Role

:

Composer Conductor  

Birth

:

1920

Death

:

July 19, 2011

Period

:

Modern

Genre

:

Chamber

 

Karen Khachaturian was a prominent classical music composer of the 20th century. Born on May 27, 1920, in Tbilisi, Georgia, Karen was the youngest of three brothers, all of whom became renowned composers. His father, Avetis Khachaturian, was a prominent composer and music educator, and his mother, Kumash Sarkisovna, was a talented pianist. Karen grew up in a musical household and began his music education at an early age. He studied piano with his mother and later with Alexander Dolukhanian, a renowned pianist and composer. He also studied composition with his father and later with Nikolai Myaskovsky, a prominent Russian composer. In 1939, Karen and his family moved to Moscow, where he continued his music education at the Moscow Conservatory. He studied composition with Vissarion Shebalin and piano with Yakov Flier. During his time at the conservatory, Karen became interested in Armenian folk music, which would later influence his compositions. Karen's first major composition was his Piano Concerto, which he completed in 1946. The concerto was well-received and helped establish Karen as a promising young composer. He went on to compose a number of other works, including symphonies, ballets, and chamber music. One of Karen's most famous works is his ballet Spartacus, which he composed in 1954. The ballet tells the story of the Roman slave revolt led by Spartacus in 73-71 BC. The ballet was a huge success and has since become one of the most popular ballets in the classical repertoire. Karen's other notable works include his Symphony No. 1, which he composed in 1947, and his Symphony No. 2, which he composed in 1963. Both symphonies showcase Karen's unique style, which blends traditional classical music with Armenian folk music. In addition to his work as a composer, Karen was also a respected music educator. He taught at the Moscow Conservatory from 1951 to 1991 and was known for his dedication to his students. Many of his students went on to become successful composers in their own right. Karen received numerous awards and honors throughout his career, including the Stalin Prize in 1950 and the People's Artist of the USSR in 1974. He was also a member of the Union of Soviet Composers and the Armenian Academy of Sciences. Karen Khachaturian passed away on October 19, 2011, at the age of 91. He left behind a legacy as one of the most important composers of the 20th century, whose works continue to be performed and celebrated around the world.

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