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YEREVAN, APRIL 15, ARMENPRESS. The prominent American-Armenian conductor George Pehlivanian has been involved in a number of initiatives dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. In an interview with “Armenpress”, Maestro Pehlivanian reflected on the concerts in Brussels and Yerevan and other initiatives as well.
- On April 26 a concert will be held dedicated to the anniversary of the Armenian Genocide in Belgian capital of Brussels. Please tell us about this concert.
-The concert on April 26 Will be given in symbolically one of Europe's Most important cities. Brussels is where All of Europe's political heads Gather to decide their future.
This special concert has gathered 3 of the Most well know soloists in the music world and I have the pleasure Also to conduct the Belgian National Orchestra, the Best in the country.
The fact that 3 of the Best known Russian soloists are taking part in remembering and honoring the Victims of our saddest days in our history, says a lot about solidarity and comradery from our Russian/Jewish friends.
If any people can understand the significance and ampler of the Armenian Genocide, it's the Jewish people . Having Also gone through calculated and willful extermination themselves in the hands of Nazi power some Thirty years later.
In many people’s opinion, our Brussels concert on April 26, will become one of the Most important ones globally in 2015. The shear quality and Great talents in one evening and on one stage, gives an International message to the whole world, and specially from non-Armenian world stars, joined by myself and the Belgian National Orchestra.
- The premiere of new work of the young composer Alexander Iravyan will be held during the concert. It is specially written for this concert and devoted to 100th anniversary of the Armenian genocide. The work is called «DNA15-15». Do you like this new work?
- The new work by young Armenian composer Iradyan, is well written and intelligently composed for a large orchestra. We All wish the young composer à good success and many years of More creative composing.
- The 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide will be commemorated on April 24, 2015. Are you planning to visit Armenia and stand beside the Armenian people on this symbolic date?
- April 24 has always been a special date for me, It was my mother's birthday, my sister Is Born on April 23 and I April 20! Our whole musical family was always tied with the Armenian Spirit, my mother dedicated her life to keeping the Armenian Art Song alive throughout the Diaspora and to all her students.
My sister and I have followed our mother's footsteps, and I have pushed forward to reaching the peaks of International levels of performances.
Every April 24 we have remembered and commemorated our concerts to the Armenian Genocide. 2015 is Just a very Special Year and a significant symbolic landmark in history .
I Will be visiting Armenia for a Special commemorative 100th Anniversary concert that I will give at the Yerevan State Opera House on April 18. I Have Also commissioned a new work by Vache Sharafyan, for Children choir and ensemble, which Will be sung by the AYB Armenian School and the French International School of Armenia. Symbolizing that Armenia's future comes through our Children and I have decided to commemorate the Centenary in Yerevan with our Future and our Hope for tomorrow!
- What a lesson should we learn from the Armenian Genocide and after the 100th anniversary, what should be the steps of the Armenian people?
-What lesson can one learn from any Genocide? What did the Jews learn from their Holocaust ? The Armenian future steps has only 1 way to go, UNITY.
United We stand , divided we fall.
- What are your future plans? Tell us please about your new projects.
- Right after the April 18 concert in Yerevan Opera House, I fly to Paris where I live with my wife and 2 lovely Children. And then off to Brussels to prepare the Brussels April 26 concert. Then i fly early morning of April 27 to Valencia for immediate rehearsals with the Valencia Symphony Orchestra for a concert in April 30, and then I begin my International Music Festival in Le Touquet Paris Plage in France. Where I dedicate All the Festival to the 100 Anniversary of the Genocide, and where I invite many Armenian Artists from Yerevan and the Armenian Children Choir to sing with me as well. Our Last concert Will be in the Grand Auditorium of the UNESCO ! Representative of All the World! I think the Armenian Message Will get through to All the world through these concerts! Looking very much forward for the next month of busy schedule and many enriching concerts.
Interview by Roza Grigoryan