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Image © Wilk
5 Minutes with
Leonard Grigoryan
BAMF 2025
Concert #5 6pm Saturday, March 29
What inspired you to start learning to play the classical guitar, and have you learnt any other instruments?
I was fortunate to grow up in a musical family, so music was always a natural part of my life. My father, Edward Grigoryan, is a guitarist and teacher, and he was my first inspiration. I was drawn to the classical guitar’s expressive possibilities and its ability to convey so many different emotions and colours. Over the years, I’ve also explored other instruments, but the guitar has always been my main voice.
Who were your biggest influences or mentors during your formative years?
Apart from my father, I was heavily influenced by John Williams, Julian Bream, and many great musicians outside of the guitar world. Later, Slava and I had the privilege of working with outstanding artists across different genres, all of whom shaped my approach to music.
What do you enjoy most about performing together?
Performing with Slava is always special because we have such a natural musical connection. We don’t have to overanalyse things—we instinctively know how to phrase together and communicate through the music. There’s also a certain energy that comes from playing as a duo that’s very different from performing solo.
You’ve performed in many musical settings and collaborated with other artists worldwide. What has been the most rewarding or unexpected experience in your careers so far?
One of the most rewarding experiences has been collaborating with musicians from different backgrounds and cultures. Every collaboration brings something new, and often the most unexpected projects turn out to be the most inspiring. Working with musicians outside of the classical world—whether it’s jazz, folk, or world music—has broadened our perspective and pushed us to grow as artists.
If you could commission a new piece for classical guitar from any composer, past or present, who would it be and why?
There are so many composers I’d love to hear write for the guitar, but if I had to choose one, it might be J.S. Bach. His music translates beautifully to the instrument, even though he didn’t write specifically for it. If he had composed a full-scale work for the guitar, it would be fascinating to see how he might have explored its possibilities.
When you’re not rehearsing and performing, do you have time for other hobbies?
Music takes up a lot of our time, but outside of that, I enjoy reading, exploring new places when we’re touring, and spending time with family and friends. I also love good food and coffee, so finding great local spots wherever we travel is always a fun part of the experience.
What accomplishments in your careers are you most proud of?
There have been many rewarding moments, but one that stands out is having the opportunity to record and perform music that we truly connect with. Whether it’s commissioning new works, arranging existing pieces, or developing projects like This Is Us, being able to share meaningful music with audiences is what we value most.
Can you tell us a little about your programme “This Is Us: A Musical Reflection of Australia” to be performed at BAMF?
This Is Us is a collection of works inspired by objects from the National Museum of Australia in Canberra. Each piece reflects a different aspect of Australian history, culture, or landscape, drawing from the diverse stories behind these objects. The programme is a musical journey through Australia’s rich heritage, and it’s been a deeply rewarding project to bring to life. We’re excited to share it at BAMF.
For further info about the Grigoryan Brothers go to: https://www.grigoryanbrothers.com/
Interview conducted by Catherine Barnett (BAMF Committee) March 2025