The turning point in the life of the Armenian child prodigy pianist and arranger Robert Andriasyan (1913–1971) came at age twelve, when he was inspired after meeting the Dutch-American pianist Egon Petri, who had performed in Tbilisi while on tour. Petri was one of the twentieth century’s most distinguished pianists and a pupil of the legendary Busoni. For the rest of his life, Andriasyan cherished the memory of that encounter and kept a photograph inscribed: “To the highly gifted little Robert Andriasyan, with best wishes for the future. Tiflis, May 19, 1925. Egon Petri.”

The inspiring power of art, human encouragement, and cross-national connections is celebrated in this program, which brings together six songs by the legendary Armenian composer, scholar, and spiritual figure Komitas, arranged for piano by Robert Andriasyan, and Bach’s “Sheep May Safely Graze” (from Cantata BWV 208), arranged for piano by Petri. This very piece by Bach appeared on Petri’s program at his Tbilisi concert in May 1925.