Armenian News Network / Groong April 30, 2007 by Sahan Arzruni NEW YORK, NEW YORK A few weeks ago, on April 14, I was invited to listen to cellist Jian Wang perform Chinese composer Huang Roa's concerto `People Mountain People Sea' at New York's Miller theatre. However, the real revelation for me was to hear -- during the same concert, cleverly named `Pocket Concertos' -- Emma Tahmizian to premiere Sebastian Currier's Piano Concerto. I knew about Emma, but had not heard her perform. Nor had I met her in person. A mutual friend, Felice Takakjian Bedrossian had spoken to me about Emma's prodigious gifts earlier. A few years ago, when I was at a gathering of piano teachers at the Sofia Conservatory, they spoke about Emma Tahmizian as being the best pianist Bulgaria had produced in recent times. Now based in New York for about twenty years, she is active at various music festivals, integrating new music with old masters in her program. First prize winner of the Robert Schumann International Competition, Tahmizian is also the winner in the Tchaikovsky, Bach and Smetana contests. As I was listening to her play at Miller Theatre, here are some of the thoughts that came to me: hair-trigger articulation, biting cynicism, fiery lyricism, graceful aplomb, quiet intensity, volcanic energy, jubilant humanity, marvellous lucidity, photographic precision, rhythmic continuity... Her overall performance also suggested the colour of hibiscus, the aroma of quince, the taste of pralines and the texture of macadamia nuts. It was an exquisite experience. -- Master pianist Sahan Arzruni enjoys an international career, known also as a composer, ethnomusicologist, producer, teacher, lecturer, writer, recording artist and broadcasting personality.
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