Rafal Zambzhicky Pane performs Armenian music

AZG Armenian Daily #112, 18/06/2005

Culture

RAFAL ZAMBZHICKY PANE PERFORMS ARMENIAN MUSIC

The fact that a great number of musicians play Armenian music evidences
that it is the component part of contemporary music. Rafal Zambzhicky
Pane, born in Lodz, is one of them. He studied in England in the class
of Wuen Zhu Lee. He also studied in Vienna in the class of Gerhard
Schultz. After receiving the second prize at the Violin Contest in
Luxemburg in 2005 and being awarded a prize in BBC Young Musician of
the Year in 2000, he began performing as a soloist and an orchestra
musician. Rafal Zambzhicky performs with the London “Dimension”
Piano Trio and the Frankfurt “Ensemble Modern.”

It was the second visit of Rafal to Yerevan. In the May of 2002 he
performed Aram Khachatrian’s Concerto for Violin with the Philharmonic
Orchestra of Armenia. Rafal emphasized the melodic part of Aram
Khachatrian’s music, making the melody an intermission line of the
piece. Performing Khachatrian in Polish way, putting him by the side
of Karol Shimanovsky, his contemporary, Rafal revealed the sad lyrics
of the piece in all of its parts.

Zambzhicky performed as a soloist playing “Hayastan 88” concerto for
violin by Alexander Harutyunian during his second visit. His concert
was organized by Regina Pargev, the manager. Thanks to Regina Pargev,
Rafal played Armenian music in London, including the pieces by Komitas,
Aram Khachatrian and Arno Babajanian. In April of 2004, Zambzhicky
performed Harutyunian’s concerto for violin in Wigmore Hall, in London.

Rafal said in the interview that “the value of the piece is
more important for him, than its national value,” when choosing a
piece. As for the Armenian musical pieces, the violinist emphasized
“the sadness and the feeling of grief” that are peculiar to them. He
sees the same in violin concerto of Harutyunian. “That is a great
music. I played that twice in England and if I have the opportunity,
I will play it again.”

The presence of the music~Rs author and Rafal Zambzhicky Pane imparted
additional festive shades to the concert dedicated to 85th anniversary
of Alexander Harutyunian. Besides the concert for violin and “The
Dance of Sassoon People” by Alexander Harutyunian, “Armenian Songs
and Dances” by Komitas-Aslamazian, and “Holberg~Rs Times” by Edward
Grieg, two suits, were also included in the concert.

The harmony of the concert was secured by the ethnic expressionism of
the music, as well as Aram Gharabekian~Rs talent of a conductor. He
managed to create an orchestra of true international level that lives
and creates by Lege Artis, i.e. by the law of arts. Rich repertoire
and professional stability gained deserved fame to the orchestra,
making it one of “calling cards” for Armenia.

The soloist secured high-level performance of the concert for violin.
Zambzhicky managed to reflect the sadness and the pathetic element of
the piece, that were based on the components of the Armenian monody
and rhetoric elements of baroque taste. Zambzhicky performed his part
with warmth and sincerity peculiar to him.

The lyric talents of the violinist were displayed in a quite
interesting way when performing Scherzo and Adagio recitative.

Alexander Harutyunian’s concert is dedicated to Ruben Aharonian,
prominent violinist. Ilya Grubert and Levon Hambardzumian also
performed this concert. The young Polish musician managed to make a
very interesting interpretation of the piece.

By Svetlana Sargsian, Dr. of Arts