Moscow-trained Narek Arutyunian, a 19-year-old clarinetist born in Armenia, brought a modern twist Sunday during “A Gift to the Community” free concert series in Kleihans Music Hall, performing but a single work before the 20th century.

New York City-based Arutyunian went about his work in the Mary Seaton Room of Kleinhans accompanied by pianist Steven Beck, and they had a remarkable ability to command the audience.

Stepping back and forth and frequently raising his instrument toward the ceiling, Arutyunian’s body language was totally with the music. He held his clarinet reminiscent of Benny Goodman at times, and Beck was stoic at his instrument, with only his arms moving, a look of supreme concentration on his face.

The highlight was the “Sonata for Solo Clarinet,” by Edison Denisov. This atonal work features microtonal shadings from non-Western scales. Arutyunian bent notes with precision to slip between intervals and deliver an evocative performance that was mysterious. This was a performance that could easily be labeled ghostly, with its haunting pianissimo passages.

As a duet, the most enjoyable work was the “Sonatina for Clarinet and Piano,” by Joseph Horovitz. Completely tonal with impressionist harmony, this melodic work began with lovely arpeggiation in the piano part. Beck played sensitively, yet precisely, also giving the many staccato chords a warm touch. The second movement was autumnal, and Arutyunian played with tear-inducing sensitivity. The extended major seventh chords were highly suggestive of Debussy, and Beck played them in the manner of a jazz ballad. This was stunningly beautiful music.

Other highlights included the danceable tango movement from the “Four Souvenirs,” by Paul Schoenfield, a work that also featured frantic stride piano in the section titled “Tin Pan Alley.”

Arutyunian played with panache the portamento slides between notes. In the “Op. 184 sonata” of Francis Poulenc, the clarinet exhibited many tonal colors, while the “Theme and Variations” of Jean Francaix had chromatically tinged fireworks.

The sole 19th century work was the “Op. 48 Grand Duo Concertant” of Carl Maria von Weber. Technically perfect, it showed mastery over the standard repertoire. The second encore featured Arutyunian disassembling his instrument to great comedic effect in “Always Smaller,” by Adolph Schreiner.

The preconcert event was a demonstration by school-age musicians from the BRAVO chamber music workshop. Beginning with the “Minuet from the K. 168” of Mozart, two excerpts from Beethoven works followed. Notable were the debonair piano of Alexander Aylward in the warmly performed Allegro con Brio from the trio Op. 1, No. 3, and the impassioned violin of Teagan Faran in the furiously paced Allegro Molto of the Op. 59, No. 3 string quartet.

Concert Review

Buffalo Chamber Music Society’s Gift to the Community

With clarinetist Narek Arutyunian and pianist Steven Beck. Sunday afternoon in the Mary Seaton Room of Kleinhans Music Hall.