TAVIT TASHJIAN
Pianist
The young Cyprus born Armenian pianist, Tavit Tashjian is already beginning to carve a name for himself as a very bright new star on the musical horizon. In a world of so many young soloist pianists, Tavit simply stands apart. At just twenty three years of age, his playing is astonishingly mature and certainly belies his youthful years. He has been described as "having a very particular gift, possessing impressive technique and a colorful sound with a beautiful cantabile." Tavit is already receiving numerous accolades and his performances have been noted to be "brilliant" and "energetic and virtuosic".
Tavit began piano at the age of age of six in Los Angeles and gave his first public performances within a year. Four years later, his family moved to Arizona where he still resides today. Since that time, he has appeared in many solo recitals and as guest artist with orchestras.
He began pursuing his education with a Bachelor's in Piano Performance with the internationally renowned Toradze Piano Studio at Indiana University South Bend. From there, he went on to continue his studies at Arizona State University. His teachers have included Dr. Baruch Meir, Marcelo Cesena, Alexander Toradze, and Dr. Caio Pagano.
Tavit was awarded first prize at the Ann Walling Competition and has also participated in many master classes including those with Andre Watts, Christopher O'Riley, Karyl Louwenaar, Leonidas Lipovetzky, Leonard Mastrogiacomo and Nelita True, among others.
We are proud to represent this remarkable young talent and are currently offering him to symphony orchestras across North America for the 2011/12 season.
REVIEWS
To further melt the hearts of ladies everywhere, the dashing Armenian pianist, Tavit Tashjian, dazzled with his vibrant smile and feathery light fingering of the piano keys. The Cyprus born Armenian pianist — a 23 year old rising star – made his debut with RSO & Maestro Wiley, brilliantly delivering the bold youthful romance of the great Rachmaninoff third concerto with a depth and maturity way beyond his years. The audience was fixated as he passionately played the nearly 40-minute piece without a glimpse of fatigue – but rather with vibrance, power and grace. The sold out crowd burst to their feet for a standing ovation filled with thunderous applause and raucous shouts of approval.
From the charm and intimacy of the pre-concert Illuminations to soaring melodies of Beethoven's "Pastorale" and the roaring march of Rachmaninoff's opus 30 to the final note of the second encore, David Stewart Wiley and Tavit Tashjian delivered a performance capable of thawing the coldest of hearts."
-Roanoke Star Sentinel, February 2010
LSO Concert Blows Crowd Away
"It was only fitting that the concerto was performed by 22-year-old Armenian pianist Tavit Tashjian. Tashjian played the piece with such ease and perfection that people left the concert buzzing about his ability, stage presence, and the future for this young performer. The symphony installed an overhead camera and hung a big screen so the audience could see his playing from above. I'm sure some enjoyed the extra look, but I'm also sure others would have preferred it not be there. Whether they liked the extra electronics, they all loved the performance.
The concerto had really nice transitions and kept everyone's interest through the musical epic ending. We are so lucky to be able to experience such international artists as Tashjian and to enjoy the performing arts at such a high level.
Congratulations to Artistic Director and Conductor Crafton Beck and the Lima Symphony on a successful and entertaining evening."
-The Lima News, November 2009