YEREVAN, JANUARY 18, ARMENPRESS. According to the People's Artist of the USSR Konstantin Orbelian he is one of the most talented, brilliant and professional composers of Armenia. Armenian known composer Edward Mirzoyan considered him as one of the major figures in Armenian modern music. 2016 is a jubilee year for Honored Art Worker, composer, Professor of Komitas State Conservatory of Yerevan Vardan Adjemian: Artist’s 60th Anniversary approaches. 2016 did not manage to come when a surprise was prepared for the composer: According to Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan's decree of December 29, 2015, Vardan Adjemian was awarded with State Award in the sector of music “ For Sound Theatre” string orchestra, timpani and piano” creation.

During the interview with “Armenpress” Vardan Adjemian talked about the mentioned award, his new works and the love towards culture which has deep roots.

Vardan Adjemyan on “Sound Theatre”

“I am honored to receive the Armenian Republic’s State Award. I have written the creation during the latest years and it was performed for a few times. I am very pleased with all the performances. They were sounded by various conductors: Sergey Smbatyan, Vahan Martirosyan and it was also played by my daughter Arus Adjemian.

I must tell why I chose “Sound Theater”. I went back to my childhood, which I spent in theater. My grandfather Vardan Adjemian and grandmother Arus Asrian took me to the theater almost every day. I remember how I saw in the backstage the creation of performances and how great figures of the theater played: Vahram papazian and Hrachia Nersisian;   what wonders could be seen in at that time.”

Composer did not show any special interest in music during his years in Musical school after Sayat Nova

“I was very busy, I did sports; I loved football. I wanted to attend studies for the theater. I was rather old enough when in 8th grade I told my grandfather that I want to go to Moscow and enter the University of Theatre Arts. He was very surprised and asked me what I would do after him. And I really thought what I should do. I was already creating at that time. My father Alexander Adjemian developed me very much in terms of music and my mother Natella Adjemian was also a professor in Conservatory. I have lived in such atmosphere and shared with great musicians. My father’s close friends were Konstantin Orbelian, Arno Babajanyan, Khachatur Avetisyan. These years were unforgettable. I was formed during the mentioned years.”

Love towards music

“I got my first music impressions from Yekmalian Divine Liturgy. It made a very by impact on me. People did not visit churches during those years but Arus Asrian took me to Edjmiadzin and I was admired with the liturgy. I admire with it till now. I was writing little piano creations during that time. Very often I showed them to the composers.”

New creations

“I have just finished a big creation for the band written by the words of Tumanyan, Teryan and Isahakyan. It is called “Four images of spring”; I tried to unite these 4 poets in one work. I wished it to sound this year as this is the year of my 60^th Anniversary. “

Interview by Roza Grigoryan

Photos by Felix Arustamyan