Serouj Kradjian

Programme III, Friday April 3, 2009, 8:00 pm
Pre-Concert Chat hosted by Keith Horner, 7:30 pm

Dedicating a whole evening to Francis Poulenc’s
chamber music seemed like a wild idea at first. But
the temptation of playing his famous Sextet with
the brilliant TSO wind principals and presenting his
“Story of Babar” for piano, with one of Canada’s
most engaging young performers, Steven Page, founder of
the Barenaked Ladies as narrator and Serouj Kradjian at the piano, was just too great.
An evening for all from 9 to 90 years old.

Sonata for cello and piano
Sextet for piano and winds
Trio for oboe, bassoon and piano
Sonata for clarinet and bassoon
The Story of Babar (the little elephant)

MUSICIANS:
Steven Page, narrator
Serouj Kradjian , piano
Nora Shulman, flute
Sarah Jeffrey, oboe
Joaquin Valdepeñas, clarinet
Michael Sweeney, bassoon
Neil Deland, horn
David Hetherington, cello

On Wednesday DECEMBER 5 Ari Kradjian is born, the first child of Isabel Bayrakdarian and Serouj Kradjian. He is a healthy little angel and is eager to take part in his mom's operatic sojourns and his dad's pianistic adventures, his travel itinerary already filling up accordingly. A day later, the Grammy nominations are announced and Angelicus, a track from electronica duo Delerium's album, co-written by Serouj Kradjian and Delerium's Bill Leeb and Rhys Fulber, remixed by Andy Moore and sung by Isabel Bayrakdarian, is nominated in the category "Best Remixed Recording, Non-Classical". Earlier, in March 2007 the track clinched the Number One spot on the Billboard charts! Click here to see the music video.

In NOVEMBER Serouj presented his new solo project called "The Art of Vrtuosity" in Logroño, Spain. On three consecutive Mondays he played the most important works of the three greatest virtuoso-composers in history: Franz Liszt (including his Transcendental Studies and the Sonata in B Minor), Niccolo Paganini (including the Brahms-Paganini Varations, Schumann-Paganini Caprices and La Campanella) and Sergei Rachmaninoff (including his Sonata Nr. 2, Preludes and Etudes)
See what the music critic of "La Rioja" had to say about the last concert.

Later in November CBC Records released "Tango Notturno" featuring tangos from different parts of the world arranged by Serouj Kradjian, sung by Isabel Bayrakdarian accompanied by Serouj on the piano, bandoneon virtuoso Fabian Carbone, Canadian Opera Company concertmaster violinist Marie Bérard, cellist Roman Borys, bassist Roberto Occhipinti, guitarist Daniel Bolshoy, clarinettist Shalom Bard and Levon Ichkhanian on the oud. Here is what "La Scena Musicale" said about this exciting and eclectic record.

In SEPTEMBER Serouj was in Los Angeles where he played the Franck Quintet and the Trio by Alexander Arutunian at the Dilijan Chamber Music Series held in Zipper Hall, at the Colburn School of Performing Arts. On September 21 and 22 Serouj played Edvard Grieg's Piano Concerto in A Minor with the Thailand Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Gudni Emilsson.

In AUGUST First ever appearance at the prestigious Festival Del Sole - Tuscan Sun Festival in Cortona, Italy. An appearance with the Russian National Orchestra conducted by French conductor Stéphane Denève alongside sopranos Isabel Bayrakdarian, Angelika Kirchschlager and pianist Elena Bashkirova.

Two memorable evenings in JULY at the wonderful St. Mary's Church in PEI . On July 20th a recital with Isabel Bayrakdarian and on the 22nd a concert with the coveted Arthur Leblanc String Quartet featuring the monumental Quintet for Piano and String Quartet by Cesar Franck.

In JUNE, Kradjian becomes a member of the Amici Chamber Ensemble replacing Patricia Parr who retires after 20 years:

Moving into its 20th season AMICI has some major changes to announce. Since its inception AMICI has benefited from pianist and founding member, Patricia Parr's presence. At the end of last season Patricia made a difficult decision. In her words, "It is with huge regret that I am stepping down as founding member/pianist of AMICI. Prompted by some recent health issues, it seemed the right time not only for me, but also for AMICI. After all these years, more than 17 commissions and ten CDs, I am certainly sad to leave the stimulating AMICI life, and I will miss my colleagues, and the many "friends" that joined us over the years. It seems this is the time for my life to take a new direction. Perhaps over 60 years of performing (and, of course, practicing) is enough! The summer will be a time for contemplation as to what that direction may be. I will also enjoy spending time in the country with my family, good books and a chilled glass of wine!"

AMICI founding members David Hetherington and Joaquin Valdepeñas knew that they had their work cut out for them to find someone to fill the immense gap that Patricia leaves but are absolutely delighted to announce that the search is over and that, beginning in our '08/'09 season Serouj Kradjian will become a member of AMICI. On behalf of AMICI, David says "We were quite prepared to spend a very long time searching for the right person who would be as musically in tune with us as Pat had been but, lo and behold, Serouj arrived as if by magic at just the right time!" Patricia says, "I am delighted with the choice of my replacement. Serouj is an amazing pianist and I have no doubt AMICI will flourish with his brilliance and inspiration."

Serouj Kradjian says, "It is a tremendous honour to join AMICI. I clearly remember when, as an undergrad at UofT's Faculty of Music, I first heard AMICI in a live concert. I was awed by their artistic excellence, musical integrity and unique programming. Imagine how delighted I am to be invited to join this venerable group as their pianist. It completes a circle for me. I look forward to many interesting and diverse projects together with David and Joaquin and, of course, the many friends that we'll meet along the way."

In MAY, Marilyn Gilbert Artists Management becomes Serouj Kradjian's representative in North America.
On May 25, Serouj Kradjian performed with the Amici Chamber Ensemble in an exciting programme, which featured the Piano Trios by Aram Khachaturian and Arno Babadjanian and the Canadian Premiere of Serouj's "Seven Armenian folk songs by Reverend Gomidas" for Soprano, Violin, Clarinet, Violoncello and Piano. Alongside core Amici members clarinettist Joaquin Valdepeñas and cellist David Hetherington, guests included violinist Benjamin Bowman and soprano Isabel Bayrakdarian.
See what the Globe and Mail's Ken Winters had to say about the evening.

In APRIL, Serouj Kradjian's mini-oratorio "Triumphant Resurrection" for soprano,mixed choir and chamber orchestra based on Armenian liturgical music was performed at CBC's Choral Concert Easter Sunrise Celebration by the Elmer Iseler Singers, Amadeus Choir, Vesnifska Womens Choir,
Banduristas Choir and soloist Isabel Bayrakdarian. The concert was broadcast live coast to coast on CBC Radio Two.

In MARCH, after his successful solo recital at the sold-out Glenn Gould Studio, Serouj performed with his wife Isabel Bayrakdarian in Mexico City, Palm Beach, Florida and at the prestigious Savannah Music Festival in Savannah, Georgia.