The young talent: Dmitry Iskhanov

On the first day of spring, a special concert was held at the Aram Khachaturian Concert Hall, dedicated to the 255th anniversary of the birth of German composer, pianist, and conductor Ludwig van Beethoven — the final representative of the Viennese Classical School. Beethoven is one of the central figures in classical music and remains among the most frequently performed composers worldwide. He composed in every major genre of his time, including opera, theatrical music, and choral works. However, the most significant part of his legacy lies in his instrumental compositions — piano, violin, and cello sonatas; concertos for violin and piano; string quartets; and symphonies.

At the festive evening titled “Fate Knocking at the Door,” the Armenian State Symphony Orchestra, under the baton of conductor Sergey Smbatyan, performed two of the most iconic and beloved works in classical music—Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5, famously known as the “The Fate Symphony,” and his Piano Concerto No. 5, the “Emperor.” Joining the orchestra as the soloist was the young and talented pianist, Dmitry Ishkhanov, a laureate of numerous international competitions. But more on him a little later.

Beethoven spent nearly four years composing his 5th Symphony. It premiered in 1808 in Vienna under the composer’s own baton and quickly earned widespread acclaim. It’s no wonder that German writer, composer, and fairytale author Hoffmann called it “one of the most significant works of the era.” 

Before the concert, conductor Sergey Smbatyan reflected on Beethoven’s work, sharing that the 5th Symphony holds special meaning for him. “It’s full of emotion and carries a powerful cosmic energy,” he said. Smbatyan has conducted the symphony many times across the globe with various orchestras, but this marked the first time he presented it with the Armenian State Symphony Orchestra. “It’s impossible not to love Beethoven,” Smbatyan added—and it’s hard to disagree. The full house that evening stood as a clear testament to that sentiment. He went on to say that Beethoven’s music gives people tremendous strength and energy, with the power to transform the way we experience classical music.

The audience warmly embraced the performance of Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 5, delivered with remarkable mastery by pianist Dmitry Ishkhanov. For the 19-year-old virtuoso, performing in Armenia was both an emotional and meaningful experience. As he shared on his Facebook page, it was a “great honor.” Despite his young age, Dima has already built an impressive international reputation. He has performed in numerous countries, participated in festivals and competitions, earned first prizes, and received top awards. Back in 2016, Dima, at the age of 11, represented Malta in the Eurovision Young Musicians competition, becoming the youngest ever finalist. 

In 2021, Dmitry Ishkhanov released his debut album titled “Virtuoso” with Parma Recordings, featuring works by Chopin. Over the years, he has performed on some of the world’s most prestigious stages, including the Beethoven House in Bonn, the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, the Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg, the Tonhalle in Zurich, the Kennedy Center in Washington, and of course, Carnegie Hall in New York. From a young age, Dima was often referred to as a “child prodigy.” Today, the young pianist is already a seasoned performer, with professional skills and years of experience to his name. Following a stunning performance at the Lucerne Festival in 2017, the Luzerner Zeitung wrote of him: “Evgeny Kissin, Grigory Sokolov—your successor is coming…”

I first met the Ishkhanov family—and little Dima—when he was just six years old. They had traveled to Yerevan to take part in the “New Names” International Festival for Young Musicians and Performers. It was then that the small boy, whose feet could barely reach the piano pedals, caught my attention. And during the festival, his musical talent captivated not only the audience but also the professional musicians in attendance. Dmitry returned to the same festival the following year. For two consecutive years, he was granted the honor of opening the event—a distinction rarely given to someone so young.

The Ishkhanov family originally lived in Baku. After the well-known tragic events, they were forced to relocate to Moscow, where the young pianist was born. When Dima was three years old, the family moved once again—this time to Malta. In Moscow, Dima’s nanny, Violeta Mayilyan, happened to be a music teacher. She was the one who planted in him a deep love for music. While most children fall asleep to lullabies, Dima would drift off to classical music—or sometimes even to the Armenian song “Ov sirun, sirun.” As he grew older, his passion for the works of Beethoven, Mozart, and other composers only deepened.

At the age of three, Dima received his first piano, and under the guidance of his nanny, began learning musical notes. By four and a half, he was already attending piano and music theory classes. He began studying music seriously at the age of five through the British ABRSM (Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music) system. At just eight years old, he was accepted into the “Hochschule für Musik und Tanz Köln” in Cologne, becoming the youngest student in the institution’s history. At the same time, he attended both the Humboldt Gymnasium in Cologne and a secondary school in Malta.

Throughout his journey, Dima has taken masterclasses with renowned pianists, including Antonio Di Cristofano, Artistic Director of the “Palmiero Giannetti” Music Institute in Grosseto. The young musician has visited Armenia several times. In addition to his performances at the “New Names” festival, he also participated in a concert dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the great Armenian composer Edvard Mirzoyan. Notably, Dima was baptized in Etchmiadzin.

When it comes to composers, Dmitry Ishkhanov has a clear preference for Western European classics. In his view, Chopin composes from the heart, while Beethoven writes for the mind, as his music is rich with logic and structure. Playing Liszt, he says, is a pleasure for the fingers, and Bach offers boundless room for improvisation. He also holds a deep appreciation for Shostakovich, whom he considers “a fascinating composer.” However, Dmitry remains somewhat reserved toward contemporary composers. He feels that many of their works do not have musical substance and believes it will take time for him to explore and fully understand them.

Dima has also added works by Armenian composers to his repertoire, including Arno Babajanyan’s Elegy and one of Aram Khachaturian’s piano sonatas. Constantly striving to improve, the young pianist continues to advance with confidence and dedication.

Yelena Galoyan

P.S. This article began with a tribute to Beethoven’s musical legacy, and I’d like to end with an interesting fact about him as well: there are nearly 100 monuments dedicated to the great composer around the world.