Manookian, Jeff

Jeff Manookian

Prize winner composer of the ICC “The contemporary piano 2018”
for his work for piano 4 hands “Images of Armenia” 

Manookian’s compositions have been performed on every continent (with the exception of Antarctica). His works have been performed by such outstanding orchestras as the Simon Bolivar Symphony Orchestra (Venezuela), Smolensk Chamber Orchestra (Russia), National Radio Orchestra of the Czech Republic, Guiyang Symphony Orchestra (China), National Symphony of Chile, Armenian National Philharmonic, Armenian National Opera Orchestra and Choir, Utah Symphony (USA), Kiev Classic Orchestra (Ukraine), Querétaro Philharmonic Orchestra (México), San Juan Symphony (Argentina), Chamber Orchestra of Mérida (México), Cantaduva Symphony (Brazil), Serenade Chamber Orchestra (Armenia), Lira Chamber Orchestra (Portugal), UAM Chamber Orchestra (Poland), Moncada Chamber Orchestra (Spain), Foggia String Orchestra (Italy), Southerland Shire Symphony (Australia), Stellenbosch Festival Orchestra (South Africa), Catanduva Symphony (Brazil), Bogotá Philharmonic Youth Chamber Orchestra (Colombia), American West Symphony (USA), and others.

Manookian is currently Composer in Residence of the Tucumán Orchestra (Argentina).

He has garnered important international prizes for his works as First Place in the International Composition Competition of the World Piano Teachers Association, Grand Prize of the Frederick Delius Composition Competition, the Columbia Orchestra American Composers Competition, First Prize Composers Guild Contest, commissions from the Barlow Endowment, Utah Symphony/Utah Arts Festival (USA), Intermezzo Chamber Festival, Abramian String Quartet, and other ensembles and orchestras. His compositions have been published by Warner Brothers Publications and CPP/Belwin, and have been commercially recorded by Albany Records, 4-Tay, MMC, Azica, and Tantara Records.

As a conductor, Manookian has stood as Music Director of the Tucumán Orchestra (Argentina), Intermountain Classical Orchestra (USA), Summer-Arts Orchestra (USA), Westminter Chamber Orchestra (USA), Utah Youth Symphony (USA), and served as Artistic Director of the Oratorio Society of Utah (USA). He has guest conducted the National Symphony Orchestra of Chile, Buenos Aires Philharmonic (Argentina), Pasadena Symphony California (USA), Armenian Philharmonic Orchestra, Orchestra and Chorus of the National Armenian Opera, Serenade Chamber Orchestra (Armenia), Opal Sinfonietta (France), Symphony Orchestra of Bahia Blanca (Argentina), San Juan Symphony Orchestra (Argentina), Chamber Orchestra of Mérida (Mexico), Las Vegas Musical Society Orchestra (USA), Ruby Mountain Symphony (USA), Salt Lake Symphony (USA), American West Symphony (USA), Murray Symphony (USA), Nachtmusik Chamber Orchestra (USA), Camarata Vocal (Chile), Utah Oratorio Society (USA), Salt Lake Symphonic Choir (USA), and others.

Manookian has also distinguished himself as a pianist on the world stage as a soloist with symphony orchestras, in recitals, and winner of international competitions such as the Aram Khachaturian International Piano Competition in New York (USA). He has been featured as concerto solist with the Mexico State Symphony (Mexico), Philippines Philharmonic, Utah Symphony Orchestra (USA), South Coast Symphony (USA), San Juan Symphony (Argentina), and many others.

“Images of Armenia” for piano 4 hands

The rich tome of Armenian music and its rhythms have always carried an intense fascination for me. Rather than just arrange an existing Armenian folksong, I take its flavor and create something original. This is just the case with these images.