Armenian pianist Nareh Arghamanyan visited the Twin Cities at the beginning of October to open the Frederic Chopin Society's 2009-2010 season.
At just 20 years old, Arghamanyan already has an impressive list of awards and accomplishments, including winning competitions in France, Spain, Vienna, Salt Lake City, and Eastern Europe.
All that aside, she says her life on the international stage began when she won First Prize in the 2008 Montreal International Music Competition. She virtually swept the competition aside in Montreal, winning the Audience Choice Award and recognition for the best interpretation of a piece by a Canadian composer.
At 15, she was the youngest student ever granted admission to the University for Music and Performing Arts in Vienna. It comes as no surprise that Arghamanyan graduated only four years later with top honors.
We were lucky enough to hear her in St. Paul, performing at the Janet Wallace Fine Arts Center at Macalester College, the first of an impressive list of pianists on schedule for the Frederic Chopin Society of Minnesota this year.
Tune in to Regional Spotlight Thursday afternoon on Classical MPR or click on the audio to the right to hear a selection from Arghamanyan's recital.
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