Concert Review: Arie Dakesian at the Reform Club, London

Michael Corby with Arie Dakesian at the Reform Club, Pall Mall

Arie Dakesian, Reform Club, Thursday 14 May 2026

There is no denying the importance of a good atmosphere for adding to the success of a solo recital and the Library of the Reform Club on London’s Pall Mall offers such a perfect setting – surrounded by walls lined with books, decorated panelling and ornate ceilings – everything is conducive to quiet mediation and listening. Arie Dakesian opened his recital with a meditative exploration of Bach’s Prelude in C major from his 48 Preludes and Fugues. Dakesian’s improvisation on this masterful work was a decoration of Bach’s ideas that did not disturb the fundamental beauty of the original and at the same time created a desire for closer listening.

Dakesian has broad tastes in music, ranging from the flamenco-inspired Rondeña by Regino Sainz de la Maza and the lyricism of Variations on Paganini’s ‘Carnival of Venice’ by Francisco Tárrega, to lesser-known Studies by the Italian composer guitarist Mario Gangi. All received reliably musical interpretations, which followed closely the light and shade of the music.

Aware of his love of arranging music for the guitar, the organiser of the Reform Club recitals, Michael Corby, commissioned two arrangements from Arie Dakesian to première at this recital, based on music which is very dear to Corby’s heart: the Theme from The Third Man, by Anton Karas and ‘Do Not Forsake Me Oh my Darling’ from the film High Noon by Dimitri Tiomkin. Dakesian demonstrated the breadth of his arranging skills by following those more popular arrangements with his arrangement of Sibelius’s Etude, Op. 74, No. 2 – originally for solo piano. The final work was also an arrangement of Astor Piazzolla’s tango-infused response to Vivaldi’s Four Seasons – the Four Seasons of Buenos Aires.

Arie Dakesian has a strongly expressive style, drawing colours and timbres from the guitar which are exploratory and fresh. His repertoire is also a reflection of his wider musical experiences and tastes. These are the essential ingredients for any young musician to possess as they establish their individual voice as a musician. Fortunately, this distinctive voice which Arie Dakesian displays in performance on the classical guitar has been appreciated by prestigious music trusts such the Julian Bream Trust and the Tillet Debut Artist, which offered him a two-year grant and performance collaborations, as he completes his Master’s degree at the Royal College of Music.