A fresh chapter in my life began in July 2005 when a dream came true and I became an independent artist in my own Art Salon in Yerevan, Armenia. I play and record my beloved composers with an utmost joy on a very unique, almost 150 years old Steinway Concert Grand from 1875 of very rare “spirited” Serpentine Rosewood…Most importantly, I am not alone…
Since 2005, our Art Salon has been expanding not just with Sound Vibrations but with incredible infusions of Light and Color in most dramatic “recordings” by Maral. Her surprisingly discovered artistry with monumental oil paintings have extended beyond any wall limitations…She is a rare fusion of artistic soul and dynamic personality, that still amazes me…
If you need to know what was before, please continue reading …
A great romantic virtuoso, Artur Papazian has excited the public and fascinated music critics with his consummate artistry throughout the world. His skills are best summarized by Warsaw’s Antenna as “…a rare combination of brilliant intelligence, extraordinary pianism, and originality without foregoing traditions.”
Born in Yerevan, Armenia, Artur was recognized as a child prodigy with his imaginative solo and orchestral performances at a very early age. His musical training began at the age of six, but recognizing his special gifts, he was immediately transferred to Tchaikovsky Music High School for gifted children. He graduated in 1972 with a Gold Medal and the same year won the First Prize at Transcaucasian Competition in Baku.
In the following five years he studied at Yerevan Gomidas Conservatory with George Saradjev and was the only recipient of the prestigious Lenin Scholarship. He would also become the first student in the conservatory history to win an international prize — Silver Medal at Bedrich Smetana Piano Competition (1974).
During his post-graduate studies at Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory with Yakov Milshtein, he won the Grand Prix at Vianna da Motta International Competition in Lisbon, Portugal (1979) and the Bronze Medal at The Chopin International Piano Competition in Warsaw, Poland (1980). He also released his first record albums: two with Veriton in Poland (Bach, Beethoven, Chopin) and one with Melodia in USSR (Chopin).
Artur Papazian moved to United States in 1984 and on March 20, 1985 he made a truly impressive American Debut at Carnegie Hall in its prestigious “Keyboard Virtuoso Series”. The New York Times wrote “…Papazian’s …debut at Carnegie Hall must be counted as one of the season’s most exciting concerts... Mr. Papazian has a seamless piano technique—virtuosic but never ostentatious; his playing is at all times musical.” A year later The New York Times was at hand again for yet another rave review “…his performances were splendid.”
Many solo and orchestral performances followed in prestigious halls of Northern America and Europe, but Carnegie Hall would remain his favorite, where he would return for his most ambitious performance and live recordings.
On March 28, 1995, Artur Papazian made history at a full-house Carnegie Hall; he performed in one-sitting all 24 Etudes and 24 Preludes of Frédéric Chopin. That historic and daring program was captured live on video by Peter Rosen Productions as “Papazian Live! Chopin - Etudes and Preludes” (released on VHS and CD in 1997 and on DVD in 2004)
That same year, on November 19th, he returned to yet another full-house Carnegie Hall performance and live recording, with a program of Chopin’s Polonaises and Liszt’s B-minor Sonata.
The next live recording project became his Lincoln Center debut at Avery Fisher Hall on March 17, 1997 with a program of Mozart, Chopin (all Ballades) and Debussy (Preludes-Book I).
“Papazian Live!” received its World premier broadcast in February 1997 on A&E Television Networks’ “Breakfast with the Arts”. It became the most watched classical program with millions of viewers in North America and Mexico. Due to public demand, the program was repeated in October 1997 together with a special interview with Mr. Papazian.
In November 2000, PBS (WLIW21 Public Television) also aired two broadcasts of “Papazian Live!” and interviews with Mr. Papazian on “Metro Guide – New York”.
Millions of music lovers In Europe and all over the world have also watched “Papazian Live!” through regular broadcasts via French satellite TV Channel “MEZZO” (formerly “MUZZIK”).
Papazian’s artistry has also been recorded in a most unusual way — his extraordinary passion and drama have been captured on monumental size oil canvases. These creations began to emerge miraculously since 1993, painted by his life companion, MARAL, a practicing civil engineer in heavy construction, with absolutely no background in painting! After sharing Papazian’s life and music for ten years, she had the urge not only to depict this most romantic and expressive musician, but also to present the true life of a genuine artist. Several canvases were showcased on the stage of Avery Fisher Hall, Lincoln Center, during Papazian’s recital on March 17, 1997.