Classical music must be a little difficult to grasp, says conductor

The Youth Orchestra’s art director and chief conductor says he isn’t much concerned about the fact the low- class music commonly known as rabies (from the Russian ‘workers’ art’) has gained somewhat a wide popularity in the Armenian society.

Speaking to Tert.am, Armen Smbatyan explained that he does not feel the lack of what he called propaganda of classical music which he said must be a little bit unreachable to wide masses.

“I don’t feel the lack of it because I don’t think classical [music] has to be widespread enough to lose its value. Classical [music] must be much more neutral and listened to by people with better understanding skills capable of appreciating it, because it is very complicated,” he said.

“Believe me that classical music must be a little unreachable even to those whose intellectual but also emotional understanding and mentality do not fit it. What’s even more, I do not agree to the opinion that classical music is being ignored today. Classical music is now more popular than it was 4-5 years ago.”

Smbatyan further spoke of his orchestra’s latest achievements, saying that he is very proud of the results. “Today, I speak of an orchestra that has reached the peak of its success. Ours is perhaps the only orchestra that receives invitations from abroad two or three times a year; it performs concerts in different formats and is very successful. It is necessary to be successful a little and have an ability to present [the music] in the right way,” he noted.

The musician said it is also important to be optimistic and have a better eye for the positive to see the real progress in the sphere in Armenia.

“There is an interest in Armenia; we have groups that receive a state sponsorship. There is nothing of the kind in other countries. It is very good, so we must be able to appreciate it. It must be propagandized more, of course, but it is necessary to little by little awaken that enthusiasm in the people. And that is already noticeable,” he said, bringing the example of the orchestra’s success particularly after Hollywood Non-Stop.

“We performed the concert program Hollywood Non-Stop after which we have 1,200 young people in Armenia coming to our concert. Do you understand what a big mass it is? That means they have joined our orchestra, so we are the first to attract members and have an audience or friends,” Smbatyan added.

At the end, the musician called for being optimistic in the new year and giving up the gloomy outlook of the future. “The colors through which a person may look upon things depends only on him or her. We have a stereotyped opinion that everything is bad, but if you do an analysis, you will see that we more speak than really face the negative,” he added.

Smbatyan said he prefers to spend the New Year and Christmas holidays at home, surrounded by his family. “On very rare occasions have I seen New Year in in Armenia, but since very childhood I have developed the understanding that it’s a very intimate holiday. So I don’t understand how people can prefer restaurants.

“For me, holidays marking the start of the year are a new phase of life that see you try to forget all the difficulties and embark on a new period, waiting for the best. That’s why New Year is a very intimate family holiday in my understanding, which I think will never transform into something else for me,” he added.