Komitas Quartet
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The Komitas Quartet is a string quartet musical ensemble founded in Moscow in November 1924, and is the oldest-established string quartet in the world still performing. It is now in the third generation of membership.
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[edit] Original line-up
The founding members were four talented Armenian students at the Moscow State Tchaikovsky Conservatory:
1st violin: Avet Gabrielyan
2nd violin: Levon Ogandjanyan
Viola: Michael Terian
Cello: Sergey Aslamazian
This group gave its first public performance in February 1925.
[edit] Origins
This group, the best-known Armenian music group, carries the name of Komitas (Soghomon Soghomonyan, 1869-1935). Komitas was a monk whose genius brought a renaissance to Armenian music at the turn of the 20th century. During its uninterrupted creative life, celebrating its 80th anniversary in 2004, the quartet has become well-known throughout the world, taking part in numerous international festivals, giving concerts in more than 80 countries, and demonstrating the highest standards of performance.
The quartet has performed with Sviatoslav Richter, N. Dorliak, Emil Gilels, Dmitri Shostakovich, Mstislav Rostropovich, V. Merjanov, Konstantin Igumnov, Walter Zeufert, Mario Brunello, Anahit Nersesyan and other prominent musicians. Aram Khachaturian described the quartet as the jewel of the musical culture of Armenia. Many Armenian and foreign composers have dedicated works to the quartet. The quartet was the USSR State Prize and Armenian SSR State Prize winner. The current members of the quartet are the third generation of players.
[edit] Current line-up
1st violin: Eduard Tadevosyan
2nd violin: Syuzi Yeritsyan
Viola: Aleksandr Kosemyan
Cello: Aram Talalyn
[edit] Recordings
The quartet made a number of collection recordings in the USSR and released numerous albums in Russia, the United Kingdom, France and the USA. The latest CD was re-issued in the USA in 2003. In 2007 "Armenian Contemporary Composers" studio album was released on the VEM label.
