ARMEN-LEVON MANASERYAN – Pianist
ARMEN-LEVON MANASERYAN – Pianist
Armen-Levon Manaseryan had the idea of this project for a long time. Having inherited artistic talents from his grandmother, who was a famous Armenian Artist, and member of the Artists Union of Armenia – Aida Boyadjian, the pianist developed a professional hobby – painting. As many people know, when Mussorgsky went to the architect and artist Victor Hartmann’s exhibit, he was inspired to paint the famous Pictures At an Exhibition piano cycle in 1874. Color Of Sound is the complete opposite: Armen-Levon Manaseryan, being inspired by Mussorgsky’s music, has created his own 10 illustrations related to the music, which do not have a direct relationship to Hartmann’s paintings.
All Armen-Levon’s paintings come into motion, reminiscent of movie screenshots. Some of the pictures are very thought-provoking. What is the story behind the finished illustration that the public sees? For this project, the special handmade paper was used in the size of 50×38 with irregularly cut edges, reminiscent of papyrus. This gives a special effect, especially when presented at an exhibition. Mixed techniques were used. The world premiere of this project took place in the Heribert Koch master classes in Germany, along with the piano recital of Armen-Levon Manaseryan. After the premiere, the project was staged in Germany, Portugal, France, Armenia, Malta, Belgium, Spain, and many other countries. On all stages, in all countries where Color Of Sound has been, the audience has warmly welcomed the unique idea of solo piano concerts with exhibitions. In 2017-2018, KNS Classical Label presented the debut CD album of Armen-Levon Manaseryan – Color Of Sound. In addition to Modest Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition, he recorded the Piano Dances by Armenian composer Komitas Vardapet. Notably, the recording of the Komitas piano works represents the first instance of an Armenian composer being featured on the KNS Classical label. The CD’s booklet also includes Armen-Levon Manaseryan’s 10 illustrations based on impressions of Mussorgsky’s music.
The Old Castle reproduces the night-time landscape of a medieval castle, where the troubadour sings a lyrical and melancholic song. Manaseryan’s illustration is the 14th-century Montaigle, the Belgian castle,depicted on a foggy background. This same castle, by the way, was protected by the dwarf in the previous illustration. (The Gnome).
Tuileries is the park near the Louvre in Paris. Hartmann’s picture depicts children playing and quarreling in the park, while Manaseryan’s illustration shows the result of the conflict: a broken bicycle and deflated ball.
Bydlo means cattle in Polish. Hartmann’s painting shows two oxen hitched to a rural, four-wheeled wooden cart struggling up a hill. Manaseryan’s work shows one animal also struggling along a difficult, muddy path.
Ballet of Unhatched Chicks was written under the impression of Juliet Herbert’s Trilby ballet sketches. In Hartmann’s version, children are wearing a costume made of broken eggshells. In Manaseryan’s version, the children are replaced by the chicks themselves.
Samuel Goldenberg and Schmuÿle are Hartmann’s paintings of the profile of rich and poor, which Mussorgsky united in one piece, creating a striking contrast between two different human characteristics and social levels. Manaseryan’s version illustrates the evidence and action of these two types of individuals.
Hartmann’s version presents a picture depicting a quarreling woman in the South of France. Manaseryan’s illustration accentuates the gossip of two women.
