:Draft:Sergey Smbatyan
{{Short description|Armenian classical music conductor}}
Sergey Smbatyan (born 23 September 1987) is an Armenian conductor. He is the founding Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of the Armenian State Symphony Orchestra,{{Cite web|url=https://dornmusic.com/sergey-smbatyan/|title=Sergey Smbatyan – Dorn Music|access-date=2025-04-15}} Principal Conductor of the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra,{{Cite web|url=https://newyorkclassicalreview.com/2018/12/malta-philharmonic-makes-an-impressive-showing-in-mixed-program/|title=Malta Philharmonic makes an impressive showing|website=New York Classical Review|access-date=2025-04-15}} and the Artistic Director of the Khachaturian International Competition.
At the age of 28, Smbatyan received the title of Chevalier of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, awarded by the Minister of Culture and Communication of France.{{Cite news|url=https://www.armradio.am/en/2015/09/14/sergey-smbatyan-awarded-order-of-arts-and-letters/|title=Sergey Smbatyan awarded Order of Arts and Letters|work=Public Radio of Armenia|date=2015-09-14|access-date=2025-04-15}} In 2016 he was awarded the title of Honoured Artist of the Republic of Armenia.{{Cite web|url=https://armenpress.am/eng/news/843955.html|title=Sergey Smbatyan awarded Honoured Artist title|website=Armenpress|date=2016-01-15|access-date=2025-04-15}}
Career
Smbatyan has led concerts with the Armenian State Symphony and Malta Philharmonic Orchestras throughout Europe and the United States. Notable venues include:
- [Carnegie Hall](https://www.carnegiehall.org/Calendar/2024/06/27/Armenian-State-Symphony-Orchestra-0800PM) (New York)
- [Symphony Hall Boston](https://www.bso.org/events/armenian-state-symphony-orchestra-2024) (Boston)
- [Walt Disney Concert Hall](https://us.armsymphony.am/ustour2024/) (Los Angeles)
- [Barbican Centre](https://www.barbican.org.uk/whats-on/2020/event/armenian-state-symphony-orchestra) (London)
He has collaborated with many international orchestras:
- Armenian State Symphony Orchestra — founder and conductor.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bso.org/events/armenian-state-symphony-orchestra-2024|title=Boston Symphony Orchestra – ASSO concert|access-date=2025-04-15}}
- Malta Philharmonic Orchestra — principal conductor since 2019.{{Cite web|url=https://maltaorchestra.com/events/season-opening-concert-2/|title=Season Opening Concert – Malta Philharmonic Orchestra|access-date=2025-04-15}}
- Romanian National Philharmonic — featured in collaboration with Maxim Vengerov.{{Cite news |last=Service |first=Tom |title=Romanian National Philharmonic, Smbatyan review – Vengerov’s virtuosity raises the temperature |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2022/dec/06/romanian-national-philharmonic-orchsmbatyan-review-vengerovs-virtuoisty-raises-the-temperature |work=The Guardian |date=6 December 2022 |access-date=2025-04-15}}
Reception
The Guardian praised his performance with the Romanian National Philharmonic.{{Cite news |last=Service |first=Tom |title=Romanian National Philharmonic, Smbatyan review – Vengerov’s virtuosity raises the temperature |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2022/dec/06/romanian-national-philharmonic-orchsmbatyan-review-vengerovs-virtuoisty-raises-the-temperature |work=The Guardian |date=6 December 2022 |access-date=2025-04-15}}
The Times noted his interpretation of Ravel and Bruch.{{Cite news |title=Armenian SSO, Smbatyan review – Ravel sultry but Bruch lacking in heart |url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/armenian-sso-smbatyan-review-ravel-sultry-but-bruch-lacking-in-heart-r7tzx9lxq |work=The Times |access-date=2025-04-15}}
New York Classical Review called his concert “an impressive showing”.{{Cite web |title=Malta Philharmonic makes an impressive showing in mixed program |url=https://newyorkclassicalreview.com/2018/12/malta-philharmonic-makes-an-impressive-showing-in-mixed-program |website=New York Classical Review |access-date=2025-04-15}}
The Violin Channel announced the appointment of a new Principal Guest Conductor of the Berlin Symphony Orchestra.{{Cite web |title=Berlin Symphony Orchestra Hires New Principal Guest Conductor |url=https://theviolinchannel.com/berlin-symphony-orchestra-hires-new-principal-guest-conductor/ |website=The Violin Channel |access-date=2025-05-16}}
Euronews covered the International Music Festival in Armenia, highlighting the cultural celebration.{{Cite web |title=Armenia celebrates its culture with its international music festival |url=https://www.euronews.com/culture/2023/10/18/armenia-celebrates-its-culture-with-its-international-music-festival/ |website=Euronews |date=2023-10-18 |access-date=2025-05-16}}
Selected recordings
- Images from the Great Siege & Verdiana (2020, with London Symphony Orchestra){{Cite web|title=Review of Shor: Images from the Great Siege |url=https://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2020/Dec/Shor-Images-8579061.htm |website=MusicWeb International |access-date=2025-04-15}}