Tavit Tashjian



Armenian-American pianist Tavit Tashjian was born in Nicosia, Cyprus and came to the United States at the age of 1. He begun his first piano lessons at the age 6 years old, discovering very early in life that his desire was to become a concert pianist. His primary mentors and teachers have included film composer/pianist Marcelo Cesena, Alexander Toradze,

Professor of the internationally renowned Toradze Piano Studio at Indiana University, and primarily Dr. Caio Pagano at Arizona State University. He has performed throughout North America and Europe recently being featured with Mississippi Symphony, Roanoke Symphony, Lima Symphony, among others. He has collaborated with conductors, musicians, and composers such as David Stewart Wiley, Crafton Beck, Blaise Magniere, Carlos Alves, Zae Munn, Tony Devroye, Emily Ray, and has recently recorded an album with British violinist Pip Clarke.

Reviews

To further melt the hearts of ladies everywhere, the dashing Armenian pianist, Tavit Tashjian, dazzled with his vibrant smile and feathery light fingering of the piano keys. The Cyprus born Armenian pianist — a 23 year old rising star – made his debut with RSO & Maestro Wiley, brilliantly delivering the bold youthful romance of the great Rachmaninoff third concerto with a depth and maturity way beyond his years. The audience was fixated as he passionately played the nearly 40-minute piece without a glimpse of fatigue – but rather with vibrance, power and grace. The sold out crowd burst to their feet for a standing ovation filled with thunderous applause and raucous shouts of approval.

From the charm and intimacy of the pre-concert Illuminations to soaring melodies of Beethoven's "Pastorale" and the roaring march of Rachmaninoff's opus 30 to the final note of the second encore, David Stewart Wiley and Tavit Tashjian delivered a performance capable of thawing the coldest of hearts."

                                                                         -Roanoke Star Sentinel

LSO Concert Blows Crowd Away"

It was only fitting that the concerto was performed by 22-year-old Armenian pianist Tavit Tashjian. Tashjian played the piece with such ease and perfection that people left the concert buzzing about his ability, stage presence, and the future for this young performer. The symphony installed an overhead camera and hung a big screen so the audience could see his playing from above. I'm sure some enjoyed the extra look, but I'm also sure others would have preferred it not be there. Whether they liked the extra electronics, they all loved the performance.

The concerto had really nice transitions and kept everyone's interest through the musical epic ending. We are so lucky to be able to experience such international artists as Tashjian and to enjoy the performing arts at such a high level.

Congratulations to Artistic Director and Conductor Crafton Beck and the Lima Symphony on a successful and entertaining evening."

                                                                       -The Lima News