Today marks Armenian composer Arno Babajanyan’s birthday

Today marks the 93rd birth anniversary of Arno Babajanyan, a renowned Armenian composer and pianist of the Soviet era.

The great musician was born in 1921 in Yerevan. His father played flute; Arno himself developed a musical talent since early childhood. The young musician’s earliest musical pieces were created when he was nine. In 1933, Babajanyan received his first prize in a competition of young Armenian musicians.

The composer’s rich musical heritage comprises songs, instrument performances and symphonic music. His compositions feature different styles, including classical, pop and jazz music.

Babajanyan developed his creative style under the influence of the great Armenian composer Aram Khachatryan and the Russian pianist, composer and conductor Sergei Rachmaninoff. His individual talent was revealed in the Heroic Ballade for Piano (1950) and the Piano Trio (1952).

His Armenian Rhapsody, which enjoys a wide popularity, dates from 1950.

Babajanyan’s music was also popular in many Soviet Armenian feature films (First Love Song, Mechanics of Happiness, A Bride from the North etc.).

The musician died of blood cancer in Moscow on November 11, 1983.