Beatrice Ohanessian

Beatrice Ohanessian (March 15, 1927 – July 17, 2008) was an Iraqi pianist, notable for being Iraq's first concert pianist and first female composer.Combs, Marianne. [http://news.minnesota.publicradio.org/features/2004/01/15_combsm_iraqipianist/ Music in Baghdad: An Iraqi pioneer looks back] . Minnesota Public Radio. Retrieved August 7, 2008.]

Biography

Early life and education

Ohanessian was born in Baghdad in 1927 to a well-to-do Armenian family. Her parents, both survivors of the Armenian Genocide, encouraged her to study music. Ohanessian enrolled in the Institute of Fine Arts, graduating with special mention as a piano major. [http://www.legacy.com/StarTribune/Obituaries.asp?Page=Lifestory&PersonId=113666728 Obituaries] . Star Tribune. Retrieved August 7, 2008.] Upon graduating, she served as an assistant to her Romanian piano professor, Julien Hertz.Boghosian Papas, Lisa. [http://www.agbu.org/publications/article.asp?A_ID=359 Twin Cities' Beatrice Ohanessian: A Famous Pianist and Pioneer of Music] . Armenian General Benevolent Union. Retrieved August 7, 2008.] An Iraqi governmental scholarship allowed her to further her studies at the Royal Academy of Music in London with professor Max Pirani. Four years later, she received her LRAM in piano performance and pedagogy, and a second major in singing. She went on to receive a Fulbright Scholarship to study at the Juilliard School in New York City, which culminated in a debut performance at Carnegie Hall. Her scholarship was then extended for another year, due to the 14 July Revolution in Iraq.

Return to Iraq

While in the United States, Ohanessian visited her brother, Arsham, and his wife in Minnesota. There, she performed with the Minnesota Orchestra and was encouraged to stay in America. But Ohanessian felt a need to be in Iraq.:Everyone told me I should stay in America, but an inner voice told me I should go back to Iraq and teach my fellow countrymen to love music. Classical music was new to penetrate Iraq and it needed people like me there to nurture it.Ohanessian was then appointed head of the piano department at Baghdad's Institute of Fine Arts. During summer breaks, she would participate in Master Classes and musical seminars in various countries. In 1961, she became principal concert pianist for the Iraqi National Symphony Orchestra, a post she held for over thirty years. From 1969 to 1972, she taught simultaneously at the University of Minnesota and Macalester College. In 1980, during the Iraq-Iran War, she wrote the first Iraqi Western composition. Her work came to the attention of Iraqi officials, including president Saddam Hussein. When asked what reward she would like for her achievements, she requested a better piano.Cohen, Ben. [http://www.startribune.com/obituaries/26210884.html Ohanessian was piano prodigy of Iraq, world] . Star Tribune. Retrieved August 8, 2008.] She was presented with a Steinway grand piano, which she left behind as she settled in the United States after the first Gulf War.Klein, Allegra. [http://www.stringsmagazine.com/issues/Strings117/letterfrom.html Mission to Baghdad] . Strings Magazine. Retrieved August 8, 2008.]

Later life and death

In 1994, Ohanessian moved permanently to the United States, settling in Minneapolis-Saint Paul, joining her brother, Arsham, and sister, Sita. She again began teaching at the University of Minnesota, Macalester College, as well as the University of St. Thomas. She served as the organist for the Armenian Apostolic Church of St. Paul. Ohanessian died of cancer on July 17, 2008, in Bloomington, at the age of 81.

References