Ghazaros Saryan

Born in Rostov-on-Don. In 1934-38 he studied at the Yerevan Conservatory and then at the Gnessin Music College in Moscow. He took part in the Second World War (1941-45). In 1950 he graduated from the composition department of the Moscow Conservatory. From that same year he taught at the Yerevan Komitas State Conservatory, where in 1960-86 he was rector and in 1986-90 head of the composition department (professor from 1972). In 1955-56 he was president of the Union of Composers of Armenia. In 1983 he received the State Prize of the RA, and in 1986 the Order of Friendship of Peoples of the USSR. He was awarded the Order of the Badge of Honour. In 1972 he was awarded the title of People's Artist of Armenia, and in 1990 that of People's Artist of the USSR. He died in Yerevan.