REVIEWS


The players made a strong statement in the opening bars, and Arman, with his vigorous conducting style, managed to sustain tension in the development. Sinfonia Toronto played the soaring high-position melodies with suitable intensity. Sparks flew in the finale.

LUDWIG VAN TORONTO by Arthur Kaptainis, October 23, 2023


After intermission, we heard Shostakovich’s String Quartet No. 4 in Arman’s expansion. The orchestra managed to convey the quiet intensity of this relentlessly interior music, which does not often rise above mezzoforte. Soft sounds and rounded corners prevailed. Still, Arman maintained a sense of engagement. 

LUDWIG VAN TORONTO by Arthur Kaptainis, March 6, 2023


To watch them play is to marvel at their energy, stamina and synchronous movements.  To hear them play is to be captivated by their ability to weave separate parts together seamlessly into a musical whole. There is an element of musical “oneness” among the players, and maestro Arman, that opens an exhilarating space for the listener....The performance was vivid and transporting.

BARRIE TODAY January 23, 2020


Good vibrations from two Toronto premieres

Nurhan Arman, a demonstrative conductor with an energetic and forward-moving style. He elicited urgent feeling and glowing tone from the Ichmouratov and, after intermission, the Tchaikovsky Serenade. Not that the charm of the waltz was overlooked.

LA SCENA MUSICALE by Arthur Kaptainis November 11, 2019


Wieder wurde ein Werk eines sowjetischen Komponisten einem der Wiener Klassik gegenübergestellt. Dmitri Schostakowitschs Opus 108, eigentlich ein Streichquartett, erklang hier durch das Streichorchester. Energetisch dirigiert durch Nurhan Arman und sauber und ausdrucksvoll gespielt vom Arpeggione-Orchester, vermochte es mit seinen starken Motiven zu berühren.  So erlebte man eine Musik, die mit jedem Ton eine Botschaft vermittelte, ohne sich aufzudrängen. Ähnliches ereignete sich bei den aufwühlenden Klängen von Joseph Haydns Sinfonie Nr. 44 in ?s-Moll, genannt „Trauersinfonie“, die ebenfalls auf die Hörer und Hörerinnen eine spürbar starke Wirkung hatte. Das Arpeggione-Orchester Hohenems hat somit gezeigt, wie feinsinnig und zugleich eindringlich man durch Musik auf historische und politische Geschehnisse hinweisen kann. 

NEUE by Anna Mika


Belgrade Philharmonic members, under the focused and involved direction of Nurhan Arman, performed Mozart's Overture to the Magic Flute, rendering this piece of sublime, divine joy in vivid and harmoniously cast, transparent sound shapes.  At this concert, Shostakovich's famous Fifth Symphony sounded powerfully and majestically in the Belgrade Philharmonic members' polished, precise and highly expressive interpretation, which was a credit to maestro Arman's conducting excellence and outstanding performance abilities of our magnificent symphony ensemble. With an eloquent and elaborate oboe part in the spotlight, conductor Nurhan Arman, subtly yet authoritatively, yielded fine, dynamically and tonally sophisticated sound nuances of orchestral parts, which gave this performance a deep and delicate expressiveness and a toned down, yet powerful dramatic impact. 

DNEVNIK by Borislav Hložan Serbia, 2011


The incandescent baton of Maestro Nurhan Arman and the Orchestra of Teatro Olimpico in great form (headline) 

IL GIORNALE DI VICENZA by Eva Purelli April 2009


Conductor Nurhan Arman commanded attention with the confidence and individuality of his style.  

LAS PROVINCIAS (Spain) by César Rus 


Conductor makes magic (sub-headline) 

FULDAER ZEITUNG by Mikolaus Frey November 2008


The interpretation directed by Nurhan Arman justified the work's unconventional structure, on the one hand, and on the other hand its title 'La Passione.' The two fast movements were so sparkling and secure, especially the rapid, mercurial Finale. 

LEVANTE-EMV (Spain) by Alfredo Brotons Muñoz


In the five movements shaped with perfecting care Nurhan Arman provided his standing ensemble with conducting gestures that were sharp-edged, soft, flowing and always playful. With a joyful sprint with the witty score he served Dvorák as a lighthearted, feel-good package. Agility, verve and temperament, full of feeling in the quieter lyrical sections pulsated this reading with life and made it clear that Sinfonia Toronto was an ensemble of world class.

RUSSELHEIMER ECHO Albrecht Schmidt, November 2008


Conductor Nurhan Arman directed and guided his musicians through the idiosyncratic and challenging score with almost boundless energy. The interpretation we heard was the result of intensive rehearsals paying attention to inner details and it was sensitive, committed and well thought-out. 

WESTFALLEN BLATT by Peter Ernst, November 2008


In the Suite for String Orchestra by Leos Janacek and in the Serenade for strings by Antonin Dvorak - there was ample momentum and passion, they were played with perfect string sonority and technique and were propelled forward by a spirited conductor.

FLORSHEIM ZEITUNG November 2008


Exciting! The Boccherini movements rang with lively and masterful use of dynamic shadings, convincing with precise and exciting homogeny.

ALLGEMEINE ZEITUNG, October 2004


A delicious performance of Orchestra Sinfonica Siciliana began with Marco Betta's 'Letters from war and death' which was lovingly conducted by Nurhan Arman. It was followed by an excellent interpretation of Beethoven's First Symphony which thoroughly delighted the audience at the Villa Piccolo.

IL GIORNALE DI SICILIA, July 2006


A fascinating and striking musical personality. He came impeccably prepared and knew just what he wished to achieve, and the orchestra played with zest and precision in ensemble and intonation. 

PRAVDA, 1988


He had everyone dancing on the end of his baton. Arman was in his element here especially, coaxing perfectly balanced, delicately ironic sounds... Eyes twinkled and were on the verge of smiling at times as they moved from score to conductor. The musicians seemed alert to Arman's every move, not something that happens with many guest conductors. 

KITCHENER-WATERLOO RECORD


Grieg’s Holberg Suite and Dvorak’s Serenade – both of which Arman led in an affectionate, unhurried manner, with an appreciation of their singing qualities. 

THE TORONTO STAR, November 1999


there is no better way to put an audience in a relaxed and receptive frame of mind than Conductor Nurhan Arman’s affable remarks introducing each selection

THE TORONTO STAR by William Littler


Nurhan Arman and his orchestra literally conquered us...

LA SCENA MUSICALE, Canada


Arman coaxed pianissimos of remarkable beauty and precision from his string sections in the first Wagner Prelude and maintained balanced clarity in even the brassy fortissimos of the other Prelude. 

THE GLOBE AND MAIL, Toronto


A graceful conductor who kept one's attention consistently. Bravo! 

THE DENVER POST


Nurhan Arman conducted the Sinfonia Toronto with great flexibility and care. It was evident from his physical movements that the music was in his soul - at times it appeared as though he was going to dance.

THE BARRIE ADVANCE


The Pilsen Radio Symphony was led in a spirited and nobly rounded performance by the conductor Nurhan Arman from Canada.

BROADCAST REVIEW, Prague


A breath of fresh air... Displaying an animated and at times unorthodox podium style, Arman urged robust, cohesive ensemble work out of the DCO strings. There was energy and wit in the Britten, warmth and communicativeness in the Elgar.

ROCKY MOUNTAIN NEWS, Denver


Arman kept the attention level high and put music and energy through the roof. Arman is wild at times with his gestures, his curly hair jumping and waving as he bobs; at other times, he is as romantic and subtle as a ballet dancer.

THE NEWS JOURNAL, Ohio


Arman brought out the pensive, almost melancholy Czech sound that one expects only from ensembles of Mitteleuropa. Arman gets into the meat of every piece and his rhythms are marvellous.

EVENING TIMES-GLOBE, Herman Biermann


Nurhan Arman's artistic persona displays an expansive ability to communicate. Arman avoids outward exhibitionism. He leads the orchestra with commanding and classically controlled motions, but without coercion, so that the musicians give themselves wholeheartedly to him, and carry the audience along with them.

THE NATION, Armenia, October 1992


Sinfonia Toronto was in town to give the final concert of the 2009/10 Georgian Music concert series.  Conducted by Nurhan Arman, whose work has been critically acclaimed all over the world, Sinfonia Toronto is a 'world-class' chamber orchestra based at the CBC Glen Gould Studio in Toronto. Its core of virtuoso string players, seven beautifully gowned young women and five 'men in black,' lit up the stage as they opened the concert with the elegant strains of Mozart'sDivertimento in F Major.

THE BARRIE EXAMINER by Sandra Ruttan 

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