Paul Mnatsakanov
American-Russian-Armenian pianist specializing in classical and baroque music
Pianist. Collaborative pianist. Historical Keyboard player. Repetiteur. Coach. Conductor.
Pianist. Collaborative pianist. Historical Keyboard player. Repetiteur. Coach. Conductor.
My passion lies in performing music of the classical and baroque eras, both on the modern piano and on historical keyboard instruments - the harpsichord, clavichord, fortepiano and organ.
I started out my career as a solo performer, but have expanded my expertise to collaborating with singers, now shifting my focus towards opera, coaching and conducting as I begin my time at the National Opera Studio as a Young Artist for the 2026-2027 season.
Why music?
Music, as a universal language of sound, conveys thoughts, stories, experiences and emotions.
Every piece of music to me, whether instrumental or vocal, is an expression of what it means to live and be part of our universe, and this is what I strive to convey through my performances.
One of my favorite operas to work on and explore is Mozart’s Don Giovanni. Here fabulous Scottish soprano Emily Wishart and I are performing Zerlina’s aria “Vedrai carino” from Act 2
Frescobaldi. Louis and François Couperin. English Virginalists. J. S. Bach. Mozart. Beethoven. Schubert.
Frescobaldi. Louis and François Couperin. English Virginalists. J. S. Bach. Mozart. Beethoven. Schubert.
When I was deciding what I wanted to study for my Bachelor’s, I chose to learn historical performance practice on historical keyboard instruments alongside modern piano to gain a much more in-depth understanding of the performance traditions, the capabilities of each type of instrument, and the concept of style than most pianists are usually taught to be able to do justice to all that incredible music I love. Not only can I now play this repertoire on the instruments for which it was written and conceived, but I can also take it to the modern piano and create a rendition that is historically accurate, creative and thought-provoking.
Bridging the gap between historical performance and a modern audience
My artistic mission is to share with the audiences, musicians and singers of today a vision of classical and baroque music that is, on the one hand, historically informed and well-researched, and on the other, full of energy, lightness, creativity, humor and passion!