan) is an Armenian pianist, composer, producer and teacher. It was during his studies at the Moscow State Conservatory that Ayrapetyan began to explore rarely performed works by Armenian composers. After completing his studies, he performed widely in many countries, receiving an enthusiastic response from critics and audiences alike. Ayrapetyan has done much to popularise Armenian classical music all over the world with his Secrets of Armenia musical project. He was awarded the State Prize of the Republic of Armenia for his outstanding contribution.
https://grandpianorecords.com/Artist/ArtistDetails/216023

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