Virtuoso pianist Evgeny Kissin will be leading a special concert at Carnegie Hall entitled "With You, Armenia" in commemoration of the centennial of the Armenian genocide at the hands of the Ottoman Turks some 100 years ago. As Classicalite contributor James Inverne duly lets us know, the concert will juxtapose Armenian composers with works by Chopin and, surprise, will feature the world premiere of a newly composed work by Krzysztof Penderecki. Poland's greatest living composer, as per the Guardian, yes, Mr. Penderecki is all too familiar with historical horrors--and how to honor them.
Tuesday, May 26 at Carnegie Hall marks but the first in a series of concerts around the world, in association with the Yerevan Perspectives International Music Festival. The festival is a year-round celebration that invites top-flight classical soloists and ensembles to Armenia, organizing special events in cooperation with Armenia's own Ministry of Culture.
Classicalites, you're culturally aware. Most of you grew up learning about the ethnic cleansings of the first half of the 20th century. 100 years later, it is shocking, indeed, that the Armenian genocide is still not universally accepted, as is the fact of it ever having happened at all. In fact, it's only in the last weeks--as the centenary date, itself, neared--that Pope Francis acknowledged the carnage, as have the leaders of France, Russia, Germany and Austria.
Shockingly, but perhaps not unbelievably, Turkey's leadership has voiced strong objections. Meanwhile, President Obama still won't actually say the word "genocide."
And yet, Kim Kardashian will?
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