The Pegasus Piano Series directors Nadejda Vlaeva and Karen Hakobyan join forces in kicking off its opening season and debut concert on September 16 at 7:00 pm at Mana Contemporary. The exciting program is designed to showcase the extraordinary talent of the two pianists. They start the concert with a luscious piano duet, Dvorak’s Slavonic Dance “Dumka.”

Karen Hakobyan then proceeds with three Etudes by Chopin: the famous “Aeolian Harp” Etude, the hauntingly lyrical E major Etude, Op. 10 No. 3, and the ferocious C-sharp minor Etude, Op. 10 No. 4. Then come two works by Debussy: Les soirs illuminés par l’ardeur du charbon, a charming work only discovered a few years ago, and L’isle joyeuse, considered by some to be Debussy’s most ambitious piano piece. Two songs by Gershwin transformed by American pianist Earl Wild into solo piano etudes are performed next by Hakobyan. He ends his solo appearance with the Transcendental Etude No. 10 by Franz Liszt, a whirlwind coined “Appassionata.”

Nadejda Vlaeva then takes the stage, presenting a Romantic era Fantasy by German composer Robert Volkmann. The Fantasy is appealing with lyrical melodies, brilliant passagework, and dramatic episodes. Although Volkmann’s music is not well-known today, it was greatly admired by Liszt, Schumann, and Brahms. The Fantasy is appealing with lyrical melodies, brilliant passagework, and dramatic episodes. Vlaeva concludes her solo selections with Venezia e Napoli by Liszt. This work consists of three individual pieces titled Gondoliera, Canzone, and Tarantella. Gondoliera takes one on a romantic boat ride through the canals of Venice. Canzone is a dark, brooding work of abrupt contrasts. The concluding Tarantella is a true showpiece where Liszt dazzles with fast repeated notes, cascading arpeggios, octaves, and other pyrotechnics.

To conclude the evening, Hakobyan and Vlaeva return together to the stage to perform another of Dvorak’s Slavonic Dances for piano duet, this time his exciting and playful “Furiant.”

Join the Pegasus Piano Series season kick off celebration over wine and cheese followed by a unique concert experience, which includes engaging commentary about the music from the artists.

Wine and Cheese Reception 6:00-7:00 PM

Concert 7:00 – 8:15 PM