Toccata

Aram Khachaturian was born in Tbilisi. In 1913 he enrolled in Tbilisi Commercial School. a school for merchants. However, after learning and playing on brass instruments by himself, Khachaturian was enrolled in a brass band. In 1915 he moved to Ekaterinograd (now Krasnodar) and in 1921 to Moscow. From 1922 to 1929, he studied cello and composition at the Gnessin Musical Institute. In 1934 Khachaturian graduated from Moscow Conservatory, having studied composition under Nikolai Myaskovsky, and from 1934 to 1936, he completed postgraduate studies. From 1950, he taught at Moscow State Tchaikovsky Conservatory and at Gnessin State Music Pedagogical Institute (Professor from 1952). From 1957, he was the secretary of the Union of Composers of the USSR (from 1939 to 1948, Deputy Chairman of the Organizing Committee). Khachaturian was awarded numerous orders and medals of the USSR, Armenia and foreign countries - notably, the State Prizes of the USSR and Armenia. In 1954 he was awarded the title of People’s Artist of the USSR in 1954, of Armenia in 1955, of Georgia in 1963, and of Azerbaijan in 1973. Khachaturian died in Moscow and was buried in Yerevan. Khachadurian is best known for writing the famous ballets "Gayane" and "Spartacus". He is considered to be the most famous Armenian composer of the 20th century, drawing from Armenian folk music in his classical works. He is recognized a "national treasure" of Armenia.