Edmond Emil Agopian

Biography

A violin graduate of the Juilliard School and the University of Toronto, Edmond Agopian began his studies in his native Romania. In 1991, he relinquished his post at Acadia University to take up positions as Professor of Violin and Conductor at the University of Calgary, and Artist-in-Residence at Mount Royal Conservatory. He was appointed Music Director of the Calgary Youth Orchestra in 2002.

He has been awarded the Calgary Arts Award, and the Alberta Centennial Medal “in recognition of outstanding achievement and service to the people and province of Alberta”. At the University of Calgary, he was awarded the John Peter Lee Roberts Distinguished Professorship in Fine Arts.

As a violinist, he has been featured on regional and national CBC, French and English radio programs, Radio Europa, and as soloist with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra. He is First Violin of the University of Calgary String Quartet in Residence, whose recording on the American label MSR Classics has received enthusiastic reviews from radio broadcasters and magazines, including Fanfare Magazine (USA).

Conducting work has included performances with the Canadian Chamber Orchestra (conductor and concertmaster), the Shanghai Opera Orchestra, the National Arts Centre Orchestra, the Polish Baltic Philharmonic Orchestra, and conductor and soloist with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra. His Sundogs CD recording with the University of Calgary Orchestra, of Canadian orchestral music, was described by one critic as a "hands-down winner". Under his direction, the Calgary Youth Orchestra has toured, France, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Austria, Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic and New Zealand.

For thirteen seasons he was Music Director/Concertmaster of Calgary’s professional string orchestra, the Kensington Sinfonia and for twenty years he was on the faculty of the Morningside Music Bridge International Music Festival at Mount Royal University Conservatory, in Beijing, Shanghai, and Gdansk, Poland. 

His violin method The No Time to Practice Technique Companion has been on the SHAR Music Company’s Bestseller List since 2002 and has been positively reviewed in the American String Teacher magazine. His students have won local, national and international awards, including the Rose Bowl – Calgary Performing Arts Festival, and are members of major orchestras, including four violinists in the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra.

Edmond Agopian’s performances have received numerous accolades, including:

“…He not only revealed the great charm of the work [Bruch–Violin Concerto in G minor] but his own musical integrity as well.”– Chronicle-Herald, Halifax

”His performance was a triumph both of technique and integration...” – Toronto Star

 “…dramatic heart-felt playing…His pitch and tone were immaculate…”– Calgary Herald

“…exuberant playing....” – New Zealand Herald

“ …The connection between the movements, the musical emphasis, the dynamic control of impeccable resolution, and the precise rhythmic beat, flavored with a good dramatic tempo, made this piece a pleasure…The music was played with such sincere enthusiasm that it generated a rush felt by all.” – La Opinion de Granada, Granada, Spain

 “…What left me amazed were the klezmer and folk music arrangements; such exciting music…”– Radiodifusao Portuguesa

"...performed here with affectionate understanding... This is music of deep-seated humanity, at times incredibly vivacious, almost frenzied in its headlong dash through constantly accelerating tempos, or else floridly sentimental, sorrowful, or nostalgic. I was grinning from ear to ear with sheer pleasure by the end [of the disc]."

-Fanfare Magazine, USA

“Imaginative interpretation...nicely pulled off…the orchestra plays to the fullest, with enthusiasm and energy…”– Sound Advice, CBC Radio

“Spontaneous applause greets violinist’s efforts… There is a certain tingling of the spine, a tightening of the flesh and a rush of euphoria when one finds oneself present at a really splendid performance. These happenings are rare and precious, and are counted as jewels in a music lover’s experience. Edmond Agopian’s appearance as violin soloist with the P.E.I. Symphony was one such moment – a meld of virtuoso performance and a special empathy with the orchestra… Mr. Agopian’s instrument produced a beautiful sound, a mellow sweetness of tone that was a delight to listen to. …Even the highest and thinnest of notes played by Mr. Agopian were clear and firm. “ –The Guardian, Charlottetown

 “…dynamite fiddler… “– Penguin Eggs–Canada’s Folk, Roots and World Music Magazine

“The group, conducted by concertmaster Edmond Agopian played with requisite grace.” – Edmonton Journal

“One of the best recordings of the year…” –Off the Record, CBC Radio

 “… a warm inner glow passed through me at the conclusion of the performance”–Calgary Herald

 “…Kensington Sinfonia excelled, the strings sounding warm and the ensemble crisp and beautifully balanced.”–  Calgary Herald

“Top chamber musicians Agopian, Stephens give brilliant recital… one of the finest duo recitals of this or any other season…fine form, mature musicality, and brilliant style…Agopian leaves nothing to chance, whether he is ripping into the violently asymmetrical rhythms and fingerboard acrobatics…or warmly overpainting the lyrical line… he planned the program with the same kind of thoughtful attention to detail… To each of these pieces Agopian brought a different style and an uncommonly clear delineation of character…The rich timbre and bullseye intonation…did not force any slackening of tempo…the playing was a powerful tour-de-force.” –The Mail-Star, Halifax

“But more than just colleagues, these four seem to be musical soul mates. They balance, blend and interweave perfectly whether playing Mozart or Shostakovich…the quartet’s performance of Dmitri Shostakovich’s string quartet was the highlight of the concert. Each instrument took turns in the spotlight, with breath taking perfection. They created beauty out of its excessive violence and despair, making this truly a song of mourning for a world gone mad with war” Daily Courier – The Arts Scene, Kelowna

“…The challenging program… produced disciplined playing of a high order. More than that, the orchestra has learned how to sing. From the first note to the last they captured the symphonic sound, a sound which focuses the ear on musical line and design… One breakthrough they have made under conductor Edmond Agopian is in learning how to play softly. Their dynamic range was elastic, giving the phrases sculptural depth as well as linear tension… Agopian took over the orchestra only last fall, but has already helped them to develop confidence and character. They played last night as though they understood very note in the score… the whole music of the score is present in every bar…” The Mail Star, Halifax

“Classical series ends with great European evening…Agopian’s opening notes on the violin displayed one of his great talents: perfect control of pitch, which he kept up all evening…” The Fitzhugh, Jasper

“The University of Calgary Orchestra’s inaugural CD is a hands-down winner…The twelve programmatic orchestral pieces contained on Sundogs are as engaging to the mind’s eye as they are to the ear…the young members of the University of Calgary Orchestra, under conductor Edmond Agopian’s expert hand, project exuberance and freshness in their playing; the music springs to life in a way that fully supports the growing notion amongst concert audiences that Canadian classical music is indeed a force to be reckoned with – and enjoyed.”–Fast Forward, Calgary

”…original exercises that keep your physical and mental skills sharp…”­­–American String Teacher

“Best in Music…Edmond Agopian: Violin soloist and chamber player, conductor and teacher, has been a mainstay of the Calgary classical music scene since 1991…”–Calgary Herald

“Conductor Agopian takes Sinfonia in a new direction”–Calgary Herald

 “…romantic violin fantasy so ably spun by soloist Edmond Agopian.”–Calgary Herald

“Prominent violinist, teacher and popular Calgary Youth Orchestra conductor...” –Calgary Herald