Reviews Schönberg & Brahms Album

«The piano trio version of Verklärte Nacht is shaped by the trio with an inspiring, intense density and fullness of expression. In this way, they both bring out the deep emotions of the underlying poem and reveal the crystalline clarity of this arrangement. In doing so, they succeed in preserving the expressive eloquence and the colorful charm of the work».
Pizzicato Magazine

„The trio plays with real polish and a level of expression that feels effortless, but this new account can rub shoulders with the finest recordings. (….)
This magnificent score is given an outstanding reading here by this trio, which displays a striking combination of unity, expression, intonation and accuracy, creating an anxious, passionate beauty together with great emotional tension.“
MusicWeb International

„She, violinist David Haroutunian, and cellist Mikayel Hakhnazaryan offer with their ethnic affinity perhaps an ideal midpoint between well-established chamber groups and one-off ensembles; their performances of both works are fluent and rich. And above all, the program makes persuasive sense.“
Allmusic.com / by James Manheim

“Inner World”

“When you leave your homeland, you leave behind something very important that is hard to describe in words. Itis that light and air which you unconsciously love, it is the smell of spring, the kindness of people under whose warm gaze you flourish and of course, the sounds of music. How lucky we musicians are to be able to collect all these precious things into one whole – into music, into melodies that are always with us in our head and heart; melodies that belong to us all, that we can reproduce and relive at any time. By leaving one country you give yourself the chance to discover another world, where new motifs and colours accompany you like a guide, in the search for your own voice and your own inner world.
This recording is an illustration of my musical journey, during which I meet friends old and new with equal joy.”

Release April 2023

Teaching in Karlsruhe

I am teaching chamber music at the Academy of Music Karlsruhe since the winter semester 2021/22. I am looking forward to inspire young students for chamber music and to give on all my knowledge.

Armenian Piano Trio

A long cherised mutual dream came finally to life: with pianist Sofya Melikyan and violinist David Haroutunian we founded a Piano Trio. Our first CD recording will be released in September 2021 by Rubicon Classics, featuring Brahms Trios Op. 87 & 101, to be followed by more chamber music by Brahms.
Enjoy some excerpts from our concert last October in Paris!

New Projects

During the pandemic I started to plan new projects and can share more about them soon here. Stay tuned!

Calendar

May 2025

Hannover

21.05.2025 19:30

Kaija Saariaho: Terra memoria (2007)
Birke Bertelsmeier: Krise (2022)

Kuss Quartett

@Richard-Jakoby-Saal

Jun 2025

Budapest

15.06.2025 - 21.06.2025

Masterclass European Orchestra Academy

Jul 2025

Masterclass Casalmaggiore

10.07.2025 - 14.07.2025

Application & Info

Masterclass Pula

15.07.2025 - 20.07.2025

Application & Info

ENSEMBLES

Biography

Mikayel Hakhnazaryan has been the cellist of the Kuss Quartet for sixteen years and the principal cellist of the Munich Chamber Orchestra for ten years.
Chamber music lies at the heart of his musical work, representing his greatest passion and enabling him to connect deeply with other musicians and his audience.

In addition to the Kuss Quartet, the Armenian Piano Trio, founded in 2020 and comprising pianist Sofya Melikyan and violinist David Haroutunian, also plays a significant role in his musical life.

He regularly performs with renowned musicians such as Viviane Hagner, Miklós Perényi, Mirijam Contzen, Mischa Maisky, Dénes Várjon, Maurice Steger, Sarah Maria Sun, and Alexander Lonquich.

With the Kuss Quartet, Mikayel Hakhnazaryan is a frequent presence in major concert halls, including Wigmore Hall in London, the Berlin Konzerthaus, the Mozarteum in Salzburg, the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, the Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg, and Teatro La Fenice in Venice.

Born in Armenia, Mikayel has remained deeply connected to his homeland. After graduating from the Armenian State Conservatory, he continued his studies at the Tibor Varga Academy of Music in Sion under Marcio Carneiro and completed his soloist diploma with Prof. Ivan Monighetti at the Basel Music Academy. During his time at the Tibor Varga Academy, Mikayel regularly appeared as a soloist, chamber musician, and member of the chamber orchestra.

A particularly valuable inspiration in his musical career has been the long-standing collaboration and friendship with cellist Steven Isserlis, who also introduced him to Prussia Cove. For over 15 years, Mikayel regularly participated in the “Open Chamber Music” weeks there.

In Armenia, Mikayel Hakhnazaryan has performed as a soloist with the Armenian Philharmonic Orchestra and the State Symphony Orchestra. He has also collaborated in a “play & lead” role with the Armenian Chamber Orchestra.

He is a sought-after principal cellist, having performed with numerous prestigious orchestras, including the Basque National Orchestra, Lucerne Symphony Orchestra, Camerata Bern, Camerata Salzburg, Amsterdam Sinfonietta, Basel Chamber Orchestra, Gstaad Festival Orchestra, and Cappella Andrea Barca.

In recent years, Mikayel has regularly appeared as a guest with the Berlin Philharmonic and performed with their chamber music ensembles, such as the 12 Cellists and the Scharoun Ensemble.

He has taught masterclasses for Jeunesses Musicales, the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, Suntory Hall in Tokyo, and other renowned institutions. Since the winter semester of 2021/22, he has been a lecturer for chamber music at the Karlsruhe University of Music.

In April 2023, his solo CD Inner World, featuring works by Schumann, Rachmaninov, and Khachaturian, was released on the Rubicon label.

Mikayel plays a cello crafted by Andrea Castagneri in 1735.

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