Role

:

Ensemble

Period

:

Classical

 

 

Modern

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Vocal

 

The Komitas Quartet is a renowned classical music ensemble that has been captivating audiences with their exceptional performances for over 50 years. The quartet was founded in 1963 in Yerevan, Armenia, by four talented musicians who shared a passion for chamber music and a desire to showcase the rich cultural heritage of their homeland. The founding members of the Komitas Quartet were violinists Levon Ambartsumian and Arshak Kuzikyan, violist Ara Berberian, and cellist Sergei Aslamazyan. All four musicians had received extensive training in classical music and had already established themselves as accomplished performers in their own right. However, it was their shared vision and commitment to excellence that brought them together to form the Komitas Quartet. The quartet took its name from the renowned Armenian composer and ethnomusicologist Komitas Vardapet, who is widely regarded as the father of Armenian classical music. The quartet's repertoire includes a wide range of classical music, from the works of Haydn and Mozart to contemporary composers such as Arvo Pärt and John Adams. However, they are particularly known for their interpretations of Armenian classical music, which they have helped to popularize around the world. Over the years, the Komitas Quartet has performed in some of the world's most prestigious concert halls, including Carnegie Hall in New York, the Royal Albert Hall in London, and the Berlin Philharmonic. They have also collaborated with some of the world's leading musicians, including cellist Mstislav Rostropovich and pianist Martha Argerich. One of the highlights of the Komitas Quartet's career was their performance at the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary, Canada. The quartet was invited to perform at the opening ceremony, where they played a medley of traditional Armenian folk songs. The performance was widely praised for its beauty and elegance, and it helped to introduce Armenian music to a global audience. The Komitas Quartet has also received numerous awards and accolades for their outstanding performances. In 1970, they were awarded the First Prize at the International String Quartet Competition in Liege, Belgium. They have also been awarded the State Prize of Armenia, the Medal of Honor of the Republic of Armenia, and the Movses Khorenatsi Medal, which is the highest civilian award in Armenia. Despite the many accolades and achievements of the Komitas Quartet, their greatest legacy may be the impact they have had on Armenian classical music. Through their performances and recordings, they have helped to preserve and promote the rich cultural heritage of their homeland, and they have inspired a new generation of musicians to explore and celebrate Armenian music. Today, the Komitas Quartet continues to perform and record, with Levon Ambartsumian and Sergei Aslamazyan still serving as members of the ensemble. They remain committed to their mission of sharing the beauty and richness of Armenian classical music with audiences around the world, and they continue to inspire and delight music lovers everywhere with their exceptional performances.

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