A romantic afternoon
in shades of the Caucasus

Armenian duo Hakhnazaryan and Tchaidze celebrate Tchaikovsky and Rachmaninov at Salle Pierre-Mercure

March 7, 2026

Pro Musica presents the second concert in the series Cartes blanches – Les Grands Romantiques on Sunday, April 12, at 3 p.m. at Salle Pierre-Mercure in the Centre Pierre-Péladeau in Montreal. This afternoon concert, under the sign of the great Romantic tradition, will feature a talk at 2 pm. hosted by Maurice Rhéaume, followed by a performance by the Armenian duo of cellist Narek Hakhnazaryan and pianist Georgy Tchaidze. Together, they will offer a program in which monuments of the Russian repertoire converse with the luminous colours of music inspired by the Caucasus, paying vibrant homage to their roots.

Narek Hakhnazaryan

Winner of the First Prize and Gold Medal at the 14th International Tchaikovsky Competition at just 22, Narek Hakhnazaryan has established himself as one of the most captivating cellists of his generation. Described as “dazzlingly brilliant” by The Strad and “absolutely magnificent” by the San Francisco Chronicle, he has made highly acclaimed debuts with leading orchestras, including the Los Angeles Philharmonic, for which the Los Angeles Times wrote that “his command of the instrument is extraordinary.” On stage, he stands out for his broad, generous tone, effortless virtuosity, and expressive intensity that brings a fresh listening experience to even the most familiar works in the repertoire.

Georgy Tchaidze

At his side, pianist Georgy Tchaidze, praised by The Telegraph for “a delicate sensitivity and flawlessly refined technique” at his Wigmore Hall debut, proves to be a partner who is both poet and builder of musical form. His playing combines clarity of text, a strong sense of phrasing, and a richly nuanced palette.

Originally from Saint Petersburg and winner of First Prize at the prestigious Honens International Piano Competition in 2009, he has performed throughout Europe, North America and Asia, notably at the Konzerthaus in Berlin, the Glenn Gould Studio in Toronto, the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, the National Centre for the Performing Arts in Beijing, the Oriental Arts Center in Shanghai, and Zankel Hall at Carnegie Hall in New York.

The program has been conceived as a journey into the heart of Russian Romanticism, infused with the distinctive inflections of Armenian and Georgian traditions. The first half shines a special spotlight on Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, whose Nocturne for Cello and Piano, Op. 19 No. 4 (in a transcription by the composer himself) unfolds a melodic line that is both intimate and ardent, followed by the Pezzo capriccioso in B minor, Op. 62, a brilliant, contrasting work in which the cello moves from lyrical ardour to bursts of virtuosity.

The Armenian duo of cellist Narek Hakhnazaryan and pianist Georgy Tchaidze offers a program in which monuments of the Russian repertoire converse with the luminous colours of music inspired by the Caucasus.

The music of Sulkhan Tsintsadze, with his Five Pieces on Folk Themes for Cello and Piano, then plunges the listener into a sound world where traditional Georgian rhythms and melodies intertwine with the refined writing of the 20th century. In these miniatures, the cello sings, dances, whispers and then flares with passion, supported by a piano that is by turns percussive and delicate. This exploration of roots continues with the Nocturne by Edvard Bagdasarian, heard here in a transcription for cello and piano by Narek Hakhnazaryan: a piece imbued with both nostalgia and light, in which Armenian sensitivity surfaces through subtle harmonies.

The Impromptu for Cello and Piano by Alexander Harutyunyan, another major Armenian composer, completes this section devoted to the music of the Caucasus. This work, at once free and tightly structured, provides an ideal field of expression for the duo: the cello’s intensely expressive song finds a powerful echo in the piano writing, creating a close, vibrant dialogue between the two instruments.

In the second half, Sergei Rachmaninov’s Sonata for Cello and Piano in G minor, Op. 19, crowns the evening. A true symphony for two instruments, this emblematic sonata of high Russian Romanticism demands total commitment from the performers, both technically and emotionally. Its four movements, by turns impassioned, meditative and triumphant, reveal the depth of the Hakhnazaryan–Tchaidze duo’s rapport and interpretation, offering them ample space to unfold their musical eloquence.

As part of Pro Musica’s Cartes blanches – Les Grands Romantiques series, this second concert offers Montreal audiences a rare opportunity to hear two leading artists reclaim a repertoire they know intimately, while infusing it with the distinctive flavour of their origins. Moving between 19th‑century Romantic masterpieces and 20th‑century works steeped in folklore, the program weaves a living link between tradition and modernity. The concert will take place on Sunday, April 12, at 3 pm., and will be preceded at 2 p.m. by a talk with Maurice Rhéaume, open to ticket holders subject to seating availability. Music lovers are invited to reserve their seats without delay.