Current News
Summer Japan Tour
In June-July 2013, Raffi Besalyan will be teaching master classes and private lessons in the Greater Tokyo and Kansai area for World Professors Series and for Sakamoto Piano Academy.
“Dance, Drama, Decadence” receives another rave review, this time from American Record Guide, America’s oldest classical music review magazine.
“Besalyan has been lauded as the ‘true heir of the mainstream of Russian pianism, like Horowitz’ (Chopin Magazine). Those are big shoes to fill, but this Armenian pianist’s debut album proves that he is a formidable pianist with a commanding presence and rich interpretive gifts.” To read the full review click here.
New on YouTube and Vimeo
Check out Raffi Besalyan’s YouTube and Vimeo channels for his latest performances from Japan. Enjoy a wide variety of music from Debussy’s etherial Clair de Lune and Satie’s atmospheric Gymnopedie to Rachmaninoff’s famous Preludes and Etudes -Tableaux to Gershwin’s own arrangement of Rhapsody in Blue for solo piano. There is also Chopin, Liszt and much more!
In a review Niigata Nippo Newspaper
of Japan states ” The large audience was captivated by Armenian pianist’s performances of masterworks by Chopin and other composers. Besalyan who has won numerous international competitions, showcased Chopin’s Etudes, Debussy’s “Clair de Lune” and Gershwin’s own piano solo version of Rhapsody in Blue among others, enchanting the classical music fans with his delicate touch and powerful and authoritative playing.”
Fanfare Magazine Interview and Reviews
The latest issue of Fanfare Magazine features Raffi Besalyan in an interview about his solo album “Dance, Drama, Decadence”, followed by rave reviews of the CD.
“This is phenomenal pianism from a keyboard phenomenon that needs to be heard by everyone interested in pianists and the piano.”
“There’s a physical strength and virility to Besalyan’s technical address mated to a bold spontaneity that can come only from a consummate mastery of the instrument and the musical notes.”
“..great authority, absolute control, and huge tonal resource to Besalyan’s Rachmaninoff Sonata that reminds me of Janis’s ‘Rach-3.’”
“Raffi Besalyan is a pianist of formidable ability, and one would like to hear more of him. In the meantime, I recommend this release for its compelling performances and as a sampling of this pianist’s artistry.”
Go to Press to read the complete reviews and the interview.
Japan Concert Tour 2012
“Niigata Nippo” Newspaper of Japan will present Raffi Besalyan in four concerts in various cities, celebrating the 70th Anniversary of the paper. The program will include works by Chopin, Liszt, Debussy, Rachmaninoff, Gershwin and others.
“Dance, Drama, Decadence” was selected as the “Classical Album of the Month” by one of Japan’s largest newspapers, “Mainichi Shinbun”.
“In his debut album, Armenian pianist Besalyan plays Rachmaninoff’s Piano Sonata No. 2 and other works, articulating the wistful romanticism with a kind of nostalgic tone. The expressive interpretations of Baghdassaryan’s Preludes and Komitas’ ‘Spring’, compositions from the pianist’s home country, also deeply touched my heart.” Tokihiko Umezu.
“This superb debut album consists of works that represent Besalyan’s true strength.”
Debut album “Dance, Drama, Decadence” was selected as the “Best New Release of the Month” and will be introduced and aired in its entirety on August 14 at 9:50 PM on Tokyo FM “Music Bird”, premiere classical music radio channel in Japan. It will be re-aired on the same channel on August 22 at 3:50 AM.
“Dance, Drama, Decadence” was chosen for the prestigious “Jun-Tokusen” award by The Record Geijutsu, Japan’s leading classical music magazine. The CD received rave reviews from three different critics.
“Indeed, he is a ‘true heir of the mainstream of Russian pianism, like Horowitz’…”
“Besalyan is a master of his art.”
“Besalyan demonstrates brilliant virtuosity … He also reveals abundant emotional commitment to the music…”
Go to Press to read the complete reviews.