Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and his wife Anna Hakobyan, President of the Republic of Armenia Vahagn Khachaturian and ESCS Minister Zhanna Andreasyan attended the gala concert dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the National Philharmonic Orchestra of Armenia, which opened a series of jubilee concerts.

The special guest of the concert was world-renowned pianist Yuja Wang: she performed under the direction of Eduard Topchyan.

ESCS Minister Zhanna Andreasyan delivered a welcoming speech: “Today is a significant milestone in the cultural life of Armenia: we celebrate the centennial of the foundation of the Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra. As a full member of the International Musical Family, we have been communicating with the masterpieces of musical culture through the Philharmonic, constantly mastering the standards of classicism and confirming our commitment to the dissemination of world music and national compositional art for 100 years now. Accordingly, the National Philharmonic Orchestra of Armenia is an indicator of our civilization, which has been operating for 100 years with high professional standards and responsibility, with unwavering commitment to classical values. And this course of the orchestra has been a historical one with ups and downs, but always with renewed faith and optimism.

We pay our respects to all the remarkable names of the past, whether a conductor or a performer, a statesman or an educator, who have devoted their lives and work to the foundation and advancement of the Philharmonic Orchestra. However, the glorious past is not merely a pretext for remembrance, but also a basis for inspiration and responsibility in our times. And today, we can proudly state that the Philharmonic Orchestra is still committed to its mission of mastering and promoting world classical music. Under the direction of Maestro Topchyan, the orchestra performs almost every year in various leading concert halls of the world. Internationally renowned conductors and performers travel to Armenia and perform in joint concerts.

We cannot fail to mention the extensive reforms implemented by the administration, which facilitate a favourable environment for the music-loving public and the expansion of international cooperation. Needless to say, all these initiatives are implemented primarily with state support, which will continue throughout the jubilee year.

Congratulating all of us on this anniversary, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to all members of the orchestra, service and administrative personnel, partners and sponsors, as well as the members of the Government Anniversary Committee for their devoted work. I wish the Philharmonic Orchestra boundless inspiration, a rich creative journey, and a glorious path into the centuries to come.”

Yuja Wang performed Sergei Prokofiev's Piano Concerto No. 2, and in the second section the orchestra performed Aram Khachaturian's Symphony No. 2 (“With Bells”). Throughout the year, concerts with other celebrated musicians and conductors are planned, as well as tours in the regions and abroad.