Aram Khachaturian

1903 - 1978

Armenian

Summary

Aram Ilich Khachaturian was born near Tiflis on 6 June 1903 and died in Moscow on 1 May 1978. Educated at the Gnesin School and the Moscow Conservatory, Khachaturian emerged — along with Prokofiev and Shostakovich — as one of the most popular and successful composers of the Soviet period. His unique musical idiom was indelibly marked by his Armenian heritage; his scores are noted for their sensuous, singing melodic writing, colorful orchestration, and elemental rhythmic drive. Known in the West chiefly as the composer of instrumental concerti and the vivid scores for the ballets Gayaneh and Spartacus (the former including the brilliant 'Sabre Dance'), his output also encompassed symphonies and other works for orchestra, film and theater music, works for band, chamber music, and a large number of patriotic and popular songs.

Aram Khachaturian: an Introduction




The web documentary is presented by Boosey & Hawkes
and G. Schirmer/AMP and is directed by Tommy Pearson
of Red Ted Films.

Recordings heard on this video are courtesy of:
   Onyx Classics
   Chandos Records
   Naxos

Video footage is licensed with kind permission from
'Khachaturian,' directed by Peter Rosen, produced by the
Kuhn Foundation.

Biography

Aram Ilich Khachaturian was born near Tiflis on 6 June 1903 and died in Moscow on 1 May 1978. Educated at the Gnesin School and the Moscow Conservatory, Khachaturian emerged — along with Prokofiev and Shostakovich — as one of the most popular and successful composers of the Soviet period. His unique musical idiom was indelibly marked by his Armenian heritage; his scores are noted for their sensuous, singing melodic writing, colorful orchestration, and elemental rhythmic drive. Known in the West chiefly as the composer of instrumental concerti and the vivid scores for the ballets Gayaneh and Spartacus (the former including the brilliant 'Sabre Dance'), his output also encompassed symphonies and other works for orchestra, film and theater music, works for band, chamber music, and a large number of patriotic and popular songs.

Aram Khachaturian: an Introduction




The web documentary is presented by Boosey & Hawkes
and G. Schirmer/AMP and is directed by Tommy Pearson
of Red Ted Films.

Recordings heard on this video are courtesy of:
   Onyx Classics
   Chandos Records
   Naxos

Video footage is licensed with kind permission from
'Khachaturian,' directed by Peter Rosen, produced by the
Kuhn Foundation.

News

Performances

11th May 2026

PERFORMERS
Goshen High School Symphonic Orchestra
CONDUCTOR
Jason Pfeifer
LOCATION
Goshen High School, Goshen, IN, United States of America

17th May 2026

PERFORMERS
Wabash Valley Youth Symphony
CONDUCTOR
Chris Wild
LOCATION
Long Center, Lafayette, IN, United States of America

17th May 2026

PERFORMERS
Wabash Valley Youth Symphony
CONDUCTOR
Chris Wild
LOCATION
Long Center, Lafayette, IN, United States of America

30th May 2026

PERFORMERS
Orchestre Out Toulouse
CONDUCTOR
Jean-Guy Olive
LOCATION
Halle Couverte, Flourens, France

30th May 2026

SOLOISTS
Alan Murray
PERFORMERS
Westchester Chamber Soloists
CONDUCTOR
Ovidiu Marinescu
LOCATION
Sarah Lawrence College, Bronxville, NY, United States of America

Features

  • Khachaturian - Iconic Ballets to Orchestral Brilliance
    • Khachaturian - Iconic Ballets to Orchestral Brilliance
    • In 2025, Aram Khachaturian's music still resonates brilliantly. Find Wise Music Group's brief overview of some of the best and lesser-known works from his catalogue, which sometimes stray from the beaten track and offer new opportunities to rediscover his work.
  • Best Wise Music Recordings of 2025
    • Best Wise Music Recordings of 2025
    • 2025 saw the release of a myriad of recordings of works by Wise Music composers. From classical powerhouse labels to indie new music organizations, major symphony orchestras to chamber ensembles, opera houses to choirs, a broad range of collaborators has brought these works to life, generating both critical acclaim and powerful at-home listening experiences.
  • Russian Masters: Khachaturian Gems and Rarities

Photos

Discography