YEREVAN (Noyan Tapan)–The "Armenia’s Legacy" piano contest has been concluded in Armenia. Performers from eight countries participated in the contest–and 42 of 54 participants won national and international contests. Three age groups participated: under 13–13-18–and 18-30.
Artistic Director of the festival Armen Babakhanian was jury chairman. The jury included: Anahit Boghdanian (Armenia)–Igor Yavrian (Armenia)–Paul Polay (USA)–Anna Malikova (Russia)–Avo Kuyumjian (Austria)–and Bernd Getske (Germany).
In the first age group (under 13) Yana Danielian (Armenia) won first place. No one won the first place among the performers of the second age group (13-18)–however Karen Hakobian (Armenia) won second place and a cash bonus of $1,000. In the third age group Ruben Dalibaltian (Bosnia-Herzegovina) won first place and received a cash bonus of $5,000. Stepan Simonian (Russian) won second place and a cash bonus of $3,000.
A special prize and the opportunity of going on tour was granted to Yeghine Rapian (Armenia). Areg Simonian won a $500 bonus and fourth place in the third age group–for the best performance of Egemy Alesyan’s "Libre Parcous" (the compulsory composition of the second round).
Armen Babakhanian pointed out that the goal of the contest was to find and support young pianists. It is impossible for a performer to enter the international stage without participating in contests.
As to why Egemy Alesyan’s composition was compulsory for the second round–Babakhanian said that it had a number of necessary peculiarities–such as a new concept of the musical space and time–technical complexity–and necessary duration.
At the closing ceremony an announcement was made stating that the preparations for an international piano contest in 2003 have got under way. Babakhanian said that he believes in the potential of the Armenian people and thinks that all the world must know about it.
The contest was one of the events organized celebrating the 1700th anniversary of proclamation of Christianity in Armenia–and was organized by the "Christian Armenia-1700" fund–"Kadans" center of chamber music–Ministry of Culture–Sports and Youth Affairs–and the Yerevan State Conservatory. The principal sponsor of the contest was the "Christian Armenia-1700" fund sponsored by the Armenian General Benevolent Union.