EMMA TAHMIZIAN, A NIFTY PIANIST

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.