Julian Gallant Conductor, pianist Director, Pushkin House

08 June, 2007

I had the honour and pleasure of conducting the Armenian Philharmonic in June 2006. I’m bound to day to say that this was a joyous experience. The musicians of the orchestra are delightful to work with; at the same time they are disciplined and hard-working. I’d like to congratulate Maestro Topchjan on the level to which he has brought the ensemble.

The program included Shostakovich’s Festival Overture, Rachmaninoff’s Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini and the Third Symphony of Robert Schumann. The orchestra played with great virtuosity and clarity in the Shostakovich and Rachmaninoff, yet produced a much more introverted (and entirely appropriate) sound for the Schumann – even though this symphony is rarely played in Yerevan.
The Armenian Philharmonic is run very efficiently and enjoys financial stability; as everybody knows, these aspects are of immense importance.