YEREVAN, JUNE 30, NOYAN TAPAN. The Yerevan premiere of "Lament" work by Japanese composer Ikkaru Hayashi will be presented by the world-famous "Tokyo" string quartet on July 1 at the Aram Khachatrian concert hall. The Japanese composer wrote this work especially for "Tokyo." As quartet's viola-player Kazuhide Izomura reported at the June 30 press conference held in Yerevan, the "Lament" work consists of one part and was written in the form of a chaconne. "The chaconne consisting of variations is a beautiful work, which meets the warm attitude of audience for its harmony. We hope that the Armenian audience fond of classical music will also estimate it properly," the Japanese viola-player said. "Tokyo's" musicians mentioned that though they visit Armenia for the first time, they are acquainted with the Armenian culture to some extent. In particular, they have heard the performance of string quartet after Komitas. K.Izomura reported that he was taught to play the violin by American Armenian violinist Ivan Galamian, thanks to whom he was able to master the secrets of classical music. It was also mentioned that Peter Unjian has been the first violin of the quartet for 15 years. Owing to him the quartet was able to reach a professional level. The concert was initiated by the Music Information Center of Armenia. The quartet will perform within the framework of the "Prospects of 21" 6th international music festival. According to composer Stepan Rostomian, center's Art Director, it's already the sixth year that famous musicians' concerts are organized in Armenia within the framework of the festival. Famous viola-player Yuri Bashmet, "Moscow Soloists" chamber orchestra, virtuoso pianist Francois-Joel Triole, British Chilinkirian quartet, Russian string quartet after Borodin and "Chronos" American quartet had concerts in Yerevan within the framework of the festival. S.Rostomian also informed that the "Prospects of 21" festival will become a honorable member of European Festival Association by the end of the year. To recap, the "Tokyo" string quartet will meet with Yerevan Mayor Yervand Zakharian and RA Minister of Culture and Youth Affairs Hovik Hoveyan.

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