AUA Hosts Release of New CD Collection of Armenian Chamber Music

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YEREVAN, Armenia — On March 25, the American University of Armenia (AUA) hosted a presentation of the newly released four-CD set “Serenade with a Dandelion: Armenian Chamber Music, Old and New.” Sponsored by the University of California, Los Angeles’ (UCLA) Armenian Music Program and published by New Focus Recordings, this collection of chamber and vocal music features Armenian composers of different generations: from Komitas to today’s young composers.

The CD presentation in AUA’s Akian Art Gallery included remarks by AUA Assistant Professor Artur Avanesov and Distinguished Professor of Violin at UCLA’s Herb Alpert School of Music Movses Pogossian. The project’s curator, Pogossian also contributed to the CD as a performer, while Avanesov was among the composers featured on the CD. The latter teaches several music courses in AUA’s undergraduate program.  

Renowned Armenian composers Tigran Mansurian and Vache Sharafyan were in attendance, and each shared his insights on his own compositions included in the collection. Dr. Melissa Bilal, the newly appointed Promise Chair in Armenian Music, Arts, and Culture at UCLA and a former visiting professor at AUA, enriched the discourse with her research on Diaspora Armenian composer Koharig Ghazarossian.

The presentation was attended by AUA students, faculty, and staff, as well as members of the public. During the event, fragments of the CD recordings were played. In addition, Avanesov performed his piano piece Des Fischers Liebestod. 

The presentation concluded with a lively Q&A session.

Founded in 1991, the American University of Armenia (AUA) is a private, independent university located in Yerevan, Armenia, affiliated with the University of California, and accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission in the United States. AUA provides local and international students with Western-style education through top-quality undergraduate and graduate degree and certificate programs, promotes research and innovation, encourages civic engagement and community service, and fosters democratic values.