KHACHATURIAN, Aram (1903-78); ARM [all files] Symphony No.2 in E- "The Bell" (1943) Armenian Philharmonic Orchestra E.Topchjan, Conductor Andante maestoso. Allegro agitato [15:37 · 14.3M] Allegro risoluto [9:08 · 8.4M] Andante sostenuto [14:32 · 13.3M] Andante mosso. Allegro sostenuto [13:10 · 12.1M]

Eduard Topchjan

The Armenian Philharmonic Orchestra was founded in 1941, under the direction of the renowned Armenian conductor Constantine Saradjev. In the years following, the conductor's post has been held by such figures as Michael Malunstian, Aram Katanian, David Khandijan, Michael Avetissian, and Loris Tjeknvorian. In October of 2000, the post was handed to Eduard Topchjan, who has since helped to raise the international profile of the ensemble.

From the beginning, the orchestra has focused both on local Armenian repertory, as well as the broader repertory of Russian and Western European classical music. Debut performances have been given of works by the great Armenian composer, Aram Khachaturian, as well as by Dmitri Kabalevski, Reingold Glier, and others. The orchestra has supported such distinguished soloists as David Oistrach, Lev Oborin, Sviatoslav Richter, and Mstislav Rostropovich. Guest conductors of the orchestra include such luminaries as Carlo Zecchi, Kurt Mazur, and Franz Konvichni. The APO has toured extensively through the former Soviet Union, as well as in the US, Canada, Germany, France, Greece, Austria, Spain, Portugal, and Iran - and has always received high critical acclaim. The orchestra has thus far released more than thirty recordings, including the magnificent recording of Khachaturian's 3rd Symphony, featured here at the Classical Archives.

Armenian Philharmonic Orchestra

Conductor Eduard Topchjan was born in Yerevan, Armenia in 1971. He has received valuable training from such top musicians as Sir George Solti, Claudio Abbado, and Nello Santi. In 1991, Mr. Topchjan co-founded the ensemble "Serenade," which has received numerous awards (including First Prize at the 1995 "Valentino Bucchi" International Competition in Rome), and recorded six CDs - featuring the music of Schoenberg, Vivaldi, Schubert-Mahler, and Mirzoyan.

Reviews

      "The Armenian Philharmonic Orchestra stirs the soul. The glory of the orchestra is its string section. This was a rich, colorful, full-throated sound - a choir of sound."

Boston Globe

      "Due to Maestro Topchjan's skillful interpretation, the necessity of stage scenery even remained unnoticed. The performance [of Verdi's Aida] got a riotous reception from the enthusiastic audience."

Novoe Vremja (Armenia)

      "Topchjan is a talented conductor, skillful in his gestures, who knows how to motivate his musicians."

Die Welt (Germany)

Armenian Philharmonic Orchestra email: narec@journalist.com