YEREVAN (Noyan Tapan)–The National Chamber Orchestra of Armenia under the baton of Aram Gharabekian performed at the House of Chamber Music on September 22-23 thus opening the 1999-2000 concert season in Armenia.
The program included Bach’s Brandenburg Concert No. 3–a concert for a double string orchestra–the piano and kettledrum by Czech composer Martinu (to be for the first time performed in Armenia)–Armenian modern composer E. Hayrapetian’s "Lost Balloon," variations on the subjects of Frank Bridge composed by British composer B. Britten. The soloist was clavecin player and pianist Ella Melik-Usian.
In 1995-1997–Ella Melik-Usian was a pianist with the Yerevan Chamber Orchestra. She made numerous performances in Russia–the Baltic States–France–Britain–Germany–Greece and the United States.
Hayrapetian composed "The Lost Balloon" for the National Chamber Orchestra of Armenia and was recorded on a laser disc by PolyGram of Germany in the Geghard Cathedral built inside a rock–which gave special acoustic effects to the sound.
The National Chamber Orchestra of Armenia is sponsored by the Benevolent Fund of Vatche and Tamar Manoogian.