Birth

:

January 26, 1924 in New York City, NY

Death

:

June 13, 2016 in New York City, NY

Period

:

Modern

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Film

 

Anahid Ajemian was a renowned classical music artist who was born on January 26, 1924, in New York City. She was the daughter of Armenian immigrants and grew up in a family that was passionate about music. Her father, Sarkis Ajemian, was a violinist and conductor, and her mother, Victoria, was a pianist. Anahid's siblings were also musically inclined, with her brother, Maro, becoming a cellist and her sister, Arax, becoming a pianist. Anahid began playing the violin at the age of six and quickly showed a natural talent for the instrument. She studied with some of the most renowned violin teachers of the time, including Ivan Galamian and Adolf Busch. She also attended the Juilliard School, where she earned a Bachelor of Music degree in 1944. After completing her studies, Anahid began her career as a soloist and chamber musician. She performed with some of the most prestigious orchestras in the world, including the New York Philharmonic, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and the London Symphony Orchestra. She also collaborated with many famous conductors, such as Leonard Bernstein, Pierre Boulez, and Seiji Ozawa. One of the highlights of Anahid's career was her performance of the Violin Concerto by Alban Berg with the New York Philharmonic in 1959. This performance was particularly significant because it was the first time the concerto had been performed in the United States since its premiere in 1936. Anahid's interpretation of the piece was widely praised, and it helped to establish her as one of the leading violinists of her generation. Anahid was also a passionate advocate for contemporary music. She worked closely with many composers, including Elliott Carter, George Crumb, and Milton Babbitt, to premiere new works for the violin. She was particularly interested in exploring the possibilities of extended techniques, such as playing behind the bridge or using harmonics, to create new sounds and textures. In addition to her work as a soloist and chamber musician, Anahid was also a dedicated teacher. She taught at the Juilliard School, the Manhattan School of Music, and the State University of New York at Stony Brook. Many of her students went on to have successful careers as performers and teachers themselves. Throughout her career, Anahid received many awards and honors for her contributions to classical music. In 1962, she was awarded the first prize in the International Competition for Musical Performers in Geneva, Switzerland. She was also a recipient of the National Endowment for the Arts Solo Recitalist Award and the American Academy of Arts and Letters Award. Anahid continued to perform and teach well into her later years. She passed away on June 13, 2016, at the age of 92. Her legacy as a performer, teacher, and advocate for contemporary music continues to inspire musicians around the world.

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