Pegasus: the Orchestra Celebrates Fifth Anniversary with Suren Bagratuni Concert

Bagratuni noted that he came of age at a different point than Hakobyan, and thus, Armenia was different with regard to helping up-and-coming musicians, as was the Western system. “I come from times when an agency used to work for you. Nowadays often a musician is working for the agency, if he or  she is signed by one. My life has been slightly different from this ‘commercial’ arrangement — I play when I want, with whom I want, and what I want. Perhaps because I do have a secure job as professor, and don’t have to rely on multiple concerts to make a living. Naturally, I love playing, and appreciate an invitation to perform, like in case with Karen. I do have a manager for my concerts, and our relationship is based on mutual respect.”

He noted that he was not up to date with the situation regarding the arts in Armenia, “especially after the passing of my dear friend, Aram Gharabekian,” the Iranian-Armenian artistic director and principal conductor of the National Chamber Orchestra of Armenia.

For such a small country, Armenia has produced some amazing classical musicians, including opera soloists, pianists, and of course, Hakobyan and Bagratuni. One has to wonder why. According to Bagratuni, it is “education, the basics, great teachers, and a cultural life around us. There is great interest in classical music from people of almost every background. Opera, symphony orchestras, chamber orchestras — at the time I was growing up and forming as a musician, music wasn’t considered a business. Everything was funded by the state and concerts were very affordable. (In 1986, the price of ticket to Vladimir Horowitz’ concert was 5 roubles, less than a dollar!) Oh, and very important: no YouTube or easily available platforms, which young students use today to copy or ‘learn’ new pieces. Reading about composers’ lives, using one’s imagination, going to multiple live concerts — I find these conditions were very important for my overall musical growth.”

Pegasus: the Orchestra is a nonprofit professional orchestra with a mission to empower rising musicians with artistic freedom and promote innovative repertoire in an environment of creative thought and expression. Founded by Hakobyan in late 2017, the orchestra brings together musicians and audiences of diverse backgrounds and cultural heritages by harnessing the power of music.

Pegasus: the Orchestra has had a  Monira Foundation residency at Mana Contemporary cultural center in Jersey City, NJ. Some of the highlights from Pegasus’s engagements outside of its residency include: Debut concert at Merkin Concert Hall on November 23, 2019 featuring Glenn Dicterow, the legendary former concertmaster of the New York Philharmonic, and Pegasus’s own concertmaster, Eiko Kano, performing Bach’s Concerto for Two Violins, alongside works by Hakobyan and Tchaikovsky conducted by Hakobyan. A program of American music at the Friends of Music concert series in Stamford, NY on September 15, 2019, an event that illustrated a key aspect of its mission: to bring the sounds of a symphony hall to intimate spaces and locations where live music of a high caliber is rarely heard. Pegasus often performs orchestral works in special arrangements by Hakobyan. These are tailored for the Pegasus ensemble to take on the road and perform in all kinds of venues. Pegasus’ chamber series, featuring its world-class principals, fulfills its mission to provide an artistic platform through performance opportunities.

Several news outlets have showcased Pegasus, including Al Jazeera, Voice of America TV Network, Ardzagang Armenian TV, the Russian Television Network of America, The Voice of Armenians TV program on the NYC Life Channel, WGCH (Greenwich, CT) Talk Radio, WQXR New York Classical Radio, WSKG Radio and Get Classical’s online journal.

Pegasus had its Lincoln Center debut at Alice Tully Hall in October 2022, featuring the complete Rachmaninoff Piano Concerti performed by five pianists in a single evening.

Hakobyan has been described as “a musician of abundant gifts and bountiful ideas” by New York Concert Review, and “an immensely talented and dynamic performer” by Deseret Morning News.

Like Bagratuni, Hakobyan was ensconced in a musical cocoon in Armenia. “I was fortunate to study with some of the most incredible teachers there. This played an enormous role in my musical journey, from writing symphonies at age of 9 to winning international piano competitions to becoming a conductor and creating my own orchestra,” he said.

Hakobyan has worked hard to get to where he is now, professionally. He said, “On December 31, 2001, I arrived in the United States at the age of 16, completely alone, from Yerevan, Armenia. I had $200 and a full scholarship as a double major in piano and composition from the University of Utah.  After earning my B.A., I continued my studies in New York’s Manhattan School of Music, and today, I am the first Armenian conductor to create a high caliber professional orchestra on the East Coast. Its name is Pegasus: The Orchestra; I am its founder, director, and principal conductor.”

He noted that since the pandemic, “It has become increasingly more difficult for musicians and composers, to secure funding as well as performing opportunities. This is the case for both Armenia and the West. We all must do what we can to provide the support for performing artists and composers.”

Hakobyan said his orchestra hopes to cast a wide net and bring in non-Armenians as well as Armenians. “We have been dedicated to bringing symphony hall sounds to intimate venues, making full-bodied orchestral arrangements accessible to everyone. Of course, it will be meaningful to have a strong presence from the Armenian community at the concert,” he said.

The works Pegasus has performed has run the gamut from Baroque to new music, and everything in between. He noted, “We have performed Bach, Bartok, Khachaturian, Babadjanian, Copland, Gershwin, Grieg, Prokofiev, Tchaikovsky, and more. I am passionate about so many composers but of course, it is always special to feature works by Armenian composers.”

With Pegasus, Hakobyan is aiming high. “As humans we often dream of defying gravity and music does just that! It gives us wings. This was the source of inspiration behind creating Pegasus: The Orchestra, I wanted winged Pegasus to symbolize our musical aspirations,” he explained.

To see Bagratuni perform, click below:

DVORAK – Cello Concerto Op. 104, 1st movement

SCHUMANN Three Romances, Op. 94

To see Pegasus: the Orchestra perform:

GRIEG Holberg Suite Op. 40, I. Praeludium

TCHAIKOVSKY Serenade for Strings in C Major, Op. 48

BACH Brandenburg Concerto No. 5 (3rd movement) – Pegasus: The Orchestra

To learn more about Pegasus or to purchase tickets, visit: http://www.pegasustheorchestra.org