Most of the sons of the Armenian nation conveying impressive and original colors to the world are strongly connected to the Homeland, their roots and the past and present of their nation, and one of those sons is world famous cellist, 28-year-old Narek Hakhnazaryan, who was hosted by the Minister of Diaspora of the Republic of Armenia. During his visit to the RA Ministry of Diaspora, I had an interesting interview with Hakhnazaryan for Hayern Aysor.

Karine Avagyan: Welcome to Armenia, particularly the RA Ministry of Diaspora! Narek, I think you have an important mission to accomplish in the Homeland…

Narek Hakhnazaryan: Thank you! There are two reasons why I am here. First, I have a longing for my Homeland. I relax here, get positive energy, pull myself back together, tour the sites that are close to my heart and meet my family, friends and relatives. Over the past one-and-a-half months, I have been rather busy giving concerts in Japan, Korea, Taiwan and New Zealand. I have given solo concerts in three countries, and I performed with a symphony orchestra across New Zealand. In fact, during two concerts in the Japanese city of Kioto, I performed all 6 suites of Bach for the cello for the first time in my life. It was a very difficult task, and I completed it with a high sense of responsibility. The other reason is the Ministry of Diaspora, which invited me to participate in the discussion on the Nairi Pan-Armenian Festival. On July 5, the Youth Symphony Orchestra of Armenia and I will be performing Kamil Sensans’s “Concerto for the Cello” and present several works by contemporary Maltese composer Alexander Shor in Armenia during a concert to be held at Aram Khachaturian Grand Concert Hall.

Karine Avagyan: Narek, do you decide which composer’s works you will play, or do you have a producer or consultant?

Narek Hakhnazaryan: I am mainly the one who decides, but there are cases when I have to perform at a concert or festival dedicated to the memory of this or that composer, to an anniversary or devoted to a particular topic, and that is when I talk to the specialists and organizers. They give me advice or ask me to perform a given work.

Karine Avagyan: As much as I know about music and as far as I understood, you almost always commit yourself to perform quite difficult works of great composers…

Narek Hakhnazaryan: I think all professionals need to aspire for great heights, and, of course, it is necessary to overcome hardships. This is the path for moving forward, improving and growing the right way. I try to set bigger goals for myself and work day and night to achieve them.

Karine Avagyan: You have received an invitation from the organizers of the Nairi Pan-Armenia Music Festival. Taking into account your concert tours, will you have time to participate in the festival to be held in September?

Narek Hakhnazaryan: It is hard for a musician to promise to participate in any event that is going to be held a couple of months later because concert tours are scheduled for a year. I received the invitation yesterday. I deeply respect the Minister of Diaspora and will do my best to attend.

Karine Avagyan: Narek, you are only 28 years old, but you have already achieved great heights. Talented people almost always face hardships and obstacles on the road…As you look back, how do you feel? What obstacles have empowered you or disturbed you or made you feel depressed?

Narek Hakhnazaryan: I am very grateful for all the hardships that I have faced and all the people who have disturbed me. I must say that they have made me stronger. When I get angry, I work more effectively. So, I thank those who have disturbed me, made me angry and continue to make me angry because that only pushes me forward.

Karine Avagyan: Narek, you have received many medals, awards and international prizes. Which of them is the most precious for you?

Narek Hakhnazaryan: All of them are precious, but what is more important is the Movses Khorenatsi Medal that I received from my country, my Homeland and particularly the President of the Republic of Armenia. I matter to the world and am appreciated, but it is more important to be appreciated by your country, government and people.

Karine Avagyan: You have been lucky to play the cello created in 1707 by world famous craftsman of musical instruments Giuseppe Gvarneri. How did you feel when you were playing the cello that was created by the renowned craftsman and used by well-known musicians? Does playing that instrument change anything in your performance? Is there an advantage or enigma?

Narek Hakhnazaryan: There is no special meaning in a name for me. The important thing is for the instrument to be of quality, sound beautiful and give me the opportunity to implement my ideas and achieve my goals that are connected to music. I consider myself lucky that this instrument is created by a good person and sounds beautiful. Currently, the violin is being repaired in Canada.

Karine Avagyan: Narek, what made you become a popular cellist? Is it the fact that you are the son of violinist Suren Hakhnazaryan and pianist Gaiane Hakhnazaryan, or is it your God-given talent and your love for the cello?

Narek Hakhnazaryan: Of course, my good family of musicians has helped me a lot. What has also helped me is the atmosphere and my God-given talent. Being the son of such people is a big responsibility, and I have always aspired to maintain the reputation of the Hakhnazaryans. My two brothers are also musicians. My second brother, Tigran Hakhnazaryan is a conductor and performs with various reputable groups around the world. Tomorrow he will be conducting the Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra at the Aram Khachaturian Grand Concert Hall.

Karine Avagyan: What is the stage on which you haven’t performed yet? Which work have you not played yet?

Narek Hakhnazaryan: I haven’t played at the Berlin Philharmonic and the legendary Golden Hall in Vienna. I have performed in Berlin and Vienna, but not in those halls. I have touched upon almost all the works of composers.

Karine Avagyan: Who is the best audience for you? I would like you to touch upon the Armenian audience in detail and compare it with the audiences in different countries around the world.

Narek Hakhnazaryan: As they say, ours is different. The Armenian audience is the closest to my heart. I get very happy when I see many young Armenians in the audience. The age of the audience has changed during my recent concerts. The new generation finally appreciates, loves and listens to classical music. The new generation is very smart and educated. In the audience I see very bright and smart people. A lot of work is being done in the cultural sector. I highly appreciate the work that the new Minister of Culture of the Republic of Armenia Armen Amiryan is doing and like his fresh and interesting ideas.

Karine Avagyan: Narek, can all this serve as an impetus for you to return to the Homeland and settle here?

Narek Hakhnazaryan: You know, my return will be very relative and metaphorical. I can’t help my country inside the country because Armenia doesn’t have wonderful concert halls. Armenia doesn’t have a large audience that impatiently waits for classical music concerts. My mission is to tour the world and present Armenia, Armenians and Armenian music. I regret to see how talented Armenians don’t present themselves as Armenians from Armenia. I am a citizen of Armenia, but I lie in Vienna and present myself to the world with my last name. I perform great Armenian songs during my concerts and introduced foreigners to Armenian music. I must also say that I regularly visit Armenia’s regions and give concerts.

Karine Avagyan: Where will you be performing next?

Narek Hakhnazaryan: I will give solo concerts in Germany, France and Holland, and in August, I will perform with an orchestra in Astana. I have quite a lot on my hands.

Karine Avagyan: What does the Homeland mean to you?

Narek Hakhnazaryan: The Homeland is my pride and joy.

Interview by Karine Avagyan