Khachatur Avetissian
Encyclopedia
Khachatur Avetisyan (Armenian
: Խաչատուր Ավետիսյան, Xačatur Avetisyan; alternate transliterations include Avetisian or Avetissian) was an influential Armenian
composer
.
Avetisyan was born in Leninakan, Armenian SSR
(now Gyumri
, Armenia
). He graduated from the Yerevan State Musical Conservatory
where he studied composition with professor Edvard Mirzoyan
. At age 25 he was the first Armenian composer honored with gold medals in the Berlin
and Moscow
international competitions. In addition to his studies in classical music, Avetisyan became an authority in Armenian folk music and traditional instruments, especially the kanun
. He composed the first Concerto for Kanun and Symphony Orchestra in 1954. Avetisyan dedicated his creative life to researching and developing the performance practice of the Armenian folk music.
Avetisyan founded the Folk Music Department of the Komitas National Conservatory in 1978 where, under his guidance, an entire generation of master instrumentalists were trained. He created numerous famous songs, ballet
, oratorio
, film and dance music, as well as a large number of works for various folk instruments. His brilliant melodic work reveal a refined lyricism. In 1958 he assumed the role of the artistic director of National Dance Ensemble, and later, the Tatoul Altunian Song and Dance Ensemble, where his new folk instrumental and vocal music became a staple of the repertory
.
, Yerevan State Symphony Orchestra and guest conductor with many European orchestras, he is currently the conductor of Glendale Philharmonic Orchestra and Music Director of the Armenian Society of Los Angeles Choir.
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...
: Խաչատուր Ավետիսյան, Xačatur Avetisyan; alternate transliterations include Avetisian or Avetissian) was an influential Armenian
Armenians
Armenian people or Armenians are a nation and ethnic group native to the Armenian Highland.The largest concentration is in Armenia having a nearly-homogeneous population with 97.9% or 3,145,354 being ethnic Armenian....
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...
.
Avetisyan was born in Leninakan, 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...
(now Gyumri
Gyumri
Gyumri is the capital and largest city of the Shirak Province in northwest Armenia. It is located about 120 km from the capital Yerevan, and, with a population of 168,918 , is the second-largest city in Armenia.The name of the city has been changed many times in history...
, Armenia
Armenia
Armenia , officially the Republic of Armenia , is a landlocked mountainous country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia...
). He graduated from the Yerevan State Musical Conservatory
Yerevan State Musical Conservatory
Yerevan State Musical Conservatory or Yerevan Komitas State Conservatory, is a conservatory located in Yerevan, Armenia. It was founded in 1921 as a music studio, and re-founded two years later as a higher musical education institution.-History:...
where he studied composition with professor Edvard Mirzoyan
Edvard Mirzoyan
Edvard Mirzoyan , is an Armenian composer.Mirzoyan was born in Gori, Georgia. Initially schooled in music in Yerevan and graduated from the Komitas State Conservatory, Mirzoyan went on to Moscow to further refine his art. In late 1956 he was elected president of the Armenian Composers’ Union, a...
. At age 25 he was the first Armenian composer honored with gold medals in the Berlin
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
and 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...
international competitions. In addition to his studies in classical music, Avetisyan became an authority in Armenian folk music and traditional instruments, especially the kanun
Kanun (Instrument)
The Qanun is a string instrument found in the 10th century in Farab in Turkestan...
. He composed the first Concerto for Kanun and Symphony Orchestra in 1954. Avetisyan dedicated his creative life to researching and developing the performance practice of the Armenian folk music.
Avetisyan founded the Folk Music Department of the Komitas National Conservatory in 1978 where, under his guidance, an entire generation of master instrumentalists were trained. He created numerous famous songs, ballet
Ballet
Ballet is a type of performance dance, that originated in the Italian Renaissance courts of the 15th century, and which was further developed in France and Russia as a concert dance form. The early portions preceded the invention of the proscenium stage and were presented in large chambers with...
, oratorio
Oratorio
An oratorio is a large musical composition including an orchestra, a choir, and soloists. Like an opera, an oratorio includes the use of a choir, soloists, an ensemble, various distinguishable characters, and arias...
, film and dance music, as well as a large number of works for various folk instruments. His brilliant melodic work reveal a refined lyricism. In 1958 he assumed the role of the artistic director of National Dance Ensemble, and later, the Tatoul Altunian Song and Dance Ensemble, where his new folk instrumental and vocal music became a staple of the repertory
Repertory
Repertory or rep, also called stock in the United States, is a term used in Western theatre and opera.A repertory theatre can be a theatre in which a resident company presents works from a specified repertoire, usually in alternation or rotation...
.
Personal
He married Armenian folk dancer Sona Avetisyan. His son Dr. Mikael Avetisyan is the former conductor of Armenian Philharmonic OrchestraArmenian 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....
, Yerevan State Symphony Orchestra and guest conductor with many European orchestras, he is currently the conductor of Glendale Philharmonic Orchestra and Music Director of the Armenian Society of Los Angeles Choir.