Noteworthy work by Babayan in the final five works showcased the technique he is known for. There was the fleet-fingered cadenza in the Tartini work, a gypsy violin piece — the opening music reminiscent of Victor Young’s score to the 1947 film “Golden Earrings; the bow control in Kreisler’s “Preludium and Allegro”; and the culmination of technique and emotion that flowed in the bittersweet tone drawn from his violin in the beautiful “Lullaby” from the “Gayné Ballet Suite” by Khachaturian.
Not satisfied with the full program, the audience demanded the return of Babayan and Kradjian. Without identifying the pieces, the two produced three encores. They were the violin standard “Souvenir” by Franz Drdla, “The Bee” by Francois Schubert and an unannounced work by Kradjian.
The program was presented under the auspices of the Cultural Division of the Homenetmen Glendale Ararat Chapter.
BILL PETERS has reviewed the classical music scene in Southern California since 1998.
