The Distinguished Artists Concert & Lecture Series: Fall 2013
Armenian Pianist Tanya Gabrielian presenting the music of Handel-Liszt, Stanchinsky, Rachmaninov, Cardelus and Beethoven’s Sonata, Op. 111
Lauded by the Washington Post for her “strikingly poised nobility” and “commanding presence,” pianist Tanya Gabrielian has captivated audiences worldwide with her gripping performances.
“Presenting works of composers who have dealt with mental illness in their own lives, I am showing the issues in a positive light, demonstrating the enormous contributions to society that these composers have given.” said Gabrielian. “I hope to enable the audience to feel comfortable talking about these issues and to be supportive of those that deal with mental illness in their own lives. Pairing this performance with the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill seems like a natural decision, and I’m so glad that they have been so supportive of this initiative.”
Gabrielian received her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the Royal Academy of Music, studying with Hamish Milne and Alexander Satz. Upon graduation, she was awarded with a DipRAM, the highest performing award of the Academy, and she received the prize for the best final recital for six consecutive years. Gabrielian then completed her studies at The Juilliard School as the only candidate accepted for the prestigious Artist Diploma program, an extraordinarily selective post-graduate residency program, where she studied with Robert McDonald and Matti Raekallio. She currently resides in New York City.
Peninsula Reviews says: “On stage, [Gabrielian] is a presence, a force to be reckoned with, and this was plainly obvious before she even played a note, and when she started to play, the impression of total control and mastery was even more apparent … This was a performance I never wanted to end.”
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Committed: Saturday, September 21 — 8 p.m. First Congregational Church, 900 High Street, Santa Cruz