Heghine Rapyan
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Heghine Rapyan | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | April 24, 1985 |
| Occupations | Musician, pianist |
| Instrument | Piano |
| Years active | 1995–present |
| Website | piano |
Heghine Rapyan (born April 24, 1985 in Gavar, Armenia) is a pianist of Armenian origin. She is an honors graduate (diploma with distinction) of the “Komitas” State Conservatory, Yerevan, Armenia and the Mozarteum University Salzburg, Austria.
Born in Gavar, Armenia, Heghine Rapyan demonstrated an early aptitude for music. She began playing the piano at the age of three and received her initial training at the local music school under A. Zagaryan. She later studied with Armen Babakhanian at the Tchaikovsky Music School and the Yerevan State Conservatory, graduating with honors.[1] Seeking to refine her craft, she pursued advanced studies at the Mozarteum University Salzburg, Austria. There, she studied under esteemed professors Peter Lang and Rolf Plagge for piano performance and Imre Rohmann and Tünde Kurucz for chamber music. In 2017, she graduated with distinction, earning a Master of Arts (MA) degree.[2]
At sixteen, Heghine Rapyan embarked on her first international concert tour, performing in Germany, Austria, and the Netherlands. She gained early recognition after winning the Kawai Artist Prize at the Armenian Legacy International Piano Competition in 2001. Her victory at the Stephan Elmas International Piano Competition further cemented her reputation as an emerging talent.[2]
Performance and Recordings
Heghine has performed at prestigious venues, including Megaron Hall in Athens, Thessaloniki Concert Hall, Rudolf-Oetker-Halle in Bielefeld, Theatre Politeama Cicily. She has also captivated audiences across Asia, with performances at the Beijing Concert Hall, Poly Shanghai City Theater, and Shenzhen Concert Hall.[3]
Her latest album, The Soul of Smyrna, was released in April 2023 by Solo Musica/Naxos.[4] The recording received critical acclaim, with BBC Music Magazine describing it as a sensational discovery. The American Record Guide named it the Best CD of 2023.[5]
Her interpretations have been highlighted in major classical music publications and radio stations EU, including WDR and hr2 in Germany and SRF in Switzerland.[6]
Rapyan has performed as a soloist with renowned orchestras, including the Armenian Philharmonic Orchestra, Armenian National Chamber Orchestra, the Female Symphony Orchestra of Austria, Salzburg University Orchestra, and Camerata Louis Spohr Düsseldorf. Her collaboration with conductor Hisayoshi Inoue led to celebrated performances of Liszt's Piano Concerto No. 2, which was broadcast on Tokyo National Radio. In October 2024, she made her debut at the Tonhalle Düsseldorf, performing Florence B. Price's Piano Concerto.[7]