“This recording is dedicated to a hidden gem of Armenian piano music—Poem by Sargis Barkhudarian (1921). Unfortunately, this piece has not found a place in pianists’ repertoires, despite having all the prerequisites for wide recognition. 

Sargis Barkhudarian was a pioneer of Armenian classical music. He left a remarkable legacy that has been overlooked by both professionals and students; yet his works were acclaimed by renowned musicians such as Alexander Spendiarian, Alexander Glazunov, Leonid Nikolayev, Jāzeps Vītols, and Nikolai Tcherepnin. 

This piece was recorded only once—over 70 years ago, in 1958, by Ketti Malkhasian—and has since fallen into obscurity. By sharing Barkhudarian’s Poem with a broader audience, I hope to encourage musicians to rediscover it among the other forgotten gems of Armenian music.”

— Suren Babayan, piano