Tsirani Tsar (Apricot Tree)

Born in Rostov. In 1921 he graduated from Rostov-on-Don’s musical college. From 1922-24 he taught at Yerevan Music Studio, then at the newly-opened Conservatory. From 1924-1929 he studied at the Moscow Conservatory under the tuition of Professor L. Caitlin. In 1925 he directed the string quartet of Armenian Music Students in Moscow (later named after Komitas). Since 1938 he had taught at the Moscow Conservatory. In 1939 Gabrielyan was awarded the Order of Red Banner of Labor, he was also awarded the State Prize in USSR in 1946 and later in RA in 1965. In 1974 he received the title of professor at the Komitas State Conservatory in Yerevan and in 1976 at the Moscow State Tchaikovsky Conservatory. In 1945 he was awarded the title of People's Artist of Armenia. He died in Moscow and was buried in Yerevan.