North American Debut of Original Compositions to be Performed in Concert by Nicolas Mazmanian

Award-winning French composer and pianist Nicolas Mazmanian will give his first piano recital in North America, French Reflections on the American Dream, at the Colburn School's Mayman Hall in Downtown Los Angeles on Friday, September 9, 2016. The program features Mazmanian's original classical compositions for piano, which invite the audience into a world of fantasy, dreams, and inner romanticism. Mazmanian's accessible melodic music reflects the strong influence of French, Armenian, and American composers.

The free one-hour performance starts at 7:30pm; doors open at 7:15pm. For additional information, please see Mazmanian's official site at www.nicolasmazmanian.com as well as the Facebook event page at https://www.facebook.com/events/1319628804728199.

The concert will run for one hour, with no intermission. Although the event is free, reservations are required via http://nicolas-mazmanian-us-debut.eventbrite.com. The Colburn School is located at 200 South Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90012 (map). Guests of the Colburn School may park in Lot Three, located on Second Street between Olive and Hill streets. Enter on the corner of Second Street and Olive Street, or on the corner of Second Street and Hill Street. This lot charges $10.

French Reflections on the American Dream -

The Colburn School recital on Friday, September 9, 2016, French Reflections on the American Dream, includes 10 original compositions performed by Mazmanian on Mayman Hall's Steinway grand piano.

In addition to French (Claude Debussy) and traditional Armenian influences, Mazmanian's poetic work has also been shaped by numerous composers from the United States. American artists reflected in his music include George Gershwin, Erich Wolfgang Korngold, Aaron Copland, Morton Feldman, Steve Reich, Michael Torke, John Williams, Thomas Newman, and Alan Menken. The one-hour recital will include the following selections written by Mazmanian:

"Saphir" (Sapphire) - 2013

- Inspired by the 2012 Australian film The Sapphires.

"Romance" - 2016

- The world premiere of a new Mazmanian composition with Celtic elements.

"Elegie" (Elegy) - 2008

- A nostalgic composition in the Armenian tradition.

"Diasporama" - 2007

- A tone poem evoking the sadness of Mazmanian's grandfather, who left Armenia for France due to the 1915 genocide. Commissioned by the Orchestre Régional de Cannes.

"Theme et petites variations" (Theme and Little Variations) - 2015

- A short, funny piece commissioned for kids by the Cabriés School of Music in France.

"Exaltation" - 2007

- The first piece of Mazmanian's Suite for Piano No. 1, which celebrates the exaltation of a nascent love. Reminiscent of Claude Debussy, Erik Satie, and Morton Feldman.

"Fantaisie" (Fantasy) - 2008

- The second piece of Mazmanian's Suite for Piano No. 1, a two-part fantasy with a lyrical theme interrupted by acrobatic octaves and Chinese elements.

"Le lever du jour" (Sunrise) - 2011

- A contemplative piece with jazz elements.

"Mélodie" (Melody) - 2013

- The second piece of Mazmanian's Suite for Piano No. 2: The World in Her Eyes, a little melody which grows to a tragic orchestral climax.

"Farming" - 2013

- The third piece from Mazmanian's Suite for Piano No. 2: The World in Her Eyes, an ode to nature and love.

ABOUT:

Nicolas Mazmanian - Born in Marseille, award-winning composer and pianist Nicolas Mazmanian started to play the piano at age 6 and went on to study at the conservatories of Marseille and Rouen. He then entered into a partnership with the Orchestre Régional de Cannes Provence Alpes Côte d'Azur, conducted by Philippe Bender and Lionel Bringuier, for four consecutive seasons.

The Czech National Symphony Orchestra commissioned and recorded his William Conrad Suite for Orchestra in 2003. William Conrad was also performed in concert by Orchestre Régional de Cannes in 2005 with Bringuier conducting. The Orchestre Régional de Cannes commissioned his "Diasporama" (2007); and the Marseille Opéra Philharmonic Orchestra commissioned his four movement Symphony (2010), under the direction of Guy Condette. He, as a pianist, along with Alain Aubin on vocals, recorded a CD of work by major Argentinian composer Carlos Guastavino entitled Jardin de amores. Additionally, Ensemble Pythéas has commissioned several chamber works from him.

As a piano soloist of the Ensemble Télémaque, led by Raoul Lay, he has performed at numerous venues throughout France, including Théâtre Les Bouffes du Nord, Opéra National de Bordeaux, Théâtre de Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, and the Opéra de Marseille. He has also performed at Stadhuis Arnhem (Netherlands), the French Cultural Institute de Tétouan (Morocco), Studio Flagey (Belgium), and Théâtre Manoel (Malta).

Among the many awards he has won are the French National Assembly medal, the City of Marseille medal, the Henri Tomasi prize, and the International Chamber Music Competition Henri Sauguet at Martigues.

He currently teaches piano at the Conservatory of Marseille.

Colburn School - The Colburn School comprises four academic units united by a single philosophy that all who have a desire to study the performing arts should have the opportunity and access to excellent training. The degree-granting Conservatory of Music, the open enrollment Community School of Performing Arts, the Music Academy for pre-college musicians, and the pre-professional Dance Academy, a program of the Colburn School's Trudl Zipper Dance Institute, provide training to over 2,000 students from the Los Angeles area and across the world. The renowned teachers, performers, and scholars that make up Colburn's dedicated faculty serve as invaluable mentors to guide students' artistic development.

Mazmanian's recital will be held in Mayman Hall, an intimate recital hall with an acoustical ceiling, intimate modern feel, and 800 square foot stage area. The hall, which features a Steinway grand piano, seats up to 85 people.

Photo credit: Hervé Lavigne.

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