Plays Pictures & Prokofiev

Atamian's 'Pictures' & Prokofiev CD is from early in his international cereer and demonstrates the roots of his dazzling technique, as well as the delicate sensitivity of his hands. These two monumental compositions test the limits of any pianist and clearly show not only the fiery, no-holds-barred style, but also the delightful versatility of this artist. In Pictures At An Exhibition, Mr. Atamian takes the listener through a gallery of paintings and depicts the observer strolling, stopping, looking, and reacting to the works. His expressivity accurately and passionately describes each experience. Prokofiev's Sixth Sonata is a staple in the repertoire of only the most accomplished of pianists. It's angular harmonies and daunting technical challenges are delivered with ease and excitement by Mr. Atamian's profound experience and musical maturity. Dickran Atamian has enjoyed a career that has spanned thirty years and covered four continents. He has established himself as a pianist of dazzling style, meaningful and exquisite musical insights, incomparable mercurial gifts, and an unmatched visceral excitement. In the year 2005, he celebrated his 30th season as First Prize winner of the 50th Anniversary Naumburg International Piano Competition held at Carnegie Hall. Additional award distinctions include First Prize in the International Recording Competition, a Martha Baird Rockefeller Fund for Music Prize and Prize-Winner in the William Kapell International Piano Competition. Since his debut with the Phoenix Symphony at age 11, he has stunned sold-out audiences in such places as Lincoln Center's Avery Fisher Hall and Alice Tully Hall, the 92nd Street Y, Town Hall, and Carnegie Hall in New York, Orchestra Hall in Chicago, the Kennedy Center and the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C., the Academy of Music in Philadelphia, Symphony Hall in Boston, Salle Gaveau in Paris, Town Hall in Sidney and the Great Hall in Moscow. He has played hundreds of concerts with many of America's most important orchestral ensembles including the New York Philharmonic, Cleveland Orchestra, Detroit Symphony, Seattle Symphony, Honolulu Symphony, and the Boston Pops. Other orchestral appearances include the Antwerp Sinfonia, Leningrad Philharmonic, Seoul Philharmonic, the Royal Philharmonic, UNAM and OSEM in Mexico City. He also has appeared at many U.S. music festivals including Aspen, Marlboro, Chautauqua and Ravinia. In addition to performing with many of the major orchestras, Atamian has collaborated with many renowned conductors. Lorin Maazel, Gerard Schwarz, Eduardo Mata, David Zinman, James DePreist, Gustav Meier, Victor Allessandro, Verner Torkanowsky, Jens Nygaard, Alan Hovanhess, Grzegorz Nowak, Enrique Batiz, Michael Morgan and scores of other conductors fill the pages of Atamian's expansive and energized career. Since his arrival on the international music scene in 1975, Atamian's career has been one of singular achievements. In 1979, he gave the world premiere of Stravinsky's Rite of Spring for solo piano at Carnegie Hall, followed by it's world television premiere on PBS (one of five recital specials voted 'Best of PBS' in 1981) and it's world premiere recording for RCA Red Seal (the first digital solo piano recording ever made). The PBS series was widely seen nationally and in syndication. In 1977, Atamian gave one of only two recitals performed in celebration of the Carter Inaugural Events. Finally, he created, performed in, and served as Artistic