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Composer

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Concerto

 

 

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Alexander Arutyunyan, also known as Arno Babadjanian, was a renowned Armenian composer and pianist. He was born on January 22, 1921, in Yerevan, Armenia, to a family of musicians. His father was a composer and conductor, and his mother was a singer. Arutyunyan showed an early interest in music and began playing the piano at the age of five. Arutyunyan's family moved to Tbilisi, Georgia, when he was nine years old. There, he continued his music education and studied piano with famous Georgian pianist and composer Vissarion Shebalin. Arutyunyan's talent was evident from a young age, and he quickly gained recognition as a prodigy pianist. In 1938, Arutyunyan enrolled at the Moscow Conservatory, where he studied composition with Nikolai Myaskovsky and piano with Konstantin Igumnov. He graduated in 1941, just as World War II was beginning. Arutyunyan was drafted into the Soviet Army and served as a military musician, playing the piano and composing music for the troops. After the war, Arutyunyan returned to Moscow and began his career as a composer. He quickly gained recognition for his unique style, which blended elements of Armenian folk music with classical music. His compositions were characterized by their rich harmonies, lyrical melodies, and virtuosic piano writing. One of Arutyunyan's most famous works is his Piano Concerto in B-flat minor, which he composed in 1950. The concerto is a tour de force for the piano, with virtuosic passages and intricate rhythms. It also features elements of Armenian folk music, particularly in the second movement, which is a lyrical and melancholy adagio. Arutyunyan's other notable works include his Symphony No. 1, which he composed in 1948, and his Trio for Clarinet, Violin, and Piano, which he composed in 1972. He also wrote numerous solo piano works, including his Poem, Impromptu, and Elegy. In addition to his work as a composer, Arutyunyan was also a renowned pianist. He performed extensively throughout the Soviet Union and Europe, and his recordings of his own works are considered some of the definitive interpretations. Arutyunyan was a prolific composer, and his output includes over 200 works in a variety of genres, including orchestral, chamber, vocal, and piano music. His music is characterized by its emotional depth, technical virtuosity, and unique blend of Armenian and classical influences. Arutyunyan received numerous awards and honors throughout his career, including the title of People's Artist of the USSR in 1971. He died on November 11, 1983, in Moscow, leaving behind a legacy as one of the most important composers of the 20th century. His music continues to be performed and recorded by musicians around the world, and his influence can be heard in the work of many contemporary composers.

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