Country

:

Armenia

Birth

:

in Yerevan, Armenia

Period

:

Romantic

 

 

Modern

Genre

:

Chamber

 

Suren Bagratuni is a renowned cellist and professor of music at Michigan State University. Born in Yerevan, Armenia in 1960, Bagratuni began playing the cello at the age of six. He studied at the Tchaikovsky Conservatory in Moscow with Natalia Shakhovskaya, one of the most prominent cello teachers of the 20th century. After completing his studies in Moscow, Bagratuni moved to the United States to continue his education. In 1986, Bagratuni won the first prize at the International Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow, one of the most prestigious music competitions in the world. This victory launched his career as a soloist, and he has since performed with many of the world's leading orchestras, including the Moscow Philharmonic, the St. Petersburg Philharmonic, the Royal Philharmonic, and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. Bagratuni has also been a frequent guest artist at music festivals around the world, including the Casals Festival in Puerto Rico, the Pablo Casals Festival in France, and the Great Lakes Chamber Music Festival in Michigan. He has collaborated with many of the world's leading musicians, including pianists Andre Watts and Menahem Pressler, violinist Vadim Gluzman, and conductor Leonard Slatkin. In addition to his career as a performer, Bagratuni is also a dedicated teacher. He has been a professor of music at Michigan State University since 1996, where he has mentored many young cellists who have gone on to successful careers in music. He has also given masterclasses at universities and conservatories around the world, including the Juilliard School, the Royal Academy of Music in London, and the Moscow Conservatory. Bagratuni has recorded extensively, with over 20 albums to his name. His recordings have received critical acclaim and have been featured on radio stations around the world. He has recorded works by many of the great composers of the classical repertoire, including Bach, Beethoven, Brahms, and Shostakovich. Bagratuni has received numerous awards and honors throughout his career. In addition to his victory at the International Tchaikovsky Competition, he has won first prizes at the Pablo Casals International Competition in France and the Rostropovich International Cello Competition in Paris. He has also been awarded the Order of Friendship by the Russian Federation, one of the highest honors given to foreign citizens. Bagratuni's playing is characterized by its technical brilliance, emotional depth, and musical sensitivity. He is known for his ability to bring out the unique qualities of each piece of music he performs, whether it is a virtuosic showpiece or a lyrical ballad. His performances are always marked by a deep respect for the music and a commitment to communicating its beauty and power to his audience. In conclusion, Suren Bagratuni is one of the most accomplished cellists of his generation. His career as a performer, teacher, and recording artist has spanned over three decades and has taken him to many of the world's great concert halls. His playing is characterized by its technical brilliance, emotional depth, and musical sensitivity, and he is widely regarded as one of the leading interpreters of the cello repertoire. His legacy as a musician and teacher will continue to inspire generations of cellists to come.

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