Birth

:

1972 in Yerevan, Armenia

 

Raffi Besalyan is a renowned classical pianist who has captivated audiences around the world with his virtuosic performances and deep musicality. Born in Yerevan, Armenia in 1971, Besalyan showed an early aptitude for music and began studying piano at the age of five. He quickly demonstrated a prodigious talent, winning his first competition at the age of seven and going on to win numerous awards and accolades throughout his career. Besalyan's early training was rigorous and demanding, reflecting the high standards of the Armenian musical tradition. He studied at the Tchaikovsky School of Music in Yerevan, where he was mentored by some of the country's most esteemed teachers and performers. He also had the opportunity to perform with the Armenian Philharmonic Orchestra, which helped to hone his skills as a soloist and ensemble player. In 1990, Besalyan moved to the United States to continue his studies at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music in Ohio. There, he studied with renowned pianist and pedagogue Monique Duphil, who helped him to refine his technique and deepen his understanding of the classical repertoire. He also had the opportunity to perform with the Cleveland Orchestra and other major ensembles, which helped to establish his reputation as a rising star in the classical music world. Besalyan's career took off in the 1990s, as he began to perform extensively throughout the United States and Europe. He quickly gained a reputation for his virtuosic technique, his expressive playing, and his deep musicality. He also became known for his innovative programming, which often featured lesser-known works alongside more familiar pieces, and for his commitment to promoting the music of Armenian composers. One of Besalyan's most notable performances came in 1998, when he performed the complete solo piano works of Armenian composer Arno Babajanian at Carnegie Hall in New York City. The concert was a major success, earning Besalyan critical acclaim and establishing him as one of the foremost interpreters of Babajanian's music. He has since recorded several albums of Babajanian's works, including a critically acclaimed recording of his Piano Concerto with the Armenian Philharmonic Orchestra. Besalyan has also been recognized for his performances of the music of other composers, including Chopin, Liszt, and Rachmaninoff. He has won numerous awards and competitions throughout his career, including the Cleveland International Piano Competition, the Hilton Head International Piano Competition, and the World Piano Competition in Cincinnati. He has also been a finalist in the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition and the Leeds International Piano Competition, two of the most prestigious piano competitions in the world. Besalyan's career has been marked by a deep commitment to education and outreach. He has taught at several prestigious institutions, including the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. He has also given masterclasses and workshops around the world, helping to inspire and mentor the next generation of classical musicians. In addition to his work as a performer and educator, Besalyan has been an active advocate for Armenian culture and music. He has worked to promote the music of Armenian composers and to raise awareness of the country's rich musical heritage.

More....