Armen Babakhanyan & Jivan Gasparyan Jr. Perform in the Cafesjian Classical Music Series

A unique duo of piano and duduk was presented at the Cafesjian Center for the Arts in Cafesjian Classical Music Series. Armen Babakhanyan and young duduk player, Jivan Gasparyan Junior (the grandson of famous duduk player Jivan Gasparyan) performed works by Schubert, Sayat-Nova and Komitas, Barsegh Kanachyan and Arno Babajanyan. Jivan Gasparyan, Jr., born on October 23, 1982 in Yerevan, Armenia, has always been inspired by traditional Armenian folk melodies performed by famous grandfather, duduk-player Jivan Gasparyan. As a young boy, he studied music, piano, vocals and musical grammar at Yerevan Vocal School, where he excelled as a student. At the same time Jivan was also learning the art of playing the duduk from his grandfather. After making sure that Jivan Jr. was ready for stage appearances, the elder Gasparyan changed his trio into a quartet to include Jivan Jr. One of the most celebrated Armenian pianists Armen Babakhanian is an awardee of the Leeds (5th prize), Van Cliburn (3rd prize), and Gina Bachauer (2nd prize) competitions. His performance of Dmitri Shostakovich's Piano Quintet along with the Takács Quartet at the XIII Paloma O'Shea Competition earned him the Chamber Music award. These awards launched an intense international concert career. On May 26, 2008 Babakhanian was distinguished an Artist Emeritus of Armenia. Armen has given recitals in the USA, Canada, Japan, the United Kingdom, Germany, Austria, Italy, France and Spain.