IN CONCERT: NAREK ARUTYUNIAN, CLARINETIST, IN NEW YORK DEBUT

Armenian News Network / Groong
December 28, 2011
Entertainment Wire

By Sahan Arzruni
NEW YORK, NEW YORK


Style and attitude are two musical hallmarks of the young Armenian
clarinetist Narek Arutyunian.  In his debut recital at New York's
Merkin Hall on December 13, Mr. Arutyunian, the winner of 2010 Young
Concert Artists Auditions, performed a balanced, thoughtful program,
reflective of his very fine attributes as a musician and
instrumentalist.

Perhaps his most distinctive quality is the remarkably even tone he
produces.  Whether expressing the dark, rich lower register of the
clarinet, the bright and sweet middle range, or the piercing top end,
Arutyunian creates a seamless tonal spectrum-at times virile and
biting, or tender and cuddly.

Arutyunian's technical ability on the instrument is just short of
miraculous.  Instrumental leaps are seemingly effortless, and
unconventional figurations leave him unfazed.  With natural ease and
grace, he keeps precisely on target at all times.

Youthful energy is projected not only in Arutyunian's music making,
but also in his stage presence.  In time, one hopes, he will learn to
curb excessive movement on stage, which on the whole diminishes his
impressive delivery of essential artistic meaning.

The recital selections of Poulenc's quirky Sonata, Franix's suave Tema
con Variazione, Horovitz's jejune Sonatina, Weber's facile Duo
Concertant, Denisov's jagged Sonata, and Schoenfield's entertaining
Souvenirs made for an enjoyable listening. Mr. Arutyunian's
interpretations throughout were convincing and full of character; his
playing soulfully elegant and colorfully vivacious.

Steven Beck was impressive as the soloist's pianist-partner.  Reviewed
by Sahan Arzruni

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Master pianist Sahan Arzruni enjoys an international career, and is
also known as a composer, ethnomusicologist, producer, teacher,
lecturer, writer, recording artist and broadcasting personality.