Stéphan Elmas - Piano Concerto No. 1 (Armen Babakhanian)

Information

Composer: Stéphan Elmas

1. Piano Concerto No. 1: I. Allegro maestoso
2. Piano Concerto No. 1: II. Largetto
3. Piano Concerto No. 1: III. Allegro animato
4. Valse No. 1
5. Valse No. 4
6. Grande Valse No. 5
7. Mazuka No. 4
8. Scherzo No. 1
9. Polonaise No. 4

Armen Babakhanian, piano

Yerevan International Festival Symphony Orchestra

Alexandre Siranossian, conductor

Lusine Hakobyan, piano

Date: 2005

Label: Stephan Elmas Foundation

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Stéphan Elmas (1862 – August 11, 1937) was an Armenian composer, pianist and teacher. A prodigy, he studied piano and composition in Vienna following encouragement from Franz Liszt, to whom he later dedicated several works. Elmas enjoyed a successful international concert career across Europe, performing both his own compositions and works by major Romantic composers. He settled permanently in Geneva in 1912, where he taught and composed despite declining health and increasing isolation. His music, particularly refined salon pieces, reflects a Romantic style rooted in earlier traditions.

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Armen Babakhanian (born 9 October 1967) is an Armenian pianist. Educated at the Komitas State Conservatory and later mentored by Claude Frank and Vera Gornostayeva, he was a founding member of the Cadence Ensemble. A prizewinner at major international competitions, including Leeds and Van Cliburn, he has performed extensively across Europe, Asia and North America with leading orchestras and conductors. His festival appearances, acclaimed recordings, and international broadcasts have earned wide recognition. Babakhanian is also an active pedagogue, jury member, and professor at the Komitas State Conservatory.

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