The Armenian State Symphony Orchestra brings a kaleidoscope of cultural sounds to European cities on a 2020 Tour
Five countries, eight concerts, three weeks: The sought-after ASSO embarks on a European tour with Violin virtuoso Maxim Vengerov, sharing an original programme richly layered with human emotions
The Armenian State Symphony Orchestra (ASSO) will perform in January 2020, bringing a sparkling programme of exquisite, invigorating and soul-stirring music to world-famous concert halls in Germany, Austria, England, Czech Republic and Russia.
The ASSO’s repertoire choice is always built around its core interest in bridging the east-west divide in music. In a programme effortlessly interweaving the Eastern and Western cultures, the ASSO will meander between emotive Armenian pieces and much-loved German, French, and Maltese works, allowing the audience to experience the strength of different European traditions.
On the tour, the ASSO will perform the European premiere of Armenian composer John Ter- Tatevosian’s 2nd Symphony “The Fate of Man”, an enlightening piece marvelling at the human ability to cope with catastrophe and strive for better in the face of adversity. Grammy award-winning Maxim Vengerov and the ASSO will also present masterful accounts of two famous pieces for violin; Max Bruch’s romantic and soulful “Violin Concerto No. 1” and Maurice Ravel’s bewitching and colourful “Tzigane” and then, creating a refreshing balance between classical music and new works, the Armenian Orchestra and the renowned soloist Maxim Vengerov will present two heartfelt works by the American-Maltese composer Alexey Shor, Composer-in-Residence for ASSO’s 2019/2020 season – “Barcarolle” and “Lonely Sail” – continuing the exploration of human emotions.
Founded in 2005 by the Artistic Director and Principal Conductor Sergey Smbatyan when he was just eighteen, the ASSO presents a dizzying 50 plus concerts a year, from world-famous masterpieces to unique premieres of contemporary pieces by Armenian and international composers. Most recently, the ASSO delighted audiences through the prism of film in two dazzling concerts at the Dubai Opera House, where they presented Nina Rota’s original score from ‘The Godfather’ and John Williams’ music from ‘Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets’. Apart from their exceptional musical output, the ASSO are also well-known for their role in educating the youth of Armenia. In 2018, the ASSO established DasA, an ongoing educational project aimed at promoting classical music to young people in a bid to encourage an educated, progressive society and ultimately change the course of lives through the power of music.
The Orchestra’s musicians are delighted that Vengerov will be joining them for the Tour taking on the position of Artist in Residence for the 2019/20 season. Universally hailed as one of the world’s finest musicians, and often referred to as the greatest living string player in the world, Vengerov has appeared as a soloist and/or conductor with all of the major orchestras. He’s worked with the New York Philharmonic, Berlin Philharmonic, London Symphony Orchestra, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Mariinsky Theatre Orchestra, and the Chicago, Montreal and Toronto Symphony Orchestras and regularly tours around the world in Recital. Aside from his musical commitments, Vengerov is enthusiastic about nurturing young musical talent, and is currently Professor at the Mozarteum University Salzburg and the Polonsky Visiting Professor of the Violin at the Royal College of Music.
Sergey Smbatyan and Maxim Vengerov have a long-standing relationship; Sergey Smbatyan conducted Maxim Vengerov and the London Symphony Orchestra in a Gala Concert for the HRH Prince Charles “Princes Trust” event at Windsor Castle in 2010. The event was so successful that the pair were invited to repeat the concert at Buckingham Palace in 2011.
The Orchestra’s European tour is organised by the European Foundation for Support of Culture.
European tour 2020:
- 8 January 2020, Gasteig Munich
- 9 January 2020, Großes Festspielhaus Salzburg
- 10 January 2020, Beethoven-Saal, Liederhalle Stuttgart
- 12 January 2020, Philharmonie Berlin
- 14 January 2020, Barbican Hall London
- 17 January 2020, Musikverein Vienna
- 19 January 2020, Dvořák Hall, Rudolfinum Prague
- 21 January 2020, Zaryadye Hall Moscow
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