Sonata For Santoor

Khachatur Avetisyan was born in Leninakan (present day Gyumri, Armenia). He studied at Yerevan Musical School (named after R. Melikyan). In 1960 he graduated from the Department of Composition of Yerevan State Conservatory (named after Komitas). Between 1950 to 1960 he taught Qanun at the Musical School. In 1957 the Qanun Ensemble, headed by Khachatur Avetisyan, won the third prize at the Moscow International Festival of music. From 1958 to 1972, he was the music director of the State Dance Ensemble of Armenia. From 1972 to 1978, Khachatur was the artistic director of the Song and Dance Ensemble of Armenia (named after Tatul Altunyan). He taught at Yerevan State Conservatory between 1972 to 1986, and as a Professor from 1986. He was awarded the title of Honored Artist of Armenia in 1961 and Honored Art Worker in 1965. In 1984 Khachatur Avetisyan was awarded the title of People’s Artist of Armenia and in 1985 received the State Award of the Republic of Armenia. Avetisyan died in Yerevan.