Eastern March

Born in Alexandropol (now Gyumri). At the age of nine he permanently lost his sight as a result of smallpox. In 1871 he was placed in the Vienna Institute for the Blind, where he received a general and musical education, studying in the piano class of Professor W. Schenner of the Vienna Conservatory. In 1880 he returned to his homeland. In 1893 he went to St Petersburg and took private lessons from N. Solovyov, a professor at the conservatory. In 1922 he founded a school for the blind, where he taught music and general subjects. In 1934 he moved to Yerevan. He was one of the founders of Armenian national piano music. In 1933 he was awarded the title of People's Artist of Armenia, in 1936 that of Hero of Socialist Labour, and in 1939 the Order of the Red Banner of Labour. He died in Yerevan.