Sahan Arzruni Sharing the Gift of Music with Armenia’s Next Generation

Last month, a familiar melody once again echoed through the towns and villages of Armenia, as world-renowned Armenian-American pianist and beloved friend of FAR, Sahan Arzruni, returned to the stage to inspire children in Armenia’s communities, such as Talin, Gavar, Yeghegnadzor, Vayk, Armavir, Abovyan, Charentsavan, Hrazdan, Aparan.

From May 10 to 31, Sahan Arzruni performed a free, charitable concert tour organized by FAR, a tradition that began in 2016 with a powerful mission to nurture young talent and bring high-quality musical experiences to Armenia’s regions, where opportunities like this are still far too rare.

But these concerts were more than performances: in every town he visited, Sahan met with music school teachers and students, listened to their performances, held master classes, and even invited students to share the stage with him during the concert which followed the master classes. For many, it was a moment they'd never forget, for Sahan, it was a deeply personal. “It’s not only good for the kids, it’s meaningful for me, too,” he said. “I get to see the beauty and richness of each community and feel the pulse of Armenian culture.”

Born in Istanbul, Arzruni moved to New York in 1964 to pursue his education at Juilliard, eventually becoming a celebrated pianist, composer, producer, and ethnomusicologist. His work has been recognized by composers like George Crumb and covered in major publications including The New York Times, Musical America, and Cumhuriyet. Yet despite his global acclaim, Sahan never lost sight of his roots and his responsibility to give back.

“Armenian music is not just about melody. It’s the rhythm of our language, the soul of our people. Komitas understood that deeply, and so do I.” 

Thank you, dear maestro, for your unwavering commitment to shaping a more vibrant, inclusive future for Armenia’s young musicians!