Khatchaturian, Aram
{kah-chah-toor-yahn′, uh-rahm′}
How to Cite This Article
Aram Khatchaturian, b. June 6 (N.S.), 1903, d. May 1, 1978, was a Soviet composer of Armenian birth best known in the West
for the "Sabre Dance" from his ballet Gayane (1942) and for two concertos—one for piano (1936), the other for violin (1940). The latter was popularized in Western Europe
and the United States by the Russian violinist David Oistrakh. Khatchaturian made extensive use of Eastern melodic and rhythmic forms borrowed chiefly from Armenia but also from neighboring
Caucasian (Georgian and Azerbaijani) folk music. Brilliant orchestral coloring plays an important part in all his music, which
includes popular choral songs, balalaika pieces, military marches, film and incidental music for plays, as well as compositions
in classical forms.
Martin Cooper
Further Reading:
Ho, Allan, and Feofanov, Dmitry, eds., Biographical Dictionary of Russian-Soviet Composers (1989).
Shneerson, Grigory, Aram Khachaturian, trans. by Xenia Danko (1959).
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