Boris Allakhverdyan

Principal Clarinet

Los Angeles Philharmonic

"Alagna's 'E lucevan le stelle' was accompanied by a gorgeous clarinet solo by Boris Allakhverdyan." - New York Times

Dinicu/Heifetz - Hora Staccato

00:00 / 00:00

"...the L.A. Phil's resourceful woodwind section, highlighted by energetic, vibrant solos from the new principal clarinet Boris Allakhverdyan." - Los Angeles Times

"Messiaen's 'Quartet for the End of Time,' in an inspired performance by four superlative Met musicians... [including] clarinetist Boris Allakhverdyan." - New York Times

"Allakhverdyan’s masterful control of his instrument’s sound let him highlight precisely that edgeless, luminous timbre that Mozart so admired . . . Extended, vaulting passages of non-legato writing for the clarinet were dazzling in Allakhverdyan’s performance, as he soared over and through the ensemble with alacrity and power." - San Diego Union-Tribune

"The Abyss of the Birds" for clarinet alone... Allakhverdyan offered near-miraculous crescendos from total silence, coupled with unwavering control and pristine intonation." - New York Classical Review

"Messiaen's historic masterpiece remains a poignant, complicated blend of mystery and mysticism... The Met principals [including Boris Allakhverdyan] obviously understood, and savored, the unpredictable contours of magic." - Financial Times, London

"[In Copland's Clarinet Concerto] Allakhverdyan turned on the fireworks for his deft playing of the solo part. The bustling, skittish cadenza sounded almost improvisational and pulled the orchestra into a more dissonant and playful sonic world of spiky rhythms and perky passages..." - Springfield News-Leader

"[In Mozart's Clarinet Concerto] Clarinetist Allakhverdyan turned in the evening's most elegant and lyrical performance, with attentive and unfussy support from the podium. Allakhverdyan's tone is pliant and silky, as smooth as running water, with a remarkable variety of colors. The radiant simplicity of the Adagio movement poured out from the stage like a New Year's benediction." - Seattle Times