Classical Young Stars Concert in Gozo featuring Russia & Armenia

by Gozo News · November 11, 2015

The European Foundation for Support of Culture, in collaboration with the newly the established New Names Malta Foundation, under the Distinguished Patronage of President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, and supported by the Government of Moscow, the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Malta and the Russian Centre for Science and Culture, is presenting the Classical Young Stars Concert Series between 10th and 15th November, under the artistic direction of Mro. Alan Chircop.

The six young musicians from Malta, winners of the New Names Malta – National Music Competition, which was organised by New Names Malta Foundation, will perform alongside the eight young winners of national competitions organised by New Names Russia and New Names Armenia, who also won several national and international competitions and have now embarked on a successful international musical career.

A concert will be held in Gozo tomorrow (Friday) at the Ministry for Gozo in Victoria, starting at 7.00pm. The concert will feature Ilia Mikhailov – violoncello from Russia and, Ghukasyan Astghik – piano from Armenia.

Commenting on the recently established New Names Malta Foundation, Mro. Alan Chircop, the Foundation's President and Artistic Director said that, "young musicians from Malta who merit to be given the opportunity to participate in the New Names Malta – National Music Programme, will be featuring in this concert series with the New Names laureates from Russia and Armenia, attend master-classes and perform in concerts both in Malta and abroad, representing Malta in several international music festivals, as well as receiving financial support and guidance to further their studies."

As for the local public, it will be an opportunity to enjoy a whole week of concerts in prominent venues of Malta and Gozo and to be introduced to such instruments as kanun – a string instrument played in much of the Middle East, Central Asia, and south-eastern Europe and duduk – an ancient double-reed woodwind flute made of apricot wood, which is indigenous to Armenia.

The project is supported and endorsed by Ms. Rita Sargsyan, the First Lady of the Republic of Armenia; Ms. Asmik Pogosyan, Minister of Culture of Armenia; HE Vladimir Malygin, the Ambassador of the Russian Federation; Mr. Arthur Matikyan, Director of the Russian Centre for Science and Culture in Malta; and Mr. Denis Matsuev, President of New Names Russia Foundation.

The public is invited to attend the Classical Music Concert Series, dates of which are shown below.

Further information about the Concert Series is available at www.eufsc.eu, while free entrance tickets may be booked by e-mail on info@eufsc.eu or on telephone number 7772-7222.

These events are being generously sponsored by the Corinthia Hotel, St. George's Bay, Malta, Cake Art by Hannah Coleiro, The Italian Job, Agenda Bookshop, Gozo Culture and Information Office, Malta Experience, Russkaya Trapeza Store (Sliema), Printagram, Engel & Völkers and the official carrier Air Malta. Special thanks also go to Emmanuel Delicata Winemakers, painter Anna Verbenets and tourist guides Alla Karelina and Karina Ellul Bonnici.

The young artists from Russia are:

· VLADIMIR IVANOV – piano

· MIKHAIL USOV – violin

· ILIA MIKHAILOV – violoncello

· ROSTISLAV MUDRITSKIY – accordion

The young artists from Armenia are:

· HAKOBYAN GAGIK – duduk

· BALDRYAN NAREK – singer

· MUSINYAN MERI – kanun

· GHUKASYAN ASTGHIK – piano

The young artists from Malta are:

· Ryan Abela (13 yrs) – saxophone