“This program is a loving tribute to A. Khachaturian, the towering musical figure from my native Armenia and to G. Gershwin, the musical genius from my adopted home, the United States. These two composers are bridged here by the phenomenal pianist/composer and Hollywood superstar, Oscar Levant. Some of the works on the album have been my loyal recital companions since childhood, the others have become such upon my immigration to America as a young adult.” – Raffi Besalyan

The CD includes a world-premiere recording of Oscar Levant’s jazzy Sonatina.

Hailed as “a true heir of the mainstream of Russian pianism, like Horowitz” (Chopin Magazine, Japan), “a keyboard phenomenon” (Fanfare Magazine), “a formidable pianist with a commanding presence and rich interpretive gifts” (American Record Guide), “a master of his art” (The Record Geijutsu Magazine, Japan), Raffi Besalyan has established an international reputation of a magnetic and passionate performer. Award-winning pianist and Associate Professor of Piano at Georgia State University in Atlanta, Dr. Raffi Besalyan has toured North and South America, Europe, Russia, and Asia performing in such prestigious venues as Carnegie Hall and Merkin Hall in New York City, Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., Orchestra Hall in Chicago, Atlanta Symphony Hall, Max M. Fisher Music Center in Detroit, Moscow Conservatory’s Rachmaninov Hall and Maly Zal, Izumi Hall and Phoenix Hall in Osaka. He dazzled his audiences appearing as a soloist with many prominent orchestras, including the Osaka Symphony Orchestra and Kansai Philharmonic in Japan, the Orchestra Sinfonica Del Festival Di Chioggia in Venice, Italy, the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra, the Yerevan Symphony Orchestra in Armenia, the Belgorod, Symphony in Russia, the Kharkov Symphony in Ukraine, the New Jersey Festival Orchestra, and the Moscow Chamber Orchestra among others.

Besalyan’s performances have also been heard on National Public Radio, WQXR and WNYC NY, WGBH Boston, WFMT Chicago, WABE Atlanta, CBC Public Radio Canada, and Tokyo FM Japan. Critics on both sides of the Atlantic have praised his performances for their virility, poetry and extraordinary technical command. Besalyan received international accolades for his solo albums “Dance, Drama, Decadence” (IMC Music, Japan, 2012) and “The Return” (Sono Luminus, 2015). He is also featured on the “Bach-Busoni Edition, Vol.I” for Koch International Classics with pianist Sara Davis Buechner. In addition Dr. Besalyan edited important piano music by composers from his native Armenia like Eduard Baghdasarian, for Muse Press of Tokyo, Japan. Among Besalyan’s competition awards are top prizes received from the Josef Hofmann International Piano Competition, Artists International Competition, the New York Frinna Awerbuch International Competition, and the MTNA National Piano Competition.

Dr. Besalyan studied at the Yerevan State Komitas Conservatory in Armenia, Rowan University, Manhattan School of Music and the Moscow State Tchaikovsky Conservatory.