Performing Struggle of Representatives from 13 Countries
Aram Khachaturian is a great composer, standing at the peak of Armenian musical culture and having an unusually significant contribution to the classic music of the past century. His talent is revered and loved by connoisseurs of art, regardless of ethnicity; his works are understandable worldwide. The works of this talent are close to heart and loved by people on different continents, his music can truly be considered as the heritage of all mankind. UNESCO mentions the name of Khachaturian among the most famous composers of the twentieth century, and puts his “Sabre Dance” from the famous ballet “Gayane” on one of the first places in the list of the most popular works of our time.
It is impossible to overestimate the importance of the composer’s art for the world music culture. Taking into consideration this indisputable fact, from 2003 in June 6-13 in Yerevan is being held Aram Khachaturian international competition. Originally the competition was aimed at identifying talented young musicians in three specialties –
“Piano”, “Violin” and “Cello”, but since 2011 young composers also have been provided with an opportunity to participate in the competition.
Since 2007 State Youth Orchestra of Armenia (Artistic Director and Principal Conductor Sergey Smbatyan) has been the official orchestra of Aram Khachaturian International Competition.
Geography of participants is very wide, it incorporates representatives from the U.S., Canada, Mexico, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Belgium, Britain, China, Belgium and other countries. The project is implemented thanks to joint efforts of RA Ministry of Culture, “Aram Khachaturian-competition” Cultural Foundation and Yerevan Komitas State Conservatory. It is held under the high patronage of the First Lady of RA Mrs. Rita Sargsyan, who is the honorary chairman of the board of trustees of the competition.
In 2012 the third prize of the Aram Khachaturian International Competition was awarded to Nakamura Daichi from Japan, the first prize was shared between Pavel Milyukov from Russia and Tanabe Ayako from Japan, and the second prize was not awarded. For the first time in the history of the competition the jury made a decision to award the Grand Prix, and the lucky winner of the award became Fedor Roudine (Russia/ France), who was also awarded a special prize in the nomination “Audience Award”.
In 2013 on 6-14 June the 9th Aram Khachaturian International Competition will be held for cello specialty only. This year Yerevan will witness performing struggle of cultural representatives from 13 countries:
Ukraine
Russia
France
Greece
China
Romania
Norway
Spain
Italy
USA
South Korea
Armenia
Tajikistan
The jury staff is composed of such prominent musicians as Aleksey Seleznev (Russia), Anja Lechner (Germany), Aram Talalyan (Armenia), Cristian Florea (Moldova/Romania), Erkki Lahensmaa (Finland), Ole Akahoshi (USA/Japan), Tanya Dorn (Germany), Timora Rosler (Netherlands/Israel). A list of these names guarantees
impartiality and determines the status and high level of the competition.
The Aram Khachaturian International Competition Organizing Committee determines the following prizes for violin specialty: First Prize – $15 000 (US dollars) and Laureate Diploma Second Prize – $10 000 (US dollars) and Laureate Diploma Third Prize – $5 000 (US dollars) and Laureate Diploma Non-prize-winning finalists will each receive a $2,000 grant and a Diploma.
Consolidation of so many talented people of different nationalities within a single project has also another important result: the guests of the capital are being introduced to the age-old culture of Armenia, they are visiting the sights and later taking away with them wonderful memories of the land, which history goes far back in the days when Noah’s Ark settled on the biblical Mount Ararat.
It is noteworthy this year the classic music world celebrates the 110th anniversary of great Armenian composer Aram Khachaturian, on the occasion of which Aram Khachaturian International Festival will be held worldwide within the whole year. Diverse cultural events are planned to take place in the framework of the event.
The aim of the festival is to propagandize Khachaturian music all over the world. Particularly the State Youth Orchestra of Armenia headed by its Artistic Director and Principal Conductor Sergey Smbatyan will perform Khachaturian music in Riva del Garda (Italy), Moscow, Saint Petersburg, New York and many other countries.
