Cellist Suren Bagratuni has released a new recording, Brahms Three Sonatas for Cello and Piano, showcasing his long-standing connection with the composer’s music.
The album features all three of Brahms’ sonatas for cello and piano, including the transcription of Brahms’ Violin Sonata No. 1, Op. 78, for cello. Bagratuni recorded the album with accomplished Armenian pianist Hrant Bagrazyan, bringing together their exceptional musicianship for this release.
“It’s been a while since I wanted to record Brahms’ Sonatas, and happy also to include composer’s Op.78 violin Sonata’s transcription for cello,” said Bagratuni. “This music has been with me almost all my life through school, Conservatory, multiple competitions, and numerous performances. To record all three together has been a matter of time.”
A distinguished cellist and professor at the Michigan State University College of Music, Bagratuni has enjoyed an extensive international career. He first gained recognition as a teenager, winning multiple competitions in Armenia and the former Soviet Union, including the prestigious Silver Medal at the 1986 International Tchaikovsky Competition while still a student at the Moscow Conservatory. He later continued his studies in the United States at the New England Conservatory of Music, where he also served on the faculty before joining Michigan State University.
Bagratuni has performed as a soloist with major orchestras worldwide, including the Moscow Philharmonic under Valery Gergiev, as well as the Stuttgart and Württemberg Chamber Orchestras, and the national philharmonic orchestras of Hungary, Slovenia, Bulgaria, and Armenia. His chamber music appearances have taken him to major festivals such as the Newport Music Festival, the Russian Winter Festival in Moscow, and international festivals across Europe, Asia, and the Americas.
“It was especially enjoyable to work and record Sonatas with the talented Hrant Bagrazyan, an accomplished pianist and wonderful musician,” said Bagratuni.
Bagrazyan, who completed his Doctor of Musical Arts degree in performance at MSU in 2022, is an Armenian pianist with an impressive career as both a soloist and chamber musician. He has performed in renowned venues such as Carnegie Hall in New York and Aula Nova Hall in Poland and has appeared as a soloist with major symphony orchestras. This is his second album recorded with Bagratuni. The pair teamed up for Songs of My Childhood released in 2020.
Bagratuni’s recording career spans multiple decades, and his past recordings have featured solo works for cello, the Bach cello suites, and sonatas by Beethoven, Debussy, Rachmaninoff, Prokofiev, and Shostakovich. His latest album continues his tradition of bringing great depth and artistry to the cello repertoire.
In addition to his performing career, Bagratuni maintains a busy teaching schedule at MSU and serving as Chair of the String Area. He is also the artistic director of the Cello Plus Festival. Sponsored by Ken and Sandy Beall, the annual event has taken place for more than two decades and features Bagratuni and incredible special guests for three concerts in one week. Bagratuni is also invited frequently to present master classes at leading music institutions worldwide, including the New England Conservatory, Peabody Conservatory, and the Cleveland Institute of Music.
Born in Yerevan, Armenia, Bagratuni began playing the cello at age seven and gave his first concerto performance at fourteen. He has been a leading figure in the international music scene for decades, known for his expressive playing and deep interpretations. His latest recording of Brahms’ sonatas adds another milestone to his remarkable career, offering listeners a profound and beautifully executed rendition of these beloved works.
Brahms Three Sonatas for Cello and Piano is available now on major streaming platforms, bringing Bagratuni’s lifelong connection with Brahms’ music to audiences around the world.
