Laurence Mekhitarian

Laurence Mekhitarian is a **pianist** who bridges Armenian and Belgian musical traditions. The daughter of Arpag Mekhitarian, an eminent Egyptologist and Armenian art researcher, she grew up in Belgium with deep connections to Armenian culture through her family and community, though Armenian wasn't spoken in her household during childhood. Her musical journey has been profoundly shaped by her engagement with contemporary composers, particularly György Kurtág, whose work has been central to her artistic life for nearly forty years.

Mekhitarian has built a notable recording career with the Cypres label, collaborating with Belgian composers on projects like *Temps d'Arménie* and exploring sophisticated programming that weaves together classical and contemporary works. Her recent album *Sentiers de traverse* (released January 2026) exemplifies her curatorial approach, pairing Robert Schumann's *Waldszenen* with miniatures by Kurtág and excerpts from Leoš Janáček's cycle, guided by emotional resonances and sonic affinities rather than conventional structure. For Mekhitarian, music serves as a mediator—connecting cultures, honoring artistic legacies, and embodying what she sees as a rare and essential way of being in the world through art.