Concerto for Cello
Composed in 1988, Tjeknavorian’s “Concerto for Cello and Orchestra" was dedicated to the memory of the composer's friend, painter and poet
Artur Ter-Harutyunyan. The first performance was given by the Armenian Philharmonic in Yerevan, Armenia, in 1998 (Alexander Chaushyan, cello). It was recorded in the same year by the Armenian Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by the composer. A version with solo cello, strings and piano also exists. The thematic materials are based on the Armenian secular and sacred music.
Concerto for Guitar
Composed in New York, in 1988, Tjeknavorian’s Guitar Concerto was dedicated to his son Zareh, as a present for his 18th birthday. It was premiered by guitarist Pepe Romero and the Nebraska Chamber Orchestra, in Omaha, Nebraska conducted by Bruce Ferden. The first European performance was telecast on Austrian ORF TV, in 1991, with the Armenian Philharmonic Orchestra (Iakovos Kolanian, guitar). A recording was made in the same year, in Yerevan, Armenia, by the Armenian Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by the composer. The thematic materials are based on Armenian secular and sacred music. The principal theme in both guitar and cello concerti was derived from the same Armenian folk song.