YEREVAN, MAY 19, ARMENPRESS. Armenian cellist Narek Hakhnazaryan, 28, is a talented musician, gold medalist of the Tchaikovsky international competition, described by The Washington Post as ‘phenomenal’.

In an interview with ARMENPRESS, the world renowned cellist talked about his career, upcoming events, interests and his awards.

He says it was his mother who decided that he must learn to play the cello as a child. “Opposing my dad’s desire for me to continue his footsteps and become a violinist, one day she took me to a cello class. Everyone was shocked, because during that times, in mid 1990’s, cello was the instrument which children would learn if they failed to gain enough points in the piano of violin classes. Everyone was surprised that the son of two reputable professors is becoming a cellist”, Narek says, adding that after a few years he fell in love with the cello, and now he can’t imagine his life without it.

Asked what instrument he’d prefer if he hadn’t been guided, he jokingly responded ‘I’d play football’.

‘But, on a more serious note perhaps I’d prefer cello anyway’, he said.

The talented 28 year old even plays the piano and guitar, and is able to play some tunes on a saxophone.

Asked how many years he’s been performing in international events, he said: “I began to participate in different concerts from the age of 10-11. I was being invited to perform a couple of pieces in concerts. I began to perform solo concerts from 14-15 years of age”.

Speaking about his awards and medals, he said all his medals are overshadowed by his Tchaikovsky XIV international competition medal.  “I’ve won in several competitions, but besides the title, financial awards and medals, they didn’t open any prospect for me. While the Tchaikovsky competition opened many doors for me and gave me numerous opportunities. After this competition, I signed contracts with three leading management professionals of the world – in London, USA and Japan. Followed by contracts with Italian and Spanish management experts. This is the very thing which this kind of competitions must give to musicians, they must create a future”, he said.

Hakhnazaryan said his upcoming concert will be held in New Zealand, where he will perform in several cities as a soloist with the Symphonic Orchestra of New Zealand. Then the Armenian cellist will depart for Taiwan, followed by a trip to China, where he and his brother Tigran Hakhnazaryan, the conductor, will deliver a joint concert in Harbin. Afterwards another concert is scheduled in Seoul, South Korea. Hakhnazaryan says he will complete his tour in Kyoto and Tokyo, Japan with three solo concerts.

The full interview is available in Armenian.

Photos by Gevorg Perkuperkyan