Ara Malikian is undoubtedly one of the most brilliant and expressive violinists of his generation. In possession of a personal style, forged from his own origins and rich musical experience, his artistic voice has emerged as an original and innovative presence on the world and musical scene.
Born in Lebanon in 1968 to an Armenian family, Ara Malikian began studying the violin at a very early age with his father. His talent was recognized and nurtured despite the difficulties encountered because of the war, forcing him to study during long periods of time in air-raid shelters. He gave his first serious concert at the age of 12 and when he was 14, he obtained a scholarship from the German Culture Ministry to study at the Hochschule für Musik und Theater in Hannover. At 15, he was the youngest pupil to be admitted in this prestigious centre. He later furthered his studies at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama in London and studied with renowned professors such as Franco Gulli, Ruggiero Ricci, Ivry Gitlis, Herman Krebbers and members of the Alban Berg Quartet.
An undiminishing musical and human restlessness have led Ara to deepen his relationship with his own Armenian roots and to assimilate music of other cultures, like those of the Middle East (Arab and Jewish), Central Europe (Gypsy and Klezmer), Argentina (Tango) and Spain (Flamenco). All this is achieved within a personal language in which the rhythmic and emotional strength of these types of music go hand in hand with the virtuosity and expressiveness of the great European classical tradition.
With a wide-ranging repertoire that includes a majority of the important pieces written for violin (concertos with orchestra, sonatas and pieces with piano and chamber music), he has also premiered works by modern composers such as Franco Danatoni, Malcolm Lipkin, Luciano Chailly, Ladislav Kupkovich, Loris Tjeknavorian, Lawrence Roman and Yervand Yernakian. Malikian is also one of the few violinists who plays recitals for solo violin with programs featuring complete cycles of such as the 24 Paganini Caprices, the 6 sonatas of Eugene Ysaÿe and the sonatas and partitas of Bach.
Malikian has been recognized in may competitions of worldwide reputation, including first prizes at the International Competitions “Felix Mendelssohn” (1987, Berlin, Germany) and “Pablo Sarasate” (1995, Pamplona, Spain). In addition, “Zino Francescatti”(Marseille, France), “Rodolfo Lipizer” (Gorizia, Italy), Jeunesses Musicales” (Belgrade, Serbia), “Rameau” (Le Mans, France), “International Artists Guild” (New York, USA) and the “International Music Competition of Japan”. In 1993 he received the “Prize for Artistic Devotion and Achievement” from the German Ministry of Culture.
Malikian has performed in the most important concert halls of the world in more than 40 countries on five continents: New York (Carnegie Hall), Paris (Salle Pleyel), Vienna (Musikverein), Toronto (Ford Centre), Madrid (Auditorio Nacional and Teatro Real), Venice, Los Angeles, Taipei, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Cuba, Barcelona, Bilbao and many more. He has also participated in festivals at Aspen, Colamar, Prades, Schleswig-Holstein, Braunschweig, San Sebastian, Segovia, Bergen, Freden, Metlach and Prague.
Malikian has worked with figures such as Joaquín Cortés and Belén Maya, film composers such as Pascal Gainge and Alberto Iglesias with whom he recorded the soundtrack for “Talk to her”, the Academy Award winning movie by Pedro Almodóvar.
Ara currently resides in Madrid, for more information please visit his official website at www.aramalikian.com.
