Hovhannes Chekijyan

Hovhannes Chekijyan was born in Istanbul, Turkey. From the age of five he began to play the piano. In his birthplace he studied at Mkhitaryan School and at the French College of Saint-Michel. In 1951 Chekijyan graduated from Istanbul Conservatory, and began postgraduate studies in 1961. Simultaneously, he refined his art at the “Ecole Normale de Musique” Conservatory (lectured by Prof. Jean Fournet, the principal conductor of the Paris Opera House). Chekijyan also attended the Institute of Chemistry, where he obtained a minor degree in chemical engineering. From 1944 to 1951, he headed the “Duryan” Choir of the Armenian Church in Istanbul. In 1947 he was the conductor of Istanbul Symphony Orchestra. From 1957 to 1961, he created and conducted the “Chekijyan” Choir. From 1958 to 1961, Chekijyan was the musical director of the Opera Theater and the chief conductor of the State Choir. In 1961 he moved to Yerevan and was appointed as an artistic director and a chief conductor of the Armenian State Choir. From 1982 to 1987, he was the conductor and artistic director of the A. Spendiaryan State Academic Theatre of Opera and Ballet. Since 1975, he has been teaching at Yerevan State Conservatory (since 1982 as a Professor). Under his leadership, the State Choir of Armenia has received academic titles (1969) and honors (1975). Chekijyan has conducted about 56 world-famous symphonic orchestras. He was the the deputy of the Supreme Soviet of the 9th convocation of Armenia and the 10th convocation of the USSR. Chekijyan was awarded the State Prize of Armenia in 1970, and the State Prize of the USSR in 1975. He was awarded the Order of “Peoples Friendship” in 1980, “Mesrop Mashtots” Order of the Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia in 1992, “Movses Khorenatsi” Order of the RA in 1997, “Saint Sahak-Saint Mesrop” Order of the Armenian Church in 1999, “The Golden Cross” Order of the World Armenian Congress in 2009, and “Mesrop Mashtots” Order of the RA in 2010. Chekijyan was awarded the title of People's Artist of Armenia in 1967 and of the USSR in 1978. In 2017 Chekijyan was awarded the title of National Hero of Armenia.