Event
Grand Piano Series presents Aznavoorian Sisters
Aznavoorian Sisters
Ani Aznavoorian, cello
Marta Aznavoorian, piano
Komitas Vartabed — Armenian Folk Songs
Debussy — Sonata for Cello and Piano
Falla — Six Spanish Folksongs
Brahms — Sonata for Piano and Cello No. 2 in F Major, Op. 99
Cellist Ani Aznavoorian and pianist Marta Aznavoorian bring their seamless synergy to Daniels Pavilion for an evening of lyrical elegance. They open with Komitas Vartabed’s vivid Armenian Folk Songs, move through Debussy’s lush Cello Sonata and explore Falla’s vibrant Six Spanish Folksongs. The program concludes with Brahms’ deeply expressive Sonata in F Major, Op. 99 — an ideal showcase for the sibling duo’s blend of warmth, precision and emotional depth.
This presentation is part of the Grand Piano Series.
Aznavoorian Sisters
Aznavoorian Sisters
The Aznavoorian Sisters launched their musical careers with a debut performance at ages 4 and 8 at their Armenian church in Evanston, Illinois. They secured first prize in the Illinois Bell Young Performers Competition, which led to a memorable live appearance with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, aired on PBS. Since then, they have performed together across western and eastern Europe, most recently in Khachaturian and Komitas Halls in Armenia. They’ve also taken the stage at Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall and delivered numerous recitals in their native Chicago.
Their talent earned them the National Foundation for the Arts Award, designating them Presidential Scholars in the Arts and opening doors to performances at The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., and the White House, where Ani met President Bill Clinton and Marta met President George H. W. Bush. They have worked with and commissioned pieces by notable contemporary composers, including Lera Auerbach, Clarice Assad and Osvaldo Golijov, enriching the landscape of modern classical music.
In 2022, the Aznavoorian Sisters released their debut album, Gems from Armenia, on the Cedille label. The recording features Armenian music and includes a world premiere composition written for them by Peter Boyer and Vache Sharafyan, earning widespread praise from reviewers. Beyond their artistry, the sisters are committed to musical education, supporting programs that provide opportunities for students from underrepresented backgrounds. They established the Keynote Foundation to fund and nurture these students, helping them reach their full potential in music.
Grand Piano Series
Grand Piano Series
Grand Piano Series is a nonprofit 501(c)(3), tax-exempt and financially self-supporting organization. Founded in 2016 by Milana Strezeva and Raniero Tazzi, Grand Piano Series is a nonprofit concert and education organization that seeks to enrich the cultural life of the Southwest Florida community with memorable concerts by international artists of the highest caliber, along with a dynamic program of community outreach for all ages, including programs for over 10,000 students each year in Collier and Lee counties.
For more information, visit grandpianoseries.org.
