GLENDALE–Renowned Music Director and Conductor Vahe Khochayan–will lead the Reno Chamber Orchestra in a much anticipated concert at the Alex Theater on Sunday–June 3–2001.
Iranian-born Vahe Khochayan started his first violin lessons with the late Rouben Grigorian–and is a graduate of the Tehran Conservatory of Music. In 1950–Khochayan moved to Rome where he continued his studies at the world famous Santa Cecilia Academy of Music–receiving degrees in both violin and chamber music.
Upon graduation–he became a permanent member of the internationally known chamber orchestra Societa Corelli. In 1956 Maestro Khochayan toured Europe and the US extensively with Societa Corelli. The orchestra performed 44 concerts in major US cities–including Jordan Hall in Boston. Khochayan also served as 1st violinist with the Cirri String Quartet of Rome–and as concertmaster of the Tartini Chamber Orchestra of Rome.
Upon his return to Iran in the early 60’s–Khochayan was commissioned by Queen Farah Pahlavi to form the National Radio and Television Chamber Orchestra–with which he performed at the Persepolis Music Festival. Maestro Khochayan and his lifelong friend–composer–violinist and conductor–the late Ludwig Bazil founded the Hye-Yerk choir in Tehran.
During his tour of the US with Societa Corelli–Maestro Khochayan discovered and fell in love with the city of Reno. "We played in many cities–Reno was the most charming one," he recalls. In 1970 he migrated to the US and settled in Reno–where he acted as concertmaster for both the Sierra Collegium Musicum and the Reno Philharmonic.
In the pioneer spirit of his new home–Khochayan founded the Reno Chamber Orchestra in 1974 with the support of a selected group of professional musicians. He is the original conductor and music director of the Reno Chamber Orchestra–a position that he holds to this day.
In the course of his many years with the Reno Chamber Orchestra–Maestro Khochayan has received several major awards. He is a recipient of the 1978 "Critics Award" for best director of the year in the classical music category. For three consecutive years "Critics Award" has recognized him and the orchestra as the "Best Concert of the Year,"Best Artistic Performance of the Year," and "Artistic Improvement Orchestra of the Year," in the classical music category. The orchestra was also named "Most Intimate Orchestra" by the San Francisco Chronicle. In 1983 Khochayan received the prestigious Governors Award for artistic achievement.
Maestro Khochayan’s and the orchestra’s dedication to music increased their popularity and reputation–thus attracting more and more renowned artists such as violinist-conductor Oscar Shumsky and his son Eric–Pepe Romero–Daniel Heifets–Sharon Robinson–Seung- Un Ha–Roy Malan–Robin Sutherland–Scott Yoo–James Winn–Israel Baker–Bettina Ware–Ida and Ani Kavafian–Evelyn de la Rosa–Bion Tsang–Emil de Cou–Alyssa Park–and of course Catherine Manikin and Itzhak Perlman.
The Reno Chamber Orchestra will perform at the Alex Theater in Glendale with Catherine Manoukian as soloist on Sunday–June 3 at 3 p.m.
For more information–call 1-800-414-ALEX