Press Quotes

Augsburger Allgemeine Zeitung, 2014

… With a crystalline temperament, the orchestra, inspired by its omnipresent conductor, steered Mozart’s last symphony to concertante Olympus. How… the Armenian Gazarian integrated the pulsating fugato of the “Allegro molto” into the well-awakened overall sound is a mastery of dynamic arrangement, whose vibrancy is boundless… The oscillating construction (of Bartók’s „Music for Strings, Percussion and Ce­les­ta“) is simply made for Gazarian and his splendid orchestra, which rendered an unforgettable evening for the audience.

Badische Zeitung, Dorothee Philipp, 2014

… The Wurt­tem­ber­g Chamber Orchestra Heil­bronn with its principal conductor Ruben Ga­za­ri­an brought, along with consummate musical treat, a malleable sound culture and its fresh though emotional style of playing as well as orchestral fullness … Gazarian is likened to the soul of this orchestra, at times it appears as if he plays the orchestra like an instrument, every so often the baton becomes an imaginary violin bow.

Heilbronner Stimme, Theophil Hammer, 2014

„…In the exemplary rendering of Shostakovich’s Symphony performed by Ruben Gazarian and the WCO, one could experience the full content of the three-quarter hour work. …with the upmost concentration, the audience listened attentively to the not easily digestible fare. …Here with Schubert’s „Death and the Maiden“, as well as with Shosta­ko­vich, the WCO presents itself as an orchestra with considerable potentialities: Ambitious, concentrated and with a beautiful sound. Gazarian, conducting by heart, and his ensemble travelled through this piece on its own native terrain and was delightful in its unrestricted approach and mix of blossoming melody and dramatic concentration.”

Donaukurier, Jesko Schulze-Reimpell, 2014

Ruben Gazarian, artistic director designate of the Georgisches Kammerorchester, achieved a musical magic moment in the Ingolstadt Festsaal. One has rarely heard these melodies, ragged by rests, performed with such delicacy and precision … The Georgians played this music as if playing for their lives, with great depth and, at the same time, in perfect harmony. In these moments at the latest, it became clear what a magnificent conductor the orchestra has been able to contract from 2015. … The Armenian almost exclusively used timbres and achieved sensual warmth in the strings that distantly reminded of Karajan … In the Tchaikovsky, Gazarian showed, above all, a sense of rhythm and timing. The proportions between the various sections of the movements were exactly tuned to each other, no rest was too long, and even the transitions between the movements were charged with meaning.
Obviously, Gazarian is working untiringly and meticulously with his orchestras.

Heilbronner Stimme, Uwe Grosser, 2014

The WKO approached Tchaikovsky’s Symphony Nr 4 with tremendous gusto and yet with precision and enormous expressivity. Gazarian was in his element and led the orchestra through this emotionally compelling work with strong gestures. A great achievement.

Hannoversche Allgemeine Zeitung, Stefan Arndt, 2013

With Sharon Kam, Clarinet

… At the same time, the symphony represented the concert as a whole perfectly. Under the extraordinary sensitive direction of its Armenian conductor Ruben Gazarian, the orchestra told a story in tones: Boccherini’s Symphony in D minor „La casa del Diavolo“ as musical theatre without words

Hamburger Abendblatt, Hans-Jürgen Fink, 2013

With Christine Schäfer, Soprano

A concert like pure joy

Seldom are concerts so perfect that pure joy pervades the concert hall. The Pro-Arte evening with soprano Christine Schäfer and the Württemberg Chamber Orchestra under Ruben Gazarian in the Laieszhalle was one of these rare and precious moments…. the intelligent accompaniment by the orchestra under principal conductor Ruben Gazarian was remarkable … it breathed with the singer, employed sharp accents, savoured the lyrical moments with her. In sum, a superlative experience.

Das Orchester, Monika Alexandra Köhler, 2013

The decision to perform Humperdinck’s Hänsel and Gretel proved to be an excellent choice. The evening in Heilbronn’s Harmonie concert hall was a huge success, crowned by applause that didn’t want to end and numerous bravos… Under Gazarian, whose delight in shaping the musical interpretation was palpable, the Württemberg Chamber Orchestra proved to be collaborators with a particularly fine feeling for changes in mood and atmosphere. In the unleashed ecstasy of the final chords, the musicians rose from their seats…a brilliant beginning to the New Year.

Donaukurier, Christoph Fiedler, 2013

With the Georgian Chamber Orchestra Ingolstadt Ruben Gazarian has added a new gem to his string of pearls…

Heilbronner Stimme, Uwe Grosser, 2012

CD review Schubert Symphonies No. 7 and 8, Bayer Records

The magnificent interpretation, both sensitive and exciting, coupled with the exceptional musical enthusiasm of the musicians, make this an outstanding recording.

Westdeutsche Allgemeine Zeitung, 2012

With Andreas Grau and Götz Schumacher, Piano

The “Russian soul“ of the first half of the concert was followed by “French esprit“ in the second, in an outstanding performance by the Württemberg Chamber Orchestra, urged on by the pointed leadership of Ruben Gazarian.

Badisches Tagblatt, Udo Barth, 2011

It is a pleasure to watch this conductor at work … in this ideal interpretation, the conductor becomes an architect. In the final Passacaglia, Gazarian puts his foot down on the gas pedal, breathtakingly leading the work to its spectacular climax.

Neue Luzerner Zeitung, 2010

With Elisabeth Leonskaja, Piano

Under Ruben Gazarian the chamber orchestra proved to be an engaged dialogue partner. In the three Beethoven overtures Gazarian used the small ensemble to create theatrical effects from stark contrasts rather than from unlimited power.

Frankfurter Neue Presse, Michael Dellith, 2010

Gazarian has stood at the helm of the Württemberg Chamber Orchestra since 2002. His temperament and sensitivity made this final concert in the Renaissance Court an extraordinary musical event… There is no question: with this ensemble and this conductor, the future of the Weilburger Schlosskonzerte Music Festival is secure.

Wiesbadener Kurier, 2009

It was already clear in Mendelssohn’s Hebrides Overture that Gazarian had found common ground with Hessen’s state orchestra in the short time available: his conducting technique was precise, but not inflexible. Debussy’s La mer also profited from his style: Gazarian did not search for dynamic extremes but concentrated more on the fine tuning of timbres and sound colours; he mastered the rhythmic challenges of the score precisely and inconspicuously…at the end he was greeted with strong applause.

Das Orchester, Walter Schnekenburger, 2009

CD Review Shostakovich Chamber Symphonies op. 110a & 118a, Bayer Records

Since the Armenian violinist and conductor Ruben Gazarian took over the Württemberg Chamber Orchestra in 2002 he has developed the sound of the string ensemble according to his own intentions. Starting with a strong, rich bass foundation, he achieves a finely calibrated, never-too-heavy string sound, which also profits from the quality of the well-chosen section leaders.

Stuttgarter Zeitung, Frank Ebert, 2008

With Reinhold Friedrich, Trumpet

Performances on the highest level – both the choice of repertoire and the performers were masterful.

The Orchestra and Ruben Gazarian celebrated the musical competition with dancing lightness and graceful elegance … the presentation on both evenings deserves special praise.

Ludwigsburger Kreiszeitung, Franz Gerhard von Aichberger, 2008

With Julia Fischer, Violin

Under Ruben Gazarian’s dynamic leadership all the orchestra sections were inspired to perform at their highest level and were justly rewarded by the gratitude of the audience and their conductor. This evening was a highlight of this year’s festival. Bravo!

Die Welt, 2008

In Tchaikovsky’s Serenade for Strings in C major the young maestro Ruben Gazarian used the tremendous strengths of his chamber orchestra to full effect. With radiance, energy and drive he welded the taut strings into a dynamic, interactive cosmos of sound. He shaped contrasts elegantly, creating a colour palette mixed with soft and softest sounds full of delicate, airy magic.