Music
Press
author: George A. Gerhard
The ten pieces on this disc Volumes I and II, assayed clearly and
beautifully by Composer and pianist Setrak Setrakian, display the composer's
capability for variety within each separate work........Setrakian
finds the music's distinctive beauty and even manages some coherence
to the overall program. When he needs to be fleeting and clever, as in
the J. Brahms, Sonata No.2 Op.2, he does so in a pitch-perfect,
non-tongue-in-cheek fashion; when he needs to be lush, as in the
Khachaturian-Setrakian, Sabre Dance or the very end of Melody
and Variations, he achieves a round, centered tone. His touch is just
right for this music, which he takes on with an appropriately serious
sense of whimsy. These compositions are so irresistibly pretty that
this disc is worth a listen on that score alone.
George A. Gerhard, Music Reviewer - author: George A. Gerhard
Profundly Moving [About the Brain symphony]
This is a work of a great emotional charge. Sincere and direct, it demands of the listener a great sensibility, but the recompense is rich. I had the fortune of finding Mr. Setrakian’s music in this site a long time ago with his Sonate Poliphonique, and every new opus of this author is a new jewel. His classical training and purity of the development, blend the flavour of his land, and time, and life. I find this so moving, as if I were meeting the author’s world. This is the strength I find in this music and what I think is the real sense of making music at first place. Returning to this particular composition, this time we face a desperate situation of sadness and interminable darkness. That I must say is difficult to face, Mr. Setrakian gives us a very difficult time in his life so sincerely that is admirable. I felt a hard time hearing this work but I have to Thank for it (I had tears in my eyes.). I don´t know yet what my heart is learning of this musical experience, I think is the same in the composers life, just remaining hope for the future.
Review on the Sibelius music site, by its reviewer Miguel Angel Almaguer Molina, on 17th Dec 2002 - Miguel Angel Almaguer Molina
Discography
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/setrak2
http://bitmunk.com/view/media/6817743
Photos
Bio
Setrak Antoine SETRAKIAN
Date and Place of Birth:1938 Beirut Nationality: Lebanese
Music Education:
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1950-1960 I have studied piano, solfege, theory and harmony with Prof. Ernest Chouha in "Ernest Chouha" Music College in Aleppo.
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1961-1962 I have studied piano, harmony with Prof. T. Succar, Mrs. Turkiyeh and Prof. Michel Tcheskinov in the National Conservatoire of Lebanon.
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1962-1964 I have studied in the National Conservatoire of Damascus harmony and composition with Prof. Sergey Schydril.
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1964-1965 I have studied piano and composition with Prof. Gunther Kohl in Jerusalem.
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1966-1970 In Aleppo and Damascus I have given lessons of piano and harmony.
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1971-1972 I have been invited to "Komitas" Conservatoire of Yerevan to specialize with the following professors:
1) Etvart Mirzoyan Composition
2) Etvart Baghdasarian Harmony
3) Krikor Hakhinian Polyphony
4) Kevork Armenian Orchestration
5) Elenora Atamian Piano
6) Aved Derderian Opera Composition
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1974-1978 I was professor of piano in College Mont la Salle, Beirut.
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1978-1980 I was professor of piano in College des Apotre, Beirut.
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1980-1985 Professor of piano in Beirut. (personal lessons)
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1985-1988 Professor of piano and music in the Armenian Theological Seminary of the Catholicosate of Cilicia.
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1986-1987 Professor of piano and harmony in P. Ganatchian Music College, Beirut.
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1987 -1999 Director and Professor of piano, harmony, composition, and music analysing, in P. Ganatchian Music College, Beirut.
N.B. In 1994 I have been awarded by the Catholicos KAREKINE I, the medal of honor St. "MESROB MACHDOTZ".
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