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Kristina Arakelyan

Biography

Kristina was born in 1994 in Budapest, Hungary and is of Armenian origin. She began her piano studies at the age of seven and started composing when she was eight years old. In 2006 she was granted a scholarship to study at the Purcell School of Music as joint first study composer and pianist. To date, she has written 26 compositions for various combinations of instruments including chamber ensembles, orchestra, piano and choir. Her compositions have been performed in venues including the Royal Albert Hall, Wigmore Hall, St Martin in the Fields and the Southbank Centre. Kristina's numerous awards include the EPTA Composition Competition Overall Cup winner 2009/10 and The Purcell School's Tim Stevenson Award for outstanding young composer 2009 and in 2010 she was one of the winners in the BBC Proms Inspire Young Composer's Competition.

New Year!
With this piece 16-year-old Kristina Arakelyan became one of the winners of the 2010 BBC Proms Inspire Young Composer's Competition. New Year! sets two texts: the anonymous poem Count your blessings and words by the American poet Helen Steiner Rice from her poem Another Chance. Her work explores new beginnings and a new starts, a fitting work to hear on New Year's Day.

More like this: Thomas Adès - The Fayrfax Carol
Arakelyan employs many extended vocal techniques and busy textures in her work, and the influence of avant-garde twentieth-century music is key; nevertheless, the work contains elements of gentle beauty. Thomas Adès also juxtaposes sophisticated modernism with lyricism in The Fayrfax Carol, echoing the conflicting passions of the nativity scene.
More Carols