Beatrice Ohanessian (March 15, 1927 – July 17, 2008) was an IraqiArmenianpianist, notable for being Iraq's first concert pianist and first female composer.[1]
Ohanessian was born in Baghdad in 1927 to a well-to-do Armenian family. Her father, born in Persia, had settled in Baghdad after a time in India working with the British.[2] Her mother and two uncles were orphaned survivors of the Armenian genocide. Both parents encouraged her to study music.[1] Ohanessian enrolled in the Institute of Fine Arts, graduating with special mention as a piano major.[3] Upon graduating, she served as an assistant to her Romanian piano professor, Julien Hertz.[4] An Iraqi governmental scholarship allowed her to further her studies at the Royal Academy of Music in London with professor Max Pirani.[3] Four years later, she received her LRAM in piano performance and pedagogy, and a second major in singing.[4] She went on to receive a Fulbright Scholarship to study at the Juilliard School in New York City, which culminated in a debut performance at Carnegie Hall. Her scholarship was then extended for another year, due to the 14 July Revolution in Iraq.[4]
Return to Iraq
While in the United States, Ohanessian visited her brother, Arsham, and his wife in Minnesota. There, she performed with the Minnesota Orchestra and was encouraged to stay in America. But Ohanessian felt a need to be in Iraq.
Everyone told me I should stay in America, but an inner voice told me I should go back to Iraq and teach my fellow countrymen to love music. Classical music was new to penetrate Iraq and it needed people like me there to nurture it.[4]
Ohanessian was then appointed head of the piano department at Baghdad's Institute of Fine Arts. During summer breaks, she would participate in Master Classes and musical seminars in various countries.[3] In 1961, she became principal concert pianist for the Iraqi National Symphony Orchestra, a post she held for over thirty years.[1] From 1969 to 1972, she taught simultaneously at the University of Minnesota and Macalester College.[3] In 1980, during the Iraq-Iran War, she wrote the first Iraqi Western composition.[4] Her work came to the attention of Iraqi officials, including presidentSaddam Hussein. When asked what reward she would like for her achievements, she requested a better piano.[5] She was presented with a Steinway grand piano, which she left behind as she settled in the United States after the first Gulf War. The spring before she died, the piano, which had been kept safe by one of her friends in the Iraqi National Symphony, finally arrived in Minnesota, stuffed with several of her evening gowns.[6]
Later life and death
In 1994, Ohanessian moved permanently to the United States, settling in Minneapolis-Saint Paul, joining her brother, Arsham, and sister, Sita. She again began teaching at the University of Minnesota, Macalester College, as well as the University of St. Thomas.[5] She served as the organist for the Armenian Apostolic Church of St. Paul 2020-10-21 at the Wayback Machine.[3] Ohanessian died of cancer on July 17, 2008, in Bloomington, at the age of 81.[5]
References
^ abcCombs, Marianne. Music in Baghdad: An Iraqi pioneer looks back. Minnesota Public Radio. Retrieved August 7, 2008.
^Windle, Holly. Baghdad Barcarolle: How Beatrice Ohanessian became Iraq's foremost classical pianist. Nodin Press, 2008, ISBN978-1-932472-78-3, p. 10
^ abcCohen, Ben. Ohanessian was piano prodigy of Iraq, world. Star Tribune. Retrieved August 8, 2008.
^Klein, Allegra. Mission to Baghdad 2008-05-15 at the Wayback Machine. Strings Magazine. Retrieved August 8, 2008.
May 05, 2023
beatrice, ohanessian, march, 1927, july, 2008, iraqi, armenian, pianist, notable, being, iraq, first, concert, pianist, first, female, composer, bornmarch, 1927baghdad, iraqdied17, july, 2008, 2008, aged, bloomington, hennepin, county, minnesota, united, state. Beatrice Ohanessian March 15 1927 July 17 2008 was an Iraqi Armenian pianist notable for being Iraq s first concert pianist and first female composer 1 Beatrice OhanessianBornMarch 15 1927Baghdad IraqDied17 July 2008 2008 07 17 aged 81 Bloomington Hennepin County Minnesota United StatesNationalityArmenian United StatesEducationJuilliard School Royal Academy of MusicOccupation s Composer Musician Contents 1 Biography 1 1 Early life and education 1 2 Return to Iraq 1 3 Later life and death 2 ReferencesBiography EditEarly life and education Edit Ohanessian was born in Baghdad in 1927 to a well to do Armenian family Her father born in Persia had settled in Baghdad after a time in India working with the British 2 Her mother and two uncles were orphaned survivors of the Armenian genocide Both parents encouraged her to study music 1 Ohanessian enrolled in the Institute of Fine Arts graduating with special mention as a piano major 3 Upon graduating she served as an assistant to her Romanian piano professor Julien Hertz 4 An Iraqi governmental scholarship allowed her to further her studies at the Royal Academy of Music in London with professor Max Pirani 3 Four years later she received her LRAM in piano performance and pedagogy and a second major in singing 4 She went on to receive a Fulbright Scholarship to study at the Juilliard School in New York City which culminated in a debut performance at Carnegie Hall Her scholarship was then extended for another year due to the 14 July Revolution in Iraq 4 Return to Iraq Edit While in the United States Ohanessian visited her brother Arsham and his wife in Minnesota There she performed with the Minnesota Orchestra and was encouraged to stay in America But Ohanessian felt a need to be in Iraq Everyone told me I should stay in America but an inner voice told me I should go back to Iraq and teach my fellow countrymen to love music Classical music was new to penetrate Iraq and it needed people like me there to nurture it 4 Ohanessian was then appointed head of the piano department at Baghdad s Institute of Fine Arts During summer breaks she would participate in Master Classes and musical seminars in various countries 3 In 1961 she became principal concert pianist for the Iraqi National Symphony Orchestra a post she held for over thirty years 1 From 1969 to 1972 she taught simultaneously at the University of Minnesota and Macalester College 3 In 1980 during the Iraq Iran War she wrote the first Iraqi Western composition 4 Her work came to the attention of Iraqi officials including president Saddam Hussein When asked what reward she would like for her achievements she requested a better piano 5 She was presented with a Steinway grand piano which she left behind as she settled in the United States after the first Gulf War The spring before she died the piano which had been kept safe by one of her friends in the Iraqi National Symphony finally arrived in Minnesota stuffed with several of her evening gowns 6 Later life and death Edit In 1994 Ohanessian moved permanently to the United States settling in Minneapolis Saint Paul joining her brother Arsham and sister Sita She again began teaching at the University of Minnesota Macalester College as well as the University of St Thomas 5 She served as the organist for the Armenian Apostolic Church of St Paul Archived 2020 10 21 at the Wayback Machine 3 Ohanessian died of cancer on July 17 2008 in Bloomington at the age of 81 5 References Edit a b c Combs Marianne Music in Baghdad An Iraqi pioneer looks back Minnesota Public Radio Retrieved August 7 2008 Windle Holly Baghdad Barcarolle How Beatrice Ohanessian became Iraq s foremost classical pianist Nodin Press 2008 ISBN 978 1 932472 78 3 p 10 a b c d e Obituaries Star Tribune Retrieved August 7 2008 a b c d e Boghosian Papas Lisa Twin Cities Beatrice Ohanessian A Famous Pianist and Pioneer of Music Archived 2007 10 21 at the Wayback Machine Armenian General Benevolent Union Retrieved August 7 2008 a b c Cohen Ben Ohanessian was piano prodigy of Iraq world Star Tribune Retrieved August 8 2008 Klein Allegra Mission to Baghdad Archived 2008 05 15 at the Wayback Machine Strings Magazine Retrieved August 8 2008 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Beatrice Ohanessian amp oldid 1151151343, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
