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Biography

"I was born on Saturday, June 6, 1903 in Kodzhori (now Tbilisi), the suburb of Tiflis. My father, Yeghia was born in the village of Upper Aza and moved to Tiflis at the age of 13; he owned a bookbinding shop by the age of 25. My mother, Kumash, was from Lower Aza. My parents were engaged, before knowing each other, when my mother was 9 and my father was 19. My father married 16-year-old Kumash and brought her to Tiflis, where all five children were born: the eldest daughter Ashken (died at the age of one and a half) and four brothers - Suren, Vaginak, Levon and me”.

The Khachaturian’s family, 1913
Left to right, sitting: brother Suren, mother Kumash, Aram, father Eghia, brother Levon.
Left to right, standing: Sara Dunaeva (Suren’s wife), brother Vaghinak and his wife Arusyak.

1911-1913

Primary education in the boarding school of Princess Argutinskaya-Dolgorukoya.

1913-1921

Studying at a commercial school in Tiflis, taking part in the amateur brass band.

1915

Trying to escape from Turkish persecution in Ekaterinodar (Krasnodar). Turkish troops do not invade Tiflis, and Khachaturian's family returns home.

1919

First visit to Tbilisi Opera House, enjoying the opera of Z.P. Paliashvili “Abesalom and Eteri”.

1921

A trip to Armenia together with a group of Armenian representatives of culture.

Moving to Moscow to his brother’s Suren’s place.

1922-1924

The courses and classes at Moscow State University /the Faculty of Physics-mathematics, the Department of Biology/.

The years of education at Gnessin Music School /class of cello/.

Aram Khachaturian got his first musical education from the age of 19.

1925-1928

The years of study in the class of composition of М. Gnessin (the same year, Aram Khachaturian left his studies at the University and devotes himself entirely to music).

Activity in the House of Culture of Armenia in Moscow.

The meeting with prominent representatives of Armenian culture – composer Al. Spendiaryan, artist M. Saryan.

Music for many performances of the Second Armenian Drama Studio, created by his brother Suren Khachaturian and directed by Ruben Simonov. "Uncle Baghdasar" (1927), "Khatabala" (1928), "Oriental Dentist" (1928) etc.

Trip to Armenia with the Second Armenian Drama Studio (1928).

1926-1929

First compositions: "Poem" for piano, "Dance" and "Song-poem" for violin and piano, etc.

1929

Graduation from Gnessin Music School.

Entering the Moscow State Conservatory /the class of composition under the guidance of M. Gnessin, then N. Myaskovsky/.

Marriage with Romella Barseghyan.

First publications of compositions: "Poem" for piano, "Dance" and "Song-poem" for violin and piano.

1930

Maestro’s daughter, Nune Khachaturian, was born.

1932

Aram Khachaturian became a member of the Union of Composers of the USSR.

1933

First performance of the Trio for clarinet, violin and piano. Meeting with the composer S.S. Prokofiev. In Paris, with Prokofiev’s assistance Khachaturian’s Trio was performed in a concert of the Triton Society.

Marriage to N. Makarova, a student of Myaskovsky’s composition  class.

First performance of three movements from the “Dance Suite” in the       Great Hall of the Moscow Conservatory.

1934

Graduated with honors from Moscow State Conservatory. His  name is inscribed on the Marble Board of Distinction. The First Symphony was presented as a diploma work. Admission   to the postgraduate course in the class of Professor N.Myaskovsky.

1935

Premiere of the First Symphony in Moscow by the Moscow   Philharmonic Orchestra (conductorz: Eugen Szenkar).

Release of the film “Pepo” /Composer: A.Khachaturian/.

1936

The end of Postgraduate course.

Piano Concerto /diploma work/.

The first recital in the hall of Moscow House of Culture of Armenia.

Performance of the 1st part of the Piano Concerto (arranged for    two pianos).

1937

Election as deputy chairman of Moscow branch of the Union of Composers. The first performance of the Piano Concerto in Moscow (soloist L. Oborin, conductor L. Steinberg).

1938

Election as a deputy of the Supreme Soviet of the Armenian SSR.

Release of the film “Zangezur” /Composer: A. Khachaturian/.

1939

Election as Deputy Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the Union of Composers of the USSR. A trip to Armenia. Working on the ballet “Happiness”. The first performance of the ballet “Happiness” at the Armenian Opera and Ballet Theater (choreographer: I. Arbatov). Performance of the ballet “Happiness” at the Bolshoi Theater during the Decade of Armenian Art in  Moscow.

1940

Music for the comedy “The Valencian Widow” by Lope de Vega. The first performance of the Concerto for violin and orchestra  in Moscow (USSR State Symphony Orchestra, soloist D.Oistrakh, conductor A.Gauk).

1941

The premiere of Lermontov’s drama “Masquerade” /composer: A. Khachaturian/ at Moscow Art Theatre.

Stalin Prize Award for the Violin Concerto with the Orchestra.

1942

The ballet “Gayane” was completed.

Premiere of the ballet “Gayane” in Perm (December 9th ), staged by Leningrad Opera and Ballet Theater (choreographer N. Anisimova).

1943

The first performance of the 1st suite from the music to the ballet “Gayane” in Moscow. First performance of the 2nd Symphony in the Great Hall of the Moscow Conservatory (USSR State Symphony Orchestra, conductor B. Khaikin). USSR State Prize for the ballet “Gayane” /Maestro sent all the money for the award for military needs/.

1944

Creation of the National Anthem of the Armenian SSR. :

Performance of the new version of the 2nd Symphony (conductor A. Gauk).

1945

The present from the Government of the Armenian SSR – a private house in the centre of Yerevan, Armenia, based on which theէ museum was founded in 1978 .
The interview on the All-union Radio about “Symphonic music”.

1946

First performance of the Concerto for Cello and Orchestra in the Great Hall of Moscow Conservatory (USSR State Symphony Orchestra, soloist S. Knushevitsky, conductor A. Gauk). Creation of “Three arias for soprano”.

1947

Participation as a member of the jury of the International Competition of Musicians at the First Festival of Democratic Youth and Students in Prague. Premiere of the ballet “Gayane” at the Armenian Opera and Ballet Theater (choreographer N. Anisimova).

First performance of the 3rd Symphony in the Great Hall of Leningrad Philharmonic (Leningrad Philharmonic Orchestra, conductor Y. Mravinsky).

1948

Maestro was charged for formalism.

The trip around Armenia /autumn/.

The first performance of “Ode to the Memory of V. Lenin” in the Great Hall of the Moscow Conservatory (Grand Symphony Orchestra of the All-Union Radio Committee, conductor A. Gauk).

1949

Release of the film “Battle of Stalingrad” /Composer: A. Khachaturian/. 

1950

Started performing as a conductor.

The beginning of pedagogical activity at the Gnessin Music Institute and  Moscow Conservatory (composition class).

The first symphonic recitals in Moscow.

The first concert tours in Yaroslavl and Rybinsk.

The first performance of the “Solemn Poem” in the Great Hall of the Moscow Conservatory (Grand Symphony Orchestra of the All-Union Radio Committee, conductor A. Gauk).

A trip to Italy as a member of the delegation of Soviet cultural representatives    and the first performance in Rome, with Rome Radio Symphony Orchestra.

Participation in the First Plenary of the Union of Composers in Prague, Czechoslovakia.

Started working on the ballet “Spartacus”.

1951

Tours in Ukraine - performances with the symphony recitals in Kiev, Odessa and Kharkov (philharmonic orchestras, soloists D. Oistrakh and S. Knushevitsky).

A trip to Iceland as a member of a delegation of cultural representatives of the  Soviet Union to participate in the Month of Friendship of Iceland - USSR    Society, and performance in a symphony concert in Reykjavik.

Delegate of the Second All-Union Conference of Peace Supporters.

Symphony recitals in Yerevan (Philharmonic orchestras, soloists D.Oistrakh and A.Kaplan).

1952

Approved as a professor at Moscow State Conservatory and  Gnessin Music Institute.

Authorial symphony concert in Moscow in the Hall of Columns of  the  House of the Unions (Grand Symphony Orchestra of the All-Union Radio Committee, soloist L. Kogan).

A trip to Bulgaria and performances in authorial symphony concerts.

The new performance of the ballet “Gayane” /choreographer: N.Anisimova/ in the Opera and Ballet Theatre after S.Kirov in Leningrad.

1953

Authorial symphony concert in Leningrad.

A trip to Italy as a member of the Soviet delegation to participate in the Month of Friendship  of Italy-USSR Society.

Concert tour in Riga (Latvian Radio Orchestra, soloists D. Oistrakh and L. Oborin).

1954

Trip to England and symphonic recitals in London, Liverpool, Manchester /soloists: M.Limpani and D. Oistrakh/.

Symphonic recitals in Talin /Estonian Orchestra, soloists: L.Kogan and S. Knushevitsky/.

Concert tours in Armenia, 18 symphonic recitals /State Symphonic Orchestra of Armenia/.

The completion of the ballet “Spartacus”.

The music for B.Lavrenev’s drama “Lermontov”.

1955

Tours in the cities of Finland.

The first performance of “Ode to Joy” at the Bolshoi Theater in Moscow (Orchestra of the Armenian Opera and Ballet Theatre, conductor M. Tavrizian).

1956

Premiere of the ballet “Spartacus” at Leningrad Opera and Ballet Theater (choreographer L. Yakobson).

A trip to Budapest to participate in the celebration of the birthday anniversary of the composer Béla Bartók.

1957

Premiere of a new performance of the ballet “Gayane” at the Bolshoi Theater in Moscow (choreographer V. Vainonen).

A trip to Latin America and symphonic recitals in Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil.

A trip to Prague to participate in the preparatory works for ballet “Spartacus”.

Elected Secretary of the Board of the USSR Union of Composers.

1958

Premiere of ballet “Spartacus” at the Bolshoi Theater in Moscow (choreographer I. Moiseev), /March 11th/.

Tour with the composer D.Kabalevsky in Western Siberia, Kuzbass and Altai.

Election of A. Khachaturian as a deputy of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR.

1959

A trip to Austria to participate as a jury member in the International Festival of  Democratic Youth and Students in Vienna.

Election as a member of the Presidium of the Union of Friendship Societies and Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries and President of the Soviet Association of the USSR - Latin America.

Lenin’s Prize for the ballet “Spartacus”.

1960

A trip to the countries of Latin America and Europe and performances in the authorial symphony concerts in the cities of Mexico, Venezuela, Colombia, Cuba and the cities of France and Belgium.

Meeting in Havana with E. Hemingway, Che Guevara, Fidel      Castro. Meetings in Paris with D. Millau, O. Messiaen, A. Jolivet, F. Poulenc, M. Long.

Concert tours in Armenia (Armenian Philharmonic Orchestra, soloists S. Knushevitsky, A.Vartanian).

Authorial symphony concerts in Belgium.

Election as an Honorary Academician of the Italian National Academy of Art “Santa Cecilia” in Rome; Honorary Professor at the Mexican Conservatory in Mexico City and an Honorary Member of the University of Mexico in Morelia.

The performance of  the ballet “Spartacus” in Riga Opera House /choreographer: E.Changa/.

1961

Concert tours in the GDR, Austria and Italy. Symphonic recitals in Egypt and Lebanon.

Meeting with the President of Egypt Gamal Abdel Nasser and Yugoslav President Josip Broz Tito.

Authorial concerts in Leningrad (soloists D.Shafran and Zh.Ter- Mergerian).

A trip to Bulgaria to participate in the preparatory work for the ballet “Gayane” in Sofia.

The premiere of  the ballet “Spartacus” in Yerevan, in Opera and Ballet Theatre after Al.Spendiaryan /Director: E.Changa, conductor: A.Voskanian, art director: A.Mirzoyan/.

Medal of “Science and Art of United Arab Republic” for an outstanding musical activity.

Elected as a member-correspondent of the Art Academy in the GDR.

Concert-rhapsody for violin dedicated to L.Kogan.

Sonata for piano, dedicated to the memory of N.Myaskovsky.

1962

New performance of the ballet “Spartacus” at the Bolshoi Theater in Moscow (choreographer L. Yakobson).

Performances in the authorial symphony concerts in Poland, during “Warsaw autumn” festival.

The first performance of the Concert-Rhapsody for Violin and Orchestra in Yaroslavl (Yaroslavl Philharmonic Orchestra, conductor I. Gusman, soloist L.Kogan).

1963

A trip to Vilnius connected to the performance of the ballet “Spartacus”.

Concert tour in Japan (soloists L.Oborin, L.Kogan). Meeting with the Japanese composer K. Yamada.

Tours in Italy. A reception at the Vatican by Pope John XXIII.

Anniversary authorial concerts in connection with the 60th birthday anniversary in Moscow, Leningrad, Kiev, Kharkov, Yerevan, Leninakan, Kirovakan, Tbilisi.

A trip to Romania to participate in a joint meeting of the secretariat of the Union of Composers of the USSR and Romania.

Election as a full member of the Academy of Sciences of the Armenian SSR.

Election as a corresponding member of the Academy of Arts of the GDR.

Meeting with Igor Stravinsky.

Concert-rhapsody for cello with the orchestra, dedicated to M.Rostropovich.

1964

A trip to Holland and the GDR and performances in authorial sympho ny concerts.

A trip to Bucharest to participate in the jury of the J. Enescu Piano    Competition.

First performance of Concert-rhapsody for cello with the orchestra in Gorky.

Stay in Vilnius connected to performance of the ballet “Spartacus”

1965

A trip to Switzerland to participate in the jury of the International Violin Competition. Meeting in Switzerland with Charlie Chaplin.

A trip to Romania at the invitation of the Romanian Radio to record the Violin Concerto with the symphony orchestra.

Symphonic recitals in Athens International Festival. Greece cities concert tour (soloists J. Flier, V. Pikaisen, N. Shakhovskaya).

Award of the Degree of Doctor of Arts.

Awarded the medal of Mkhitarian Community /Italy, Saint Lazare Coast/.

Awarded a medal of Shahinshah of Iran.

1967

Participation in the Festival, held in the cities of the Volga region.

Participation in the Fifth Congress of Latvian Composers in Riga.

1968

A trip to the United States of America and performances in authorial symphony concerts in Washington D.C., New York, Chicago, Indianapolis, Detroit, Hartford, Kansas City, Rochester (soloist K.Georgian).

Performance of the ballet “Spartacus” at the Bolshoi Theater in Moscow in a new choreographic version /3rd performance/ by Y. Grigorovich, /conductor: G. Rozhdestvensky, art director: S.Virsaladze, Spartacus: V.Vasiliev, Frigia: E.Maximova, Egina: N.Timofeeva, Crassus: M.Liepa/.

The first performance of the Concert-Rhapsody for Piano and Orchestra in the Great Hall of the Moscow Conservatory (Grand Symphony   Orchestra of the All-Union Radio and Central Television, conductor G. Rozhdestvensky, soloist N. Petrov).

Trips to Warsaw and Budapest in connection with performances of “Spartacus.”

1969

A trip to Yugoslavia to meet with Yugoslav composers.

Authorial symphony concerts in Bulgaria (soloist K.Georgian).

1970

A trip to the GDR and West Berlin and performances in authorial symphony concerts.

1971

Trips to Holland, Norway and Germany, and performances in authorial concerts (soloists K.Georgian, V.Pikaisen).

Participation in the celebration of the 100th birthday anniversary of Al. Spendiaryan in Yerevan. Trip to Czechoslovakia and meeting with Czechoslovak composers.

Awarded the State Prize of USSR for the music for triad of concert-rhapsodies for violin, cello and piano with the orchestra.

1972

Authorial concerts in Yerevan (soloists K.Georgian, N.Petrov). Tours in Minsk.

Trip to the United States of America.

A trip to France and participation in the Congress “In Defence of the Greek Patriots”.

A trip to Czechoslovakia and participation in the authorial symphony concert in Bratislava, which opened the International Music  Festival.

The performance of the ballet “Gayane” in the Musical Theatre after K.Stanislavsky and Vl. Nemirovich-Danchenko in the choreographic version of A.Chichinadze and on the stage of the Small Opera Hall in Leningrad in the choreographic version of B.Eifman.

Election as an Honorary Professor of Kiev State Conservatory.

A trip to Yerevan for the funeral of M.Saryan.

One of the streets in Yerevan is anmed after A.Khachaturian.

1973

Anniversary authorial concerts in connection with the 70th birthday anniversary in Moscow, Tbilisi, Yerevan, Leninakan, Kirovakan and Leningrad.

Science Session of the Department of Social Sciences of Armenian SSR.

A trip to Armenia, Yerevan, the jubilee evening in the Opera and Ballet Theatre after Al.Spendiaryan.

1974

The performance of the ballet “Gayane” in the Opera and Ballet Theatre after Al.Spendiaryan in the choreographic version of V.Galstyan /art director: M.Avetisyan, Gayane: N.Davtyan, Armen: V.Galstyan/.

Concerts in West Berlin.

Participation in the International Music Festival in Monaco.

Honoring in Paris in connection with the 70th birthday anniversary.

Sonata-fantasy for cello solo.

1975

Participation in the festival “Transcaucasian Music Spring” in Tbilisi.

Visiting Hungary as a member of the delegation of Soviet musicians.

Performance of Cello Sonata in Budapest.

Authorial symphony concerts in Austria and Finalnd.

A trip to Poland /Lodz/, in connection with   the performance of “Gayane”.

Sonata-monologue for violin solo, dedicated to V.Pikayzen.

1976

The death of Khachaturyan's wife - composer Nina Makarova.

A trip to Riga in connection with the production of the ballet "Gayane" (choreographer: B. Eifman).

Sonata-song for viola solo.

The decision to create a Maestro’s house-museum in Yerevan /July 21/.

1977

Concert tours in the UK /London/, Belgium, twice to France /Paris for recovering/, the USA /Honolulu/,  Armenia /Yerevan/.

1978

Maestro heads the jury of the All-Union competition of student composers at Moscow Conservatory /January/.

5.03.1978 - Giving a speech at a dinner in memory of S. Prokofiev.

1.05.1978 – one month and 5 days before his 75th birthday, Aram Khachaturian passed away.

5.05.1978 – Memorial service in the Great Hall of the Conservatory

6.05.1978 - Memorial service at the National Academic Opera and Ballet Theater of Armenia after Al. Spendiaryan.

6.05.1978 – Maestro’s funeral at Yerevan Komitas Pantheon.

23.01.1984 – Aram Khachaturyan Museum’s exhibition opening.

1978

THE HOUSE-MUSEUM OF ARAM KHACHATRYAN IS FOUNDED.

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