World famous Armenian pianist Vardan Mamikonyan had a concert in the National Gallery hall several days ago. V. Mamikonyan has played around the world and has taken part in many festivals. He lives in Paris, but often leaves for Germany, where his parents currently live. The historical name of this pianist makes him more responsible, and sometimes he even compares his piano with Vardan Mamikonyan’s horse jokingly and says, “You should like your piano, take care of it in order to make it obey you”, says Vardan Mamikonyan.
– It seems that many people around the world don’t really listen to classic music. What can you say about Europe?
– Everything that is not part of show business is not sold easily. In all countries it is difficult to sell classical music CDs. I think that in all countries, as well as in Europe, it is difficult to record classical music. They should really think about that. Usually, recording companies that agree to record classical music take the money from sales of other CDs in order to record classical music. They compensate the difference with this. Of course there are many concerts and visits to other countries, but it is easier to gain fame by recording. Television also plays a huge role here. There are two very good orchestras in Armenia, and I think it would be better if TV networks broadcasted their music.
– In spite of that, classical music is shown less than other genres, because, as people say, it has a low reputation.
– One of the Armenian channels, “Shoghakat”, broadcasts classical music and that is rewarding. “Shoghakat” and “Cultura” channels show classical music more than European TV channels do.
– How can classical music attract young people?
– There are very good traditions in Armenia. For example, in Europe, music school students attend classes once a week, but in Armenia they attend twice a week. My parents used to go to concerts every week. We used to go to concerts with our friends too. I think it will be good to bring these traditions back. Children may not understand anything at first, they may laugh later, but if they listen to that music for several times, they will like it for sure. If young people don’t want to go towards classical music, we should go towards them. We should find a way to make them be interested in it. We may organize programs consisting of popular music and make them be interested in classical music. There is no need to start everything from the most difficult point. When I took part in the festival at the National Gallery, I saw that people were really interested.
– Do you think that new environments and stage settings may help present classical music in another way?
– Of course, this is a very good idea because music sounds different in museums. The Pushkin museum in Moscow has been doing this for a while now. As for me, I would like to meet children and play for them. I don’t mean just music school students, but also children from other schools, even those that don’t know what classical music is. This would help them understand that classical music is not such a difficult thing and that they shouldn’t be afraid of it.
– I think that musicians should also be good actors and encourage people. What’s your opinon?
– Yes, music is also a play of figures and, accordingly, we are actors. Every famous musician created his/her own world, and we should understand that world and then present it in a good way. Musicians must give their best to the audience. I can’t live long without a piano, I work every day and must be ready all the time. I don’t know what I will do in several years because I have a very busy schedule. I think everything must be done in the best way, and thus music must be played in the best way.
– What do you think about changing classical music? Do you think that it is good to try new things?
– Experiments are good: if it is done professionally, it must be given new colors. I have personally changed some of Bach’s creations so that I can play it on the piano. And I don’t think I have spoiled that music.
– A lot of good musicians have left Armenia. Do you think it is possible to have a good career in Armenia?
– Now there are more possibilities in Armenia than back in the 90s when I left. I think most of them regret being far from Armenia. But it is very important for musicians to get money so as to be sure that they are earning a living. If they are paid well here, I am sure most of them will stay. I hadn’t planned anything before leaving Armenia; I just wanted to have a good career. But I couldn’t do that in the Soviet Union. At first I left for Moscow to study there, and then I left for Europe.
– There are different kinds of audiences. What do you think about the Armenian audience?
– I have always liked playing in Germany and Austria the most; the audiences in those countries are prepared and like music a lot. I like the Armenian audience too. We shouldn’t forget that we don’t work for professionals; first of all we should give positive feelings to the audience. Armenians expect to hear good music. Of course, the social/economic status in Armenia is worse than that of Europe, but I can see happiness in the eyes of Armenians. I can also see that there isn’t aggression in the eyes of Armenians in spite of the poor living standards. It means that Europeans feel more pressure being rich and living the good life. They don’t like, as they say, to “open their hearts”.
– In big countries people tend to start families with people of different nationalities. Do you think that the younger generation of Armenians living out of Armenia consider themselves as Armenians?
– At first, France didn’t want to integrate into the European Union because they thought they would lose their features. But later they saw that it wasn’t so bad. France and Germany still are the key countries of Europe. We should keep both our national features and join Europe. And if Europe is not united, it can’t find its place and compete with China and America. Nowadays English is the first world language and even in France children are taught English at kindergartens. I don’t see anything wrong about that. Young Armenians living in France almost don’t speak Armenian, but they still feel that they are real Armenians. Armenians are respected much in France. Even in streets when you say that you are Armenian, people remember the names of the Armenian entertainers/artists they know: Charlez Aznavour, Henrii Verneoul, etc. They even know about the Armenian Genocide and respect Armenians a lot.