Alexander Arutiunian
Encyclopedia
Alexander Grigorevich Arutiunian (Arm.
Ալեքսանդր Գրիգորի Հարությունյան), also known as Arutunian, Arutyunyan, Arutjunjan or Harutiunian (b. September 23, 1920, Yerevan, Armenia), is a Soviet and Armenia
n composer
and pianist
, Professor of Yerevan State Conservatory (1977), widely-known particularly for his Trumpet concerto
described as flashy by the New York Times. He was awarded by the Stalin Prize (1949) and State Prize of Armenia
(1970), People's Artist of the USSR
(1970) and Armenian SSR
(1964) honorary titles, Aram Khachaturian
Prize (1986), "St Mesrop Mashtots"
and "Khorenatsi"
Armenian medals, "Alexandrov
" Gold medal (1976), the Orpheus Award (Kentucky, USA) and "St Sahak and St Mesrop" Order by Holy Etchmiadzin (2004).
on the eve of World War II
. After the war he moved to Moscow
, where between 1946 and 1948 he participated in the workshops of House of Armenian Culture, studied composition with Genrikh Litinsky. After graduation he returned to Yerevan to teach at the local Conservatory and in 1954 he was appointed artistic director of the Armenian State Philharmony. He was also a member of the Board of the USSR Composers' Union
, as well as of the Armenian SSR Composers’ Union.
In 1948 he was awarded the Stalin Prize for the Motherland cantata
, a graduation piece he wrote as a student at the Moscow Conservatory
. The USSR Radio Choir and Orchestra performed this work first time in November, 1948.
In 1949 Arutiunian composed the "Festive Overture" that was first performed in the Big Hall of the Leningrad Philharmonic in November 1949, with Evgeny Mravinsky
conducting. During the Moscow Music Congress Aram Khachaturian
considered him as a promising Soviet composer. He has continued to win acclaim at home and abroad for his works, many of which are quickened by the folk
traditions of Armenian music. Other works of that kind include The tale of Armenian people (1960), Ode to Lenin (1967) and Hymn to the brotherhood (1970).
Some of Arutiunian's works for wind instrument
s, notably the 1950 concerto
for trumpet
, the concerto for tuba
, and the brass
quintet
Armenian Scenes, have secured their place in the international repertory, having been performed by conductors such as Valeri Gergiev, who has recorded his Symphony for large orchestra (composed in 1957) with the Symphony orchestra of the Russian All-Union Radio.
"Simfonietta" for string orchestra in 4 movements (1966, dedicated to the Armenian Chamber Orchestra) is another innovative work by Arutiunian. Dmitry Shostakovich described it as "wonderfully clean, and pure", "excellent choice of themes".
In 1988, under the impression of Spitak earthquake, Arutiunian composed the Concerto for Violin and String Orchestra in 4 movements (dedicated to Ruben Aharonyan). One of the composer’s most emotionally exposed compositions, here the main principles of his compositional style are undoubtedly preserved, with deep psychological involvement and philosophical insight. The four-movement cycle is organized according to the scheme – slow first and third movements, and faster second and fourth movements. "...The Concerto overflows with graceful melodic invention, rhythmic vitality, deeply-felt emotional intensity especially in the central third movement, and dionysiac exuberance in the sparkling final perpetuum mobile...", wrote Joseph Horovitz
. The premiere took place in Yerevan
in 1989.
On September 2010 Arutiunian's 90-th birthday was celebrated by a series of concerts.
Arutiunian's Trumpet Concerto consists of the following movements:
The melodic and rhythmic characteristics of Armenian folk music are a strong influence in Arutiunian’s work. As a composer, he expresses his nationality by incorporating the flavor of ashughner (folk minstrel) improvisations. At the time the concerto was written, his compositional style was similar to Khachaturian's. However, in the 1960s he tended towards classical forms and clearer tonality.
Arutiunian’s trumpet concerto was his sixth major composition, written in 1950. Arutiunian originally intended to write it in 1943 for a student of Tabakov, Zsolak Vartasarian, who was the principal trumpet in the Armenian Philharmonic Orchestra
. However, Vartasarian died in the war and the concerto was not completed until 1950, so "Aykaz Messlayan was the first performer of the Concerto and Timofei Dokschitzer
was the first recording artist of this concerto."
The concerto's introduction to the United States
is solely due to Timofei Dokschitzer
, a leading Soviet Russian trumpeter.
Armenian language
The Armenian language is an Indo-European language spoken by the Armenian people. It is the official language of the Republic of Armenia as well as in the region of Nagorno-Karabakh. The language is also widely spoken by Armenian communities in the Armenian diaspora...
Ալեքսանդր Գրիգորի Հարությունյան), also known as Arutunian, Arutyunyan, Arutjunjan or Harutiunian (b. September 23, 1920, Yerevan, Armenia), is a Soviet and Armenia
Armenia
Armenia , officially the Republic of Armenia , is a landlocked mountainous country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia...
n composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
and pianist
Pianist
A pianist is a musician who plays the piano. A professional pianist can perform solo pieces, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers, solo instrumentalists, or other performers.-Choice of genres:...
, Professor of Yerevan State Conservatory (1977), widely-known particularly for his Trumpet concerto
Arutunian Trumpet Concerto
Alexander Arutunian’s Trumpet Concerto in A-flat major , also known as the Arutunian Trumpet Concerto, is the Armenian composer’s sixth major composition, a "virtuoso showpiece" composed in 1949-1950. It was written for the trumpet player Timofei Dokschitzer...
described as flashy by the New York Times. He was awarded by the Stalin Prize (1949) and State Prize of Armenia
Armenia
Armenia , officially the Republic of Armenia , is a landlocked mountainous country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia...
(1970), People's Artist of the USSR
People's Artist of the USSR
People's Artist of the USSR, also sometimes translated as National Artist of the USSR, was an honorary title granted to citizens of the Soviet Union.- Nomenclature and significance :...
(1970) and Armenian SSR
Armenian SSR
The Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic The Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic The Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic The Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic The Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic The Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic The Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic The Armenian Soviet...
(1964) honorary titles, Aram Khachaturian
Aram Khachaturian
Aram Ilyich Khachaturian was a prominent Soviet composer. Khachaturian's works were often influenced by classical Russian music and Armenian folk music...
Prize (1986), "St Mesrop Mashtots"
Awards and decorations of Armenia
Awards and decorations of Armenia are military and civil decorations of the Republic of Armenia which are bestowed by various agencies of the Armenian government for acts of accomplishment benefiting the government and the Armenian nation as a whole....
and "Khorenatsi"
Khorenatsi medal
The Khorenatsi medal is the Republic of Armenia's highest cultural award. It is presented by the president to people who have significantly contributed to the advancement of Armenian culture....
Armenian medals, "Alexandrov
Boris Alexandrovich Alexandrov
Major General Boris Alexandrovich Alexandrov was a Soviet Russian composer, and, from 1946 to 1986, the second head of the Alexandrov Ensemble which was founded by his father, Alexander Vasilyevich Alexandrov...
" Gold medal (1976), the Orpheus Award (Kentucky, USA) and "St Sahak and St Mesrop" Order by Holy Etchmiadzin (2004).
Biography
Arutiunian was born in Yerevan, Armenia, in the family of Grigor and Eleonora Arutiunians. His father was a military serviceman. At an early age Arutiunian met famous composer Alexander Spendiarian. In 1927 Arutiunian became a member of the Yerevan State Conservatory’s children group, then, at the age of fourteen, he was admitted to the Conservatory to the studios of O.Babasyan (piano), and S.Barkhudaryan and V. Talyan (composition). He graduated from the Music Conservatory of YerevanYerevan
Yerevan is the capital and largest city of Armenia and one of the world's oldest continuously-inhabited cities. Situated along the Hrazdan River, Yerevan is the administrative, cultural, and industrial center of the country...
on the eve of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. After the war he moved to Moscow
Moscow
Moscow is the capital, the most populous city, and the most populous federal subject of Russia. The city is a major political, economic, cultural, scientific, religious, financial, educational, and transportation centre of Russia and the continent...
, where between 1946 and 1948 he participated in the workshops of House of Armenian Culture, studied composition with Genrikh Litinsky. After graduation he returned to Yerevan to teach at the local Conservatory and in 1954 he was appointed artistic director of the Armenian State Philharmony. He was also a member of the Board of the USSR Composers' Union
Union of Soviet Composers
The USSR Union of Composers or Union of Composers of the USSR , , was a professional organisation of composers in the Soviet Union...
, as well as of the Armenian SSR Composers’ Union.
In 1948 he was awarded the Stalin Prize for the Motherland cantata
Cantata
A cantata is a vocal composition with an instrumental accompaniment, typically in several movements, often involving a choir....
, a graduation piece he wrote as a student at the Moscow Conservatory
Moscow Conservatory
The Moscow Conservatory is a higher musical education institution in Moscow, and the second oldest conservatory in Russia after St. Petersburg Conservatory. Along with the St...
. The USSR Radio Choir and Orchestra performed this work first time in November, 1948.
In 1949 Arutiunian composed the "Festive Overture" that was first performed in the Big Hall of the Leningrad Philharmonic in November 1949, with Evgeny Mravinsky
Evgeny Mravinsky
Yevgeny Aleksandrovich Mravinsky was a Russian/Soviet conductor.-Life and career:Mravinsky was born in Saint Petersburg. The soprano Yevgeniya Mravina was his aunt. His father died in 1918, and in that same year, he began to work backstage at the Mariinsky Theatre. He first studied biology at...
conducting. During the Moscow Music Congress Aram Khachaturian
Aram Khachaturian
Aram Ilyich Khachaturian was a prominent Soviet composer. Khachaturian's works were often influenced by classical Russian music and Armenian folk music...
considered him as a promising Soviet composer. He has continued to win acclaim at home and abroad for his works, many of which are quickened by the folk
Folk music
Folk music is an English term encompassing both traditional folk music and contemporary folk music. The term originated in the 19th century. Traditional folk music has been defined in several ways: as music transmitted by mouth, as music of the lower classes, and as music with unknown composers....
traditions of Armenian music. Other works of that kind include The tale of Armenian people (1960), Ode to Lenin (1967) and Hymn to the brotherhood (1970).
Some of Arutiunian's works for wind instrument
Wind instrument
A wind instrument is a musical instrument that contains some type of resonator , in which a column of air is set into vibration by the player blowing into a mouthpiece set at the end of the resonator. The pitch of the vibration is determined by the length of the tube and by manual modifications of...
s, notably the 1950 concerto
Concerto
A concerto is a musical work usually composed in three parts or movements, in which one solo instrument is accompanied by an orchestra.The etymology is uncertain, but the word seems to have originated from the conjunction of the two Latin words...
for trumpet
Trumpet
The trumpet is the musical instrument with the highest register in the brass family. Trumpets are among the oldest musical instruments, dating back to at least 1500 BCE. They are played by blowing air through closed lips, producing a "buzzing" sound which starts a standing wave vibration in the air...
, the concerto for tuba
Tuba
The tuba is the largest and lowest-pitched brass instrument. Sound is produced by vibrating or "buzzing" the lips into a large cupped mouthpiece. It is one of the most recent additions to the modern symphony orchestra, first appearing in the mid-19th century, when it largely replaced the...
, and the brass
Brass instrument
A brass instrument is a musical instrument whose sound is produced by sympathetic vibration of air in a tubular resonator in sympathy with the vibration of the player's lips...
quintet
Quintet
A quintet is a group containing five members.It is commonly associated with musical groups, such as a string quintet, or a group of five singers, but can be applied to any situation where five similar or related objects are considered a single unit....
Armenian Scenes, have secured their place in the international repertory, having been performed by conductors such as Valeri Gergiev, who has recorded his Symphony for large orchestra (composed in 1957) with the Symphony orchestra of the Russian All-Union Radio.
"Simfonietta" for string orchestra in 4 movements (1966, dedicated to the Armenian Chamber Orchestra) is another innovative work by Arutiunian. Dmitry Shostakovich described it as "wonderfully clean, and pure", "excellent choice of themes".
In 1988, under the impression of Spitak earthquake, Arutiunian composed the Concerto for Violin and String Orchestra in 4 movements (dedicated to Ruben Aharonyan). One of the composer’s most emotionally exposed compositions, here the main principles of his compositional style are undoubtedly preserved, with deep psychological involvement and philosophical insight. The four-movement cycle is organized according to the scheme – slow first and third movements, and faster second and fourth movements. "...The Concerto overflows with graceful melodic invention, rhythmic vitality, deeply-felt emotional intensity especially in the central third movement, and dionysiac exuberance in the sparkling final perpetuum mobile...", wrote Joseph Horovitz
Joseph Horovitz
Joseph Horovitz is a British composer and conductor. Horovitz's family emigrated to England in 1938. He studied music and modern languages at New College, Oxford, and later attended the Royal College of Music in London, studying composition with Gordon Jacob. He then undertook a year of further...
. The premiere took place in Yerevan
Yerevan
Yerevan is the capital and largest city of Armenia and one of the world's oldest continuously-inhabited cities. Situated along the Hrazdan River, Yerevan is the administrative, cultural, and industrial center of the country...
in 1989.
On September 2010 Arutiunian's 90-th birthday was celebrated by a series of concerts.
Trumpet Concerto in A-flat major (1950)
- See also: Arutunian Trumpet ConcertoArutunian Trumpet ConcertoAlexander Arutunian’s Trumpet Concerto in A-flat major , also known as the Arutunian Trumpet Concerto, is the Armenian composer’s sixth major composition, a "virtuoso showpiece" composed in 1949-1950. It was written for the trumpet player Timofei Dokschitzer...
Arutiunian's Trumpet Concerto consists of the following movements:
- Andante—Allegro energico
- Meno mosso
- Tempo I
The melodic and rhythmic characteristics of Armenian folk music are a strong influence in Arutiunian’s work. As a composer, he expresses his nationality by incorporating the flavor of ashughner (folk minstrel) improvisations. At the time the concerto was written, his compositional style was similar to Khachaturian's. However, in the 1960s he tended towards classical forms and clearer tonality.
Arutiunian’s trumpet concerto was his sixth major composition, written in 1950. Arutiunian originally intended to write it in 1943 for a student of Tabakov, Zsolak Vartasarian, who was the principal trumpet in the Armenian Philharmonic Orchestra
Armenian Philharmonic Orchestra
The Armenian Philharmonic Orchestra is the national orchestra of Armenia. It was founded in 1925 as a symphony orchestra of the Yerevan State Conservatory. Now it performs in Khachaturian Hall, Yerevan....
. However, Vartasarian died in the war and the concerto was not completed until 1950, so "Aykaz Messlayan was the first performer of the Concerto and Timofei Dokschitzer
Timofei Dokschitzer
Timofei Aleksandrovich Dokschitzer was a Soviet Russian trumpeter, Professor of Gnesins Musical College. He was the solo-trumpeter of Bolshoi Theater....
was the first recording artist of this concerto."
The concerto's introduction to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
is solely due to Timofei Dokschitzer
Timofei Dokschitzer
Timofei Aleksandrovich Dokschitzer was a Soviet Russian trumpeter, Professor of Gnesins Musical College. He was the solo-trumpeter of Bolshoi Theater....
, a leading Soviet Russian trumpeter.
Personal life
In 1950 Arutiunian married Irina (Tamara) Odenova. They have a daughter, Narine (born 1951), who is a pianist and lawyer; and a son, Suren (born 1953), who is an artist-designer. Arutiunian has 3 granddaughters and a grandson.Awards
- 1949 - State Stalin Prize (USSR State Prize)
- 1962 - People's Artist of Armenia
- 1970 - People's Artist of USSR
- 1972 - State Prize of Armenia
- 1977 - All-Union Alexandrov Prize (Gold medal)
- 1983 – Orpheus Award (USA)
- 1986 - Aram KhachaturianAram KhachaturianAram Ilyich Khachaturian was a prominent Soviet composer. Khachaturian's works were often influenced by classical Russian music and Armenian folk music...
Prize - 1998 – "Khorenatsi"Khorenatsi medalThe Khorenatsi medal is the Republic of Armenia's highest cultural award. It is presented by the president to people who have significantly contributed to the advancement of Armenian culture....
Medal (Armenia) - 2001 - "St Mesrop Mashtots"Awards and decorations of ArmeniaAwards and decorations of Armenia are military and civil decorations of the Republic of Armenia which are bestowed by various agencies of the Armenian government for acts of accomplishment benefiting the government and the Armenian nation as a whole....
Order (Armenia) - 2004 - St Sahak and St Mesrop Order (Etchmiadzin, Armenia)
- 2005 - Armenian Academy of SciencesArmenian Academy of SciencesThe Armenian Academy of Sciences is the primary body that conducts research in and coordinates activities in the fields of science and social sciences in the Republic of Armenia. It was founded on November 29, 1943...
Gold Medal - 1983 - Honorary Citizen of the State of Kentucky, USA
- 1987 - Honorary Citizen of YerevanYerevanYerevan is the capital and largest city of Armenia and one of the world's oldest continuously-inhabited cities. Situated along the Hrazdan River, Yerevan is the administrative, cultural, and industrial center of the country...
City.
Main performers of Arutunian's compositions
- Conductors: Valery GergievValery GergievValery Abisalovich Gergiev is a Russian conductor and opera company director. He is general director and artistic director of the Mariinsky Theatre, principal conductor of the London Symphony Orchestra, and artistic director of the White Nights Festival in St. Petersburg.- Early life :Gergiev,...
, Yevgeny Mravinsky, Ohan DurianOhan DurianOhan Durian or Duryan , was a well-known Armenian conductor.He was the conductor of Armenian Philharmonic Orchestra since 1950's....
, Konstantin OrbelyanKonstantin OrbelyanKonstantin Aghaparoni Orbelyan is an Armenian pianist, composer, head of the State Estrada Orchestra of Armenia. People's Artist of USSR , Union of Soviet Composers Board member, Armenian Composer's Union secretary since 1983, Vice-President of All-Soviet Musical Society of the USSR.-External...
, Gennady RozhdestvenskyGennady RozhdestvenskyGennady Nikolayevich Rozhdestvensky is a Russian conductor.-Biography:Rozhdestvensky was born in Moscow. His parents were the noted conductor and pedagogue Nikolai Anosov and soprano Natalya Rozhdestvenskaya...
, Mstislav RostropovichMstislav RostropovichMstislav Leopoldovich Rostropovich, KBE , known to close friends as Slava, was a Soviet and Russian cellist and conductor. He was married to the soprano Galina Vishnevskaya. He is widely considered to have been the greatest cellist of the second half of the 20th century, and one of the greatest of...
, Yevgeny Svetlanov, Loris TjeknavorianLoris TjeknavorianLoris Tjeknavorian is a contemporary Iranian-Armenian composer and conductor...
, Karl EliasbergKarl EliasbergKarl Ilitch Eliasberg was a Soviet conductor.Eliasberg graduated from the Leningrad Conservatory as a violinist in 1929, and was conductor of the Leningrad Theatre of Musical Comedy from 1929 to 1931 before joining Leningrad Radio as conductor.-The siege of Leningrad:Eliasberg was conductor of...
, Vladimir FedoseyevVladimir FedoseyevVladimir Ivanovich Fedoseyev is a Russian conductor.Fedoseyev graduated from the Gnessin State Musical College 1957, and Moscow Conservatory 1972. From 1974 artistic director and chief conductor of the Tchaikovsky Symphony Orchestra of Moscow Radio 1974-1999. He has also served as principal...
, Aram GharabekyanAram GharabekyanAram Gharabekyan is an Armenian conductor, former Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of the National Chamber Orchestra of Armenia. In 1983 he founded and until 1991 directed and conducted the Boston SinfoNova Orchestra....
, David KhanjyanDavid KhanjyanDavid Khanjyan was a Soviet Armenian conductor and pianist.Khanjian was born in the family of Hakob Khanjian and Tatevik Sazandaryan. He finished the piano department of Yerevan State Conservatory, then entered to conduction department of the same conservatory. Then he studied Hans Swarowsky in...
, Konstantin SarajevKonstantin SarajevKonstantin Sarajev was a Soviet Armenian conductor and violinist.He graduated from the Moscow Conservatory, then continued his musical training in Prague with O.Shevchik. In Thessalonica, Sarajian conducted popular symphonic concerts and directed the Sergievo-Alekseievski National Opera's...
, Vladimir SpivakovVladimir SpivakovVladimir Teodorovich Spivakov is a leading Russian conductor and violinist best known for his work with the chamber orchestra....
etc. - Choirmasters: Tatul AltunyanTatul AltunyanTatul Tigrani Altunyan was an Armenian conductor, the founder of Armenian song-dance state ensemble . People's Artist of USSR , State Prize of the USSR , Professor.Altunyan was the student of Romanos Melikian and Spiridon Melikian...
, Hovhannes ChekijyanHovhannes ChekijyanHovhannes Chekijyan is an Armenian conductor, art director of the Armenian State Academic Choir. People's Artist of USSR , State Prizes of Armenia and USSR, Professor.-Links:**... - Pianists: Şahan ArzruniSahan ArzruniŞahan Arzruni is an Armenian pianist, composer, ethnomusicologist, lecturer, writer and producer.Arzruni was born in Istanbul, Turkey, whose family name belongs to an ancient Armenian dynasty...
, Svetlana NavasardyanSvetlana NavasardyanSvetlana Navasardyan is an Armenian pianist.A disciple of Yakov Zak, she first stood out at the East German musical scene, being awarded prizes at Zwickau's Robert Schumann and Leipzig's Johann Sebastian Bach Competition... - Violinists: Ilya GrubertIlya GrubertIlya Grubert is a Latvian classical violinist. He has won Paganini Competition and Tchaikovsky Competition in 1978.Born in Riga, Grubert began his studies at the Emil Darzins School of Music. He has studied under Yuri Yankelevich and Zinaida Gilels, and then under Leonid Kogan at the Moscow...
, Ruben AharonyanRuben AharonyanRuben Mikael Aharonian or Aharonyan is an Armenian classical violinist. He has won Enescu Competition in Bucharest and Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow... - Cellists: Mstislav RostropovichMstislav RostropovichMstislav Leopoldovich Rostropovich, KBE , known to close friends as Slava, was a Soviet and Russian cellist and conductor. He was married to the soprano Galina Vishnevskaya. He is widely considered to have been the greatest cellist of the second half of the 20th century, and one of the greatest of...
, Daniil ShafranDaniil Shafran-Early years:Daniil Shafran was born in Petrograd in 1923. Even from before his birth he was surrounded by music. His mother and father were music students when he was born. His father, Boris Shafran, went on to be principal cellist of the Leningrad Philharmonic Orchestra and his mother, Frida...
, Geronty Talalyan - Trumpeters: Timofei DokschitzerTimofei DokschitzerTimofei Aleksandrovich Dokschitzer was a Soviet Russian trumpeter, Professor of Gnesins Musical College. He was the solo-trumpeter of Bolshoi Theater....
, Maurice AndréMaurice AndréMaurice André is a French trumpeter, active in the classical music field.-Biography:He is a classical virtuoso trumpeter, born in Alès, France in the Cévennes into a mining family. His father was an amateur musician....
, Philip SmithPhilip Smith (musician)Philip Smith is an eminent American classical trumpet player. He is the principal trumpeter in the New York Philharmonic Orchestra. Smith, born in the UK, is from a Salvation Army background. He maintains a high reputation amongst trumpeters worldwide as one of the best. He assumed the...
, Roger VoisinRoger VoisinRoger Louis Voisin was a French-born American classical trumpeter. In 1959, The New York Times called him "one of the best-known trumpeters in this country."-Performing career:...
, Maurice MurphyMaurice MurphyMaurice Harrison Murphy MBE was a British musician who was Principal Trumpet of the London Symphony Orchestra from 1977 to 2007....
, David Hickman, Sergei NakariakovSergei NakariakovSergei Mikhailovich Nakariakov is a Russian virtuoso trumpeter who came to prominence in the late 1990s. He released his first CD recording in 1992 at the age of 15.-Recordings:...
, Carolina BrassCarolina BrassCarolina Brass is the name chosen by two different brass quintets based in North Carolina.Carolina Brass in CharlotteCarolina Brass was founded in 1980 by four principal brass musicians of the Charlotte Symphony and a professor of music at Davidson College...
etc. - Flutists: James StraussJames StraussJames Dean Strauss is an American theologian who was professor of theology and philosophy at Lincoln Christian Seminary from 1967-1994. He has been described by many as the Einstein of the Restoration Movement.-Life:...
, Alexander Korneyev - Vocalists: Irina Arkhipova, Zara DolukhanovaZara DolukhanovaZara Dolukhanova was an Armenian mezzo-soprano who achieved fame performing on many lauded radio broadcasts of operas and works from the concert repertoire during the 1940s through the 1960s...
, Lili ChookasianLili ChookasianLili Chookasian is an American contralto who has appeared with many of the world's major symphony orchestras and opera houses. She began her career in the 1940s as a concert singer but did not draw wider acclaim until she began singing opera in her late thirties...
, Gohar GasparyanGohar GasparyanGohar Gasparyan also known as the "Armenian nightingale", was an Armenian opera singer.Born in an Armenian family in Cairo, Gasparyan studied at a Music Academy in the city...
, Pavel LisitsianPavel LisitsianPavel Gerasimovich Lisitsian was a Soviet baritone opera singer who performed in the Bolshoi Opera, Moscow from 1940 until his retirement from stage in 1966....
, Lusine ZakaryanLusine ZakaryanLusine Zakaryan, born Svetlana Zakaryan Լուսինե Զաքարյան, Лусинэ Абетовна Закарян , was an Armenian soprano....
, Vladimir Zakharov and others.
Works
Important works include:- 1946 Polyphonic Sonata in 3 movements;
- 1948 Cantata about the Motherland for soloist, choir and symphony orchestra in 5 movements (words by Ashot Grashi and SarmenSarmenSarmen , pseudonym of Armenak Sarkisyan was a Soviet Armenian renowned poet.He wrote the lyrics to the Anthem of the Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic which remained in use from 1944 to 1991 in the Armenian SSR....
); - 1949 Festive Overture for symphony orchestra;
- 1950 Concerto for trumpet and symphony orchestra (dedicated to Haykaz Mesiayan);
- 1950 Armenian Rhapsody (co-author: Arno Babajanyan)
- 1951 Concertino for piano and symphony orchestra in 3 movements (dedicated to Arutiunian's daughter, Narine)
- 1952 Armenian Dances for symphony orchestra in 5 movements;
- 1955 Concert Scherzo for trumpet and symphony orchestra
- 1957 Symphony in 4 movements (dedicated to Tamara Odenova, spouse and friend)
- 1957 Armenian Fantasy for pops band (co-author: Konstantin OrbelyanKonstantin OrbelyanKonstantin Aghaparoni Orbelyan is an Armenian pianist, composer, head of the State Estrada Orchestra of Armenia. People's Artist of USSR , Union of Soviet Composers Board member, Armenian Composer's Union secretary since 1983, Vice-President of All-Soviet Musical Society of the USSR.-External...
) - 1960 A Legend about the Armenian People vocal-symphonic poem in 4 movements (words by Ashot Grashi)
- 1964 Concerto-Fantasy [5 Contrasts] for wind quintet and symphony orchestra;
- 1966 Sinfonietta for string orchestra in 4 movements;
- 1969 Sayat-Nova, opera in three acts, libretto: H.Khanjyan;
- 1973 Theme with Variations for trumpet and symphony orchestra;
- 1980 Concerto for flute and string orchestra in 2 movements;
- 1984 Armenian Sketches suite for brass quintet in 4 movements;
- 1986 Sasuntsis’ dance for string quartet and piano (arrangement);
- 1988 Concerto for violin and string orchestra in 4 movements (dedicated to Ruben Aharonyan);
- 1989 Dance for four trombones;
- 1990 Rhapsody for trumpet and pops band;
- 1991 Concerto for trombone and symphony orchestra in 3 movements (dedicated to Michel Beke);
- 1992 Concerto for tuba and symphony orchestra in 3 movements (dedicated to Roger BoboRoger BoboRoger Bobo b. 1938 is a renowned and critically acclaimed American tuba virtuoso and internationally respected brass pedagogue. He retired from active tuba performance in 2001 in order to devote his time to conducting and teaching. He gave what is reputed to be the first solo tuba recital in the...
) - 1998 Suite for oboe, horn and piano in 3 movements
- 2004 Children's Album for piano
Music for Films
- Nahapet (1977) (as Life Triumphs in USA)
- Za chas do rassveta (An Hour Before the Dawn, 1973, TV)
- Sirtn e yergum (The Heart Sings, 1957)
- Urvakannere heranum en lernerits (Ghosts Leave the Peaks, 1955)
- Aleph, lectures contades (2000) Italian TV episode (soundtrack: "Concerto for trombone and orchestra")
Biographies
- I.Yolyan, Alexander Arutiunian, Moscow, 1962 (in Russian)
- M.Kokzhayev, The stylistic peculiarities of Alexander Arutiunian’s compositions, Moscow, 2006 (in Russian)
Dictionary articles
- Arutiunian, Alexander by Don Michael Randel, in 'The Harvard concise dictionary of music and musicians', 1999, 757 pages, p. 36
- Alexander Arutiunian in Great Soviet EncyclopediaGreat Soviet EncyclopediaThe Great Soviet Encyclopedia is one of the largest and most comprehensive encyclopedias in Russian and in the world, issued by the Soviet state from 1926 to 1990, and again since 2002 .-Editions:There were three editions...
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