MostArts Festival welcoming Karén Hakobyan to lead International MostArts Orchestra

Armenian-American conductor, pianist, and composer Karén Hakobyan will lead the International MostArts Orchestra in a concert featuring Russian pianist Asiya Korepanova on Tuesday, July 15 at 7:30 pm in Miller Theater of the Alfred University campus.

Korepanova returns to the MostArts Festival for a third season to perform Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 3 in D minor. Other works on the program include Beethoven's "Egmont" Overture and Prokofiev's "Classical Symphony."

Hakobyan, described as "a musician of abundant gifts and bountiful ideas" by New York Concert Review and "an immensely talented and dynamic performer" by Deseret Morning News, is a versatile force on the international music scene. Since making his Carnegie Hall debut at age 17, he has performed in major concert halls across Armenia, Argentina, Mexico, Germany, the UK, Belgium, France, Japan, and the United States.

He is the founder, principal conductor, and artistic director of Pegasus: The Orchestra, based in New York. As part of Pegasus's Fifth Anniversary Season (2022-2023), he conducted all five Rachmaninoff piano concertos with five soloists in a single evening at Lincoln Center, earning widespread critical acclaim.

Fanfare magazine described Hakobyan's Brahms Fourth Symphony as "a shattering experience, not to be missed." Notable conducting engagements include leading the Armenian National Chamber Orchestra in Armenia and the Ryukyu Symphony Orchestra, combined with top principals from Tokyo, in Japan. He is a frequent presence at prestigious festivals and concert series.

This July marks Hakobyan's debut with the International MostArts Festival Orchestra.

Tickets are on sale at www.alfred.edu/MostArts