Author: Tatoyan Vazgen

Pan Armenian Network
ARMENIA TO APPOINT NEW TRADE REPRESENTATIVES IN EU AND US
11.02.2005 15:11
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Armenian government came to the decision on
appointing trade representatives (Attaches) in the EU member-states
with the residence in Brussels and in the US with the residence
in Washington

Family’s tale illuminates old tragedy
By CAROLYN FEIBEL, STAFF WRITER
NorthJersey.com, NJ
Feb 10 2005
Penal Code 306 really makes his blood boil.
Peter Balakian, a poet and historian who grew up in Bergen County,
understands you’ve probably never heard of 306, a Turkish law enacted
last September. That’s one reason he’s trekking cross-country to
promote his book on the genocide of more than 1 million Armenians in
Turkey 90 years ago.
Penal Code 306 punishes people who speak about the genocide with up
to 10 years in prison. If Germany passed a similar law about the
Holocaust, there would rightly be a global outcry, Balakian said. On
306, there’s been hardly a peep.
In a way, Balakian said, that’s not surprising. The slaughter and
expulsion of Armenian Christians from 1915 to 1923 – the “forgotten
genocide” – has long been denied by the Turkish government. But
historians agree it was a well-documented tragedy that ushered in a
new type of state-sponsored mass killing.
Balakian, 53, teaches poetry and genocide studies at Colgate
University in New York. He grew up in Teaneck and then Tenafly, part
of North Jersey’s Armenian community. Although his grandmother was a
genocide survivor, he knew little about her story when he was a
child. His 1997 memoir, “Black Dog of Fate,” chronicles languid
Sundays spent eating cheese pastries and lamb kebabs out on the
patio. While family members celebrated Armenian foods and Armenian
painters, it was harder for them to talk about the genocide.
To fill in the gaps, Balakian began researching his own family’s
trauma. His grandmother lost her first husband in a massacre, endured
a death march with two young daughters and eventually secured their
passage to New Jersey, where she married an Armenian man working in
Paterson’s silk mills.
“She was almost a widow bride,” Balakian said. “Out of the mouth of
death.”
While promoting the memoir, Balakian realized that Americans from all
cultures have forgotten their own historical connection to the
Armenian genocide. Starting in the 1890s, he said, Turkish
persecution of Armenians was the charitable cause in the United
States, drawing in celebrities, rich industrialists, writers,
suffragists and politicians.
Balakian’s new book, “The Burning Tigris: The Armenian Genocide and
America’s Response,” aims to resurrect that forgotten history.
“It was America’s first international human rights movement, and
nothing has ever topped it in longevity or intensity,” Balakian said.
“It’s the first harnessing of a civilian response and
non-governmental organizations and philanthropy.”
Key leaders included Julia Ward Howe, a suffragist and author of “The
Battle Hymn of the Republic,” and Clara Barton, head of the American
Red Cross. The movement attracted writers (Ezra Pound, Henry James),
politicians (Theodore Roosevelt), wealthy philanthropists (John D.
Rockefeller and Henry Ford). Thousands of high schools, churches,
synagogues, Kiwanis Clubs and Rotary Clubs collected donations to
save “the starving Armenians.”
The movement raised $110 million for relief – equivalent to $1.3
billion today – for food and medical supplies for refugee camps and
schools for Armenian orphans. Donations also helped Armenians
resettle in Europe and America.
Many settled in North Jersey. Bergen County now has a thriving
community of more than 8,300 Armenian-Americans, almost 1 percent of
the population.
Balakian said the movement drew on the same utopian, spiritual
energies that fueled abolition, civil rights and feminism – but it
has largely faded from accounts of American history.
“There’s been a big misunderstanding of this, that Americans didn’t
understand this, and didn’t care,” he said. “That’s crazy.”
Balakian recounts in the book how the word “genocide” and the phrase
“crimes against humanity” were first coined in response to the
Armenian slaughter. But he said the grass-roots movement could not
persuade the U.S. government to intervene.
“My book is the story of American gridlock,” he said. “We have the
people petitioning for real intervention and real justice and we have
the State Department refusing to take political action.”
Balakian believes the book could help to reawaken Americans to the
roots of their human rights activities.
“It set in motion the traditions we now have for international human
rights work and activism, such as Amnesty [International], the
engagements with the Balkans … and the Holocaust Museum. All owe
something to a process that started back then in the period of the
1890s to 1920s.”

USA to grant Armenia over 1m dollars for rocket fuel disposal
Arminfo
9 Feb 05
Yerevan, 9 February: The US government will grant Armenia over 1m
dollars within the framework of the OSCE project on the disposal of
rocket fuel, the deputy US ambassador to Armenia, Anthony Godfrey,
said today at the presentation of the book “OSCE History, Activity and
Prospects” on the occasion of the fifth anniversary of the foundation
of the OSCE’s field office in Yerevan.
In turn, the head of the OSCE mission in Yerevan, Vladimir
Pryakhin, said that the project was the result of international
cooperation. Under the project, components of rocket fuel will
undergo high-level processing and will be used in the production
of fertilizers.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ArmenPress
Feb 8 2005
KHATAMI MEETS ARMENIAN DEFENSE MINISTER
TEHRAN FEBRUARY 8, ARMENPRESS: Iranian President Mohammad Khatami
was quoted by Irna news agency as saying Tuesday that Tehran-Yerevan
cooperation would be effective to support mutual interests and
security as well as regional stability.
Meeting with the visiting Armenian defense minister Serzh
Sarkisian, Khatami said Iranian and Armenian presidents have formed a
new phase to develop economic cooperation and efforts should be made
for speedy implementation of mutual accords.
Khatami stressed that the Islamic Republic of Iran supports its
neighbor Armenia, considering the fact that mutual cooperation is
effective for development and security of the Caucasus. He said
regional states can solve their problems through high level
negotiations without foreign intervention and Iran, as a country
which calls for establishment of good ties with all neighbors, is
ready to take steps for removal of any problem with the neighbors.
Khatami pointed to the significance of transit and transportation
in boosting relations among regional states and also to the need for
connection of railways and roads. He underlined the project for
transfer of gas to Armenia and also expansion of commercial
relations.
Sarkisian for his part expressed hopes for further expansion of
the Tehran- Yerevan relations on the basis of good faith. He said
development of mutual relations in the fields of culture, education
and economy would prepare the ground for guaranteeing security and
expanding ties in other spheres.
He added that connection of Iranian and Armenian railways would be
effective for establishment of the north-south corridor. He welcomed
the project for transfer of gas to Armenia. He also described as
“very logical and positive” Iran’s viewpoints on sticking to dialogue
and negotiation to settle regional disputes without foreign
intervention.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Agency WPS
DEFENSE and SECURITY (Russia)
February 7, 2005, Monday
WHY DID LAVROV VISIT BAKU
by WPS observer
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov’s visit to Azerbaijan finished
last week. Making preparations for opening of the Year of Azerbaijan
in Russia on February 16 was the formal cause for the visit. It is
intended that Vladimir Putin and Ilkham Aliyev will open the
celebrations, however, many observers state that Lavrov’s visit to
Baku was linked with Moscow’s initiatives in the sector of
integration in the post-Soviet republics. To all appearances, the
Russian and Azerbaijanian leaders will discuss these issues in the
Russian capital. The victory of the “orange revolution” in Ukraine
has shown that Russia is losing its influence in the CIS. In the
meantime, Azerbaijan where clans close to the Aliyev family managed
to suppress protests and create the succession of the political
system intends to enlist Moscow’s support in order to prevent the
Ukrainian or Georgian scenario.
The Karabakh problem is another probable objective of Baku’s
intention to integrate with Moscow. Azerbaijanian officials denied
reports that Lavrov discussed the prospects of Azerbaijan joining the
Organization of the collective security treaty in Baku. To all
appearances, Baku does not rule out military operations against
Nagorny Karabakh, and intends to activate military contacts with
Russia on a bilateral basis. At the same time, Azerbaijan does not
forget about NATO.
Moscow’s comments on integration processes between Azerbaijan and
NATO were neutral. Sergei Lavrov stated that Baku must determine the
form of co-operation with NATO. He noted that Moscow also makes
contacts with the alliance.
In the meantime, Russia supports Armenia, which has been defending
Nagorny Karabakh for almost 15 years. On the other hand, Moscow
states that the Karabakh conflict must be resolved as soon as
possible. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated that in
Slavonic University in Baku on February 2 that “we help the sides
find solutions to the crisis proceeding from the people’s interests.
We are pleased that the Armenian and Azerbaijanian foreign ministers
have resumed contacts within the framework of the Prague process.”
In the meantime, tension in the region increases, and both sides are
prepared to use force. The military budgets have increased in Armenia
and Azerbaijan. Baku states that it may use force for solving the
Karabakh problem. Under these circumstances, Karabakh and Armenia are
forced to prepare for defending their territory. Sergei Oganyan,
Defense Minister of Nagorny Karabakh, stated that servicemen’s wages
will increase in 2005. The leadership will also focus on solving the
housing problem. The command of the army will focus on
military-patriotic education of younger generations. Public
structures will participate in this process. The command of the army
will analyze the experience of the partisan war in the first phase of
the Azerbaijanian-Karabakh confrontation. This means that if
Azerbaijan ventures to use force the war will be very long. The
conflicting sides are prepared for this.
Azerbaijan enlisted the support of US. President George W. Bush sent
the Memorandum to prolong the suspension of the 907th amendments to
the Freedom Act, which bans military aid to Azerbaijan, to the US
state secretary in January 2005. According to the document, the US
made this decision because of Azerbaijan’s assistance in combating
terrorism. This document “is aimed at increasing the security of
Azerbaijan’s border”. The US leader stated that this decision would
not hinder negotiations between Azerbaijan and Armenia. In other
words, Azerbaijan will receive substantial resources, which will be
spent on supporting its army.
In this regard, Elizabeth Jones’ statement about the necessity of
neutralizing the criminal regimes in the Trans-Dniester territory,
Abkhazia, Southern Ossetia and Nagorny Karabakh was to the point.
Washington again reiterated its position to the world, “Washington’s
policy towards the conflict in Nagorny Karabakh has not changed. The
US does not consider Nagorny Karabakh as an independent state, and
the international community and the United States does not
acknowledge its leadership. The US supports Azerbaijan’s territorial
integrity and thinks that the status of Nagorny Karabakh must be
determined by means of negotiations within the framework of the Minsk
process. The US is involved in the process of peaceful settling of
the conflict. We welcome negotiations between the Armenian and
Azerbaijanian foreign ministers.”
On the one hand, there is nothing blameworthy in these words. The US
supports peace but this statement can be interpreted in different
ways in the context of events happening in Baku. This may become a
weighty argument for unleashing war.
Why is the US interested in this affair? Many analysts agree that the
US is interested in Azerbaijan as a beachhead for delivering strikes
on Iran. This is why Washington supports Baku.
We hope that the Azerbaijanian leadership will be reasonable and
tolerant, and that the Russian leaders and US will make important
decisions regarding the Karabakh conflict at the summit in February
where the presidents intend to discuss the issue of conflicts in the
post-Soviet republics. Otherwise, the situation may lead to
recommencement of hostilities.
Translated by Alexander Dubovoi

Azeri paper says democracy is way to get breakaway area back amid war calls
Azadliq, Baku
2 Feb 05
Text of unattributed report by Azerbaijani newspaper Azadliq on 2
February headlined “‘You can have Karabakh back only in one way: it is
democracy'” and subheaded “The co-chairman of the OSCE Minsk Group,
Bernard Fassier, put pressure on I. Aliyev”
The new French co-chairman of the OSCE Minsk Group, Bernard Fassier,
met Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev during his diplomatic visit to
Baku last week. The French visitor said that the calls for renewed
war in Azerbaijan are not taken seriously in Europe. Fassier said:
“They believe in Europe that such calls may be aimed at covering up
the wish for democracy of the Azerbaijani people and it’s naive to
hope that Nagornyy Karabakh can be liberated in such a way.”
Fassier added that under the circumstances the renewal of military
hostilities may be perceived across the world “as the fight for
influence between the two authoritarian regimes and both countries may
face serious sanctions”.
Fassier said: “I would like to say that this is the position not only
of France, but also of the EU.”
At the same time, other aspects of the issue are also interesting.
First, Azerbaijan has been in such a poor situation that a co-chairman
of the commission established to resolve the conflict dares to issue
an ultimatum to the Azerbaijani government.
Second, an explicit message has been sent to the Azerbaijani
government and the public that the Nagornyy Karabakh conflict can be
resolved in Azerbaijan’s favour only after it introduces democratic
reforms.
Third, even in Europe they know that Azerbaijan’s propaganda for a
solution to the Nagornyy Karabakh conflict is insincere. They can well
see that the mafia-type government of Azerbaijan is anyway not in a
belligerent mood and all such calls are just a fake.
Fourth, all the EU member states advocate a solution to the Karabakh
problem in the interests of a country which shares EU
values. Undoubtedly, if there is a democratic regime in Azerbaijan,
any possible solution to this problem in Azerbaijan’s favour will
satisfy the whole democratic world. However, if democratic changes
were to occur in Armenia before Azerbaijan, the Nagornyy Karabakh
problem may be resolved in Armenia’s favour once and for all. The fact
is that any democratic changes in Azerbaijan are not about the desire
of any political force for power, but about the country’s territorial
integrity.
Finally, it should also be noted that a lot of money is required to
wage a war. The government of Azerbaijan, where 60 per cent of the
economy works for the “black market”, does not intend to pursue a
war. The slogan “everything for the motherland” usually works in
countries at war, while in Azerbaijan there is unlikely to be any
alternative to the slogan “everything for the governing
clan”. Moreover, since the Azerbaijani military industrial complex is
also involved in corruption, only an idiot can think of fighting with
the resources at its disposal.

Bush-Putin meeting to form new policy on Karabakh problem – Azeri ex-minister
Yeni Azarbaycan, Baku
26 Jan 05
Azerbaijan’s former foreign minister has said the USA’s policy on the
South Caucasus will undergo fundamental changes under the new US
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. In his interview with the
pro-government newspaper Yeni Azarbaycan, Tofiq Zulfuqarov said that
the USA now realizes that the “frozen” conflicts are hampering
economic development, as well as social and political reforms in the
region. Zulfuqarov added that US President George W. Bush and Russian
President Vladimir Putin will adopt a new policy on the settlement of
the conflicts in the South Caucasus during their forthcoming meeting
in Bratislava. The following is the text of Rufat Ahmad’s report by
Azerbaijani newspaper Yeni Azarbaycan on 26 January headlined “Neither
the USA, nor Russia are happy with the situation in the South
Caucasus” and subheaded “America insists on resolving the
conflicts”. Subheadings have been inserted editorially:
The White House is not happy with Russia’s position on the frozen
conflicts in the South Caucasus. The US stand has become even tougher
since the former national security adviser, Condoleezza Rice, took
over as secretary of state. The Bush administration’s serious
criticism of Russia over the last week has become even harsher in
Rice’s statements. She said that the no war no peace situation in the
region poses a serious threat to the development of democracy.
On the other hand, the fact that the Kremlin has come under criticism
ahead of the Bush-Putin meeting in Bratislava next month has given
political analysts serious food for thought. The discussions on the
South Caucasus between the two world centres of power will help
improve the situation in any case, because Russian Foreign Minister
Sergey Lavrov who commented on Rice’s critical remarks has said that
his country is ready to hear constructive criticism.
What kind of effect can Rice’s statement have on the situation in the
South Caucasus? We asked Azerbaijan’s former foreign minister, Tofiq
Zulfuqarov, to comment on this.
New South Caucasus policy
Correspondent Does this criticism mean that the White House is trying
to take the initiative in the region?
Zulfuqarov The USA and Russia have said at different levels that they
share a common position on the settlement of conflicts in the region
and that they are trying to resolve the conflicts peacefully. The
statement made by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is a new
factor. At least it shows that cooperation between the USA and Russia
in mediating the settlement of the Nagornyy Karabakh conflict, which
emerged as a result of the Armenian aggression against Azerbaijan,
will undergo certain changes. In that respect, the Bratislava meeting
will form a new policy on the conflicts in the South Caucasus.
Correspondent Russia stepped up its activities immediately after the
statement of the US secretary of state. What do you think is the link
between Lavrov’s visit to the South Caucasus and this statement?
Zulfuqarov To be honest, the long-lasting cooperation between the USA
and Russia has not resolved the conflicts. In fact, there is no
progress in these conflicts. The only achievement is that the
cease-fire has been secured. However, the sides are still far from a
political settlement to the Nagornyy Karabakh conflict. From this
point of view, it cannot be ruled out that some political circles in
Russia have realized the importance of changing the current policy.
After Condoleezza Rice’s statement, Sergey Lavrov was also expected to
criticize the opposite side. From this point of view, mutual criticism
shows that both countries are not happy with the current
situation. And this is a positive factor, because the mutually
critical statements are expected to be followed by discussions that
will clarify the situation. I think that some approaches and a more
active position will emerge during these discussions, which is in our
interests.
Conflicts hamper reforms
Correspondent The Astana meeting was followed by some activity
regarding Nagornyy Karabakh. The Bratislava meeting will cover a
broader aspect. What possible changes may Russia and the USA make to
their policies after discussing the Nagornyy Karabakh conflict in
Bratislava?
Zulfuqarov Under Colin Powell, the Department of State and the
Department of Defence had different views on different issues,
including the South Caucasus. The Security Council gave more
prominence to Donald Rumsfeld’s position on the South Caucasus. From
this point of view, Rice’s appointment as secretary of state will lead
to fundamental changes in US policy on our region. US political
circles already realize that other goals will be difficult to achieve
until the conflicts are resolved. The White House is not hiding its
intentions. Economic development, social and political reforms will
drag on as long as the conflicts have not been resolved. From this
point of view, the frozen conflicts should have been resolved a long
time ago.
The USA will be more insistent on this policy. This insistence will
manifest itself in various spheres. I think that the USA will be
active in its policy on the countries of the region, as well as
Russia.
Correspondent Do you expect any activity in the settlement of the
South Caucasus conflicts in the near future?
Zulfuqarov The Azerbaijani government has made it clear that the main
issue hampering the development of the country is the Armenian
occupation of Nagornyy Karabakh. Work has been carried out in this
direction. Now the situation is more favourable for these statements
to yield results. Naturally, our policy will also become more active
after the Bratislava meeting, because one can sense the desire of the
centres of power to resolve the problems.

OSCE mission accepts Azeri evidence on illegal settlement in Karabakh –
official
Turan news agency
28 Jan 05
BAKU
Settlement on the occupied territories of Azerbaijan is being carried
out directly by Armenia, Azerbaijan’s deputy foreign minister [Araz
Azimov] said at today’s press conference commenting on the 28 January
meeting in the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry with the co-chairmen of
the OSCE Minsk Group and with members of the international mission
which is to probe into settlement on the occupied districts.
He said that the meeting was attended by the National Security
Ministry, the State Border Service and the State Committee for Land
[and Cartography]. During the meeting, Azerbaijan presented to the
mission maps, video and audio materials proving settlement on the
occupied territories. The mission regarded the evidence as justified
and accepted it.
The Armenian authorities are directly involved in settlement on the
territories and some 23,000 people have been illegally settled on the
occupied lands, Azimov said. The settlement policy has many forms,
including the implementation of special targeted economic and
infrastructure projects. Settlement on the occupied territories does
not have a positive impact on the negotiations on resolving the
conflict.
The mission also received information on the use of the occupied
territories for drugs trafficking and for organized criminal activity.
The fact-finding mission will reach the territories in several
days. They will first visit Kalbacar and Lacin districts and will then
head for other territories, including Susa District.
The investigation will last 10 days. A report will then be prepared on
the basis of the gathered evidence. Next, the report will be presented
to the OSCE Minsk Group and to the OSCE Permanent Council in Vienna.
Azimov also commented on the PACE resolution on Nagornyy Karabakh. He
said that the resolution objectively reflected the occupation of
Azerbaijan’s land and ethnic cleansing. Azimov said that the current
talks between Armenia and Azerbaijan discussed ending the military
conflict and removing its consequences. An agreement should be
prepared and signed on the results of the discussions, Azimov said.
When the time comes, there will be discussion with representatives of
Nagornyy Karabakh’s Armenian community and with the Azerbaijani
community which will by then return there. “Azerbaijan will be
discussing the issue of communities with its citizens and the public
should realize that,” Azimov said.

ArmenPress
Jan 25 2005
ARMENIAN PRESIDENT TO VISIT ITALY
YEREVAN, JANUARY 25, ARMENPRESS: Armenian president Robert
Kocharian is flying January 27 to Italy for an official three-day
visit at the invitation of his Italian counterpart Carlo Azeglio
Ciampi. Foreign minister Vartan Oskanian, trade and economic
development and agricultural ministers, other officials and
businessmen will accompany the president.
In Rome Kocharian will be received by the President of the Senate
Marcello Pera, the President of the Chamber of Deputies (the Italian
Parliament’s Lower Chamber) Pier Ferdinando Casini and Prime Minister
Silvio Berlusconi. Meetings are also scheduled with representatives
of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and
Italian businessmen.
Armenian and Italian officials will sign a Memorandum on the Small
and Medium Enterprises Sector and an agreement on co-operation
between the two Ministries of Justice. A Joint Declaration will be
also issued during the visit.
In Vatican Kocharian will be welcomed by Pope John Paul II and
Cardinal Angelo Sodano. Kocharian will also meet with Patriarch
Nerses-Poghos, the head of Catholic Armenians and will watch also the
recently erected monument to Gregory the Enlightener in Vatican.
On January 28 Kocharian will travel to Venice to meet with its
mayor and members of the Italian Armenian community. In Venice
Kocharian will visit Murad Rafaelian School and the Mkhetarist
Congregation.
This will be the second official visit by Kocharian to Italy.
In an interview to Armenpress Italian ambassador to Armenia, Marco
Clemente, described bilateral political relations as “excellent.”

Music lover who celebrated French composers
Obituary: Felix Aprahamian
The Guardian
Friday January 21, 2005
By John Amis
In a way, Felix Aprahamian, who has died aged 90, was an amateur, a
lover. A lover of music; also of men and, occasionally, women. He
loved the good things of life, but music came first – listening to it,
printed copies of it, books on it, and those who made it.
Felix was born in London. His father was a carpet dealer, an immigrant
Armenian, his mother an adorable rotund lady, a great cook and a good
mother to her three children, Francis, Florence and Felix. Felix was
her favourite: she indulged him, and he repaid her by staying with
her; in fact he lived in the same house in Muswell Hill for 85 years,
the house that he called, with Poe-faced humour, the House of Usher.
Indeed, the house nearly did fall once, when Felix, desperate for more
space for the ever-increasing amount of books and music, fitted up the
loft for more of the same. Cracks appeared in the structure, and the
loft had to be emptied.
It was an ordinary double-fronted building, but inside it was a shrine
where Music was worshipped. There were side altars devoted to tropical
fish, and the small garden was exotic, with rare plants and more fish
in pools. The music room had an organ, inherited from the organist
André Marchal and transplanted from Hendaye, in the French Basque
country, for the use of the blind organist David Liddle, a protege of
Felix’s.
There were also two pianos, on which the likes of the composers
Olivier Messiaen, Benjamin Britten, Francis Poulenc and soloist
Monique Haas had played, as well as Felix himself – he would regale
you with Ravel’s Ondine at the drop of a hat. He would also point out
a plane tree in front of the house which Poulenc had baptised one day
in an emergency.
Felix’s education was self-administered rather than academic. His
father had got him a job in the metal market, but already at 17 Felix
was pouring his energies into being assistant secretary of the Organ
Music Society. His three passions at that time were the organ, French
music and Frederick Delius (he visited the old composer at
Grez-sur-Loing, south of Paris).
When I first met Felix, he was concert director of the London
Philharmonic Orchestra. During those precarious war years the
programmes had to be popular, but sometimes Felix was allowed his
head, and he would spread himself in the empty dress circle, following
the scores of Debussy, Delius and Bax. In the 1940s he was
effervescent, and if his activities and behaviour had appeared in a
novel, you would say it was overwritten. He lived in a constant flurry
and bustle, rushing from one place to another, finding the best food
in those days when the bill could not exceed five shillings; it was
lunch with Michael Tippett, tea with William Walton, dinner with
conductors Victor de Sabata or Charles Munch, and sometimes
consultations with Sir Thomas Beecham about Felix going to Paris to
engage singers for recordings.
Felix knew where to shop, where to find rare books or scores. He was
remarkable especially for his generosity: he helped dozens of young
musicians, gave them advice, made introductions for them, gave them
books and scores, fed them and sometimes put them up at the House of
Usher. Nothing was too much trouble. The general impression was of
somebody who was a mixture of characters from Proust and PG Wodehouse.
His finest achievement was that he made British music lovers more
familiar with French music. Working with Toni Mayer, cultural attaché
at the embassy in London, Felix organised over a hundred concerts for
the Free French during the second world war. Not just Debussy and
Ravel, but also Fauré, Saint-Saëns, Roussel, Florent Schmitt, not
forgetting Baroque masters such as Rameau and Couperin, through
Berlioz to all of Les Six and on to Messiaen. For the audiences it was
like an education that had previously been manquée .
Felix left his mark in fastidious details: a stylist when it came to
the programme notes and the design of flyaways and posters – even the
tickets looked elegant. The artists were the divine soprano Maggie
Teyte in the Indian summer of her career, tenor Peter Pears and
Britten, the Zorian Quartet, piano accompanist Gerald Moore, and
Tippett with his Morley College Choir (Felix sometimes sang bass with
them). Later, with the liberation of Paris, baritones Pierre Bernac
and Gérard Souzay, cellist Pierre Fournier, pianists Yvonne Lefebure,
Poulenc, Messiaen and his eventual wife Yvonne Loriod – these were
nuits alcyoniennes, to coin a phrase.
From 1946 to 1984, Felix joined United Music Publishers, agents for
most of the music publishers in Paris. He also became second string
critic for the Sunday Times (1948-89), and was notable for his purple
patches when inspired, enthusing about much and deprecating the
mandarins’ cheers for atonal music and the sort of pieces that
encouraged instrumentalists to make squeaks and burps that previously
they had tried not to make when learning to play.
As time went on, Felix somewhat blotted his book by being late with
his copy and even on occasion reviewing performances by artists who
had dropped out at the last moment. He ignored his friends’ demands
that he write an autobiography, because he could not fashion his
anecdotes and recollections in such a way that the events and
personalities came off the page.
One memory, as he often told it, was how he nearly met Peter Warlock
on the steps of the British Museum. In these stories Felix could be a
bit far-fetched. But then Felix was far-fetched. His last years,
sadly, were plagued by strokes and loss of hearing, but he could still
recall a life devoted to music and musicians; and in which he was
honoured by the French government, president of the Delius Society,
and held in great affection by all of his many friends.
Felix Aprahamian, music critic, organiser and publicist, born June 1
1914; died January 15 2005.
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From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress