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The Armenia International Music Festival hosted violinist Fumiaki Miura and conductor Conrad van Alphen to perform Alexey Shor's "The Four Seasons of Manhattan" for violin and orchestra and Tchaikovsky's "Swan Lake" suite with the Armenian State Symphony Orchestra, the orchestra told Panorama.am on Friday.

In 2009, the Japanese violinist was awarded the First Prize at the prestigious Joseph Joachim Hannover International Violin Competition, being the youngest winner in the history of the competition. Miura has collaborated with Yuri Bashmet, Mischa Maisky, Maria João Pires, Jonathan Roozeman, Pinchas Zukerman and many other famous artists. He has also had performances with a number of reputable orchestras under renowned conductors.

This was Fumiaki Miura's first appearance in Armenia. He shared some emotions, saying that in the present era of internet and technologies, he is trying to stay true to the music that is closest to his heart. Fumiaki Miura has delivered a master class with the scholarship holders of the Music for Future Cultural Foundation in the framework of the classical music academy under the same title.

Speaking of his meeting with young Armenian musicians, the violinist called them wonderful young people. "Although we had a very short meeting, I enjoyed working with them and was happy to share some of my skills and recommendations with young talents. I wish them to continue to work with their outstanding teachers, who play an immense role in the professional growth of young musicians," he noted.

Renowned conductor Conrad van Alphen stated that festivals always instil a festive spirit in him as musical fireworks featuring a multitude of artists and conductors performing various music. Talking about the pieces performed in the concert evening, he valued the "The Four Seasons of Manhattan" by Alexey Shor as highly melodic and beautiful works, enjoyed by the audiences. He also talked with warmth about Tchaikovsky’s “Swan Lake” suite as one of the composer’s pieces full of romantic energy. “This music makes you see soaring ballet dancers in your mind’s eye,” said the conductor. This was Conrad van Alphen’s second performance with the Armenian State Symphony Orchestra. “This is an open and warm orchestra and the musicians are very receptive and responsive to all my reactions,” he noted.

The online broadcasts of the Armenia International Music Festival concerts are available here.

The festival is organized by the Armenian State Symphony Orchestra and the European Foundation Support of Culturе. Ever since it was launched in 2017, the annual festival has been receiving the support of the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture, and Sports of the Republic of Armenia. The 5th festival of 2021 started on September 29 and the closing concert will be held on October 29. The month-long festival is a wonderful opportunity for enthusiasts of classical music to enjoy the rich repertoire of performances by celebrated artists from around the world.