Hye Sharzhoom Armenian Action
Photo: ASP Archive
Sarine Topaldjikian
Staff Writer
The Youth Orchestras of Fresno (YOOF) hosted their annual fundraiser concert, “Love Conquers All,” on Sunday, February 11. The concert featured the Youth Philharmonic Orchestra (YPO) and Youth Symphony Orchestra (YSO) combining to perform the first suite from Aram Khachaturian’s energetic, lively, yet romantic ballet, Spartacus, co-sponsored by the Armenian Studies Program at Fresno State. Dr. Thomas Loewenheim, music director of YOOF and conductor of the Youth Philharmonic, led the concert.
Spartacus was first premiered in 1956 by the Kirov Ballet in Leningrad (now St. Petersburg), Russia. It was later revised and adapted by Khachaturian in its current form and successfully debuted in Moscow by the Bolshoi Ballet in 1968. The adapted version has become Khachaturian’s most famous ballet as it was grouped into a number of suites for a classical concert setting.
“As someone who has only played with the Youth Orchestras of Fresno for a little over a month, it was welcoming to know that in my first opportunity to perform that I would play Spartacus,” said Ariana Garabedian, a junior at Clovis West High School and violist in the YPO. “As an Armenian, it touched me simply because it shined a light on how incredible the contributions of Armenians are to music, literature, and art. My knowledge of Armenian history and experiencing the Armenian culture helped me to further connect with the work and gave it more of a meaning than simply notes on a page.”
The program opened with Mikhail Glinka’s Overture to the opera, Ruslan and Ludmila.
It also featured guest artist violinist Erika Raum, who performed the beautiful and luscious Mendelssohn Violin Concerto. Raum was also featured one day prior in the 6th Annual Violin and Viola Festival at Fresno State.
The program was well received and Dr. Loewenheim thanked the audience members for their support.