World-renowned composer and conductor Maestro Loris Tjeknavorian accepted an offer on Friday, Sept. 10 to be the principal conductor and music director of the Glendale Symphony Orchestra 2010. The announcement was made at a gala fundraising event held in his honor on Saturday, Sept. 11 at which over two hundred people gathered. The announcement of his appointment was a surprise to the crowd who gave the news a five-minute standing ovation. The Maestro said of his appointment, “I am both honored and privileged to be conducting the Glendale Symphony Orchestra. This is a wonderful music loving community and it is my hope that they will greatly support this Emmy Award winning orchestra.” Maestro Tjeknavorian is one of the most highly regarded conductors and composers in the world today. He has conducted some of the finest orchestras including the London Symphony, the Vienna Philharmonic and for 11 years he served as the music director of the Armenian Philharmonic.
Lexus of Glendale hosted the event with members of the Glendale Symphony Chamber Orchestra playing under the baton of newly appointed associate conductor Jeffrey Bernstein. After an introduction by Glenn Treibitz, president of the Glendale Symphony Orchestra Association (GSOA), Maestro Tjeknavorian took the podium for the first time as the music director and conducted his composition, “Nostalgia,” which he dedicated to the 9/11 victims and their families.
To commemorate the evening the GSOA gifted all who attended a specially created collector’s edition CD of the Maestro’s music, which he personally signed.