Who Is Aram Khachaturian? Age, Biography, and Wiki
As of 2025, Aram Khachaturian is celebrated posthumously, with his legacy well-documented in various platforms, including his Wikipedia page. Born in 1903, he would have been 122 years old this year if he were alive. His contributions to the world of music—ranging from ballets, symphonies, to concertos—reflect his deep Armenian heritage, often infused with folk themes and vibrant orchestration.
| Occupation | Conductor |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | June 6, 1903 |
| Age | 74 Years |
| Birth Place | Tiflis or Kojori, Tiflis Governorate, Russian Empire |
| Horoscope | Gemini |
| Country | Russia |
| Date of death | 1 May, 1978 |
| Died Place | Moscow, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union |
Popularity
Aram Khachaturian's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
While specific details regarding Khachaturian’s physical attributes such as height and weight may not be thoroughly documented, he was known to have a charismatic presence that matched his passionate compositions. His style transcended mere physicality, focusing instead on the emotions and storytelling that each note conveyed.
The years preceding and following World War II were very productive for Khachaturian. In 1939 he made a six-month trip to his native Armenia "to make a thorough study of Armenian musical folklore and to collect folk-song and dance tunes" for his first ballet, Happiness which he completed in the same year.
"His communion with Armenia's national culture and musical practice proved for him as he put it himself, 'a second conservatoire'.
He learned a lot, saw and heard many things anew, and at the same time he had an insight into the tastes and artistic requirements of the Armenian people." In 1942, at the height of the Second World War, he reworked it into the ballet Gayane.
It was first performed by the Kirov Ballet (today known as Mariinsky Ballet) in Perm, while Leningrad was under siege. It was a great success that earned Khachaturian his second Stalin Prize, this time first-class. Khachaturian returned the prize money to the state with a request to use it for building a tank for the Red Army.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
As a private individual, details surrounding Khachaturian's family life and relationships are not extensively covered in public forums. He was married to a fellow musician, which influenced his work, but comprehensive information on his romantic endeavors remains scarce. His dedication to his craft implies that his relationships were likely interwoven with his musical pursuits.
Some sources indicate Kojori, a village near Tiflis, as his birthplace. His mother, Kumash Sarkisovna, was from Lower Aza, also a village near Ordubad. Khachaturian's parents were betrothed before knowing each other, when Kumash was 9 and Yeghia was 19. They had five children, one daughter and four sons, of whom Aram was the youngest.
From 1906 to 1922 Khachaturian lived at 93 Uznadze Street in Tbilisi. Khachaturian received primary education at the commercial school of Tiflis, a school for merchants. He considered a career either in medicine or engineering.
Net Worth and Salary
Considering his prolific career and enduring influence, Aram Khachaturian’s net worth during his lifetime can be estimated based on his accomplishments in the music industry. While exact figures are difficult to ascertain, it's believed that he achieved significant financial success through performances, commissions, and royalties from his countless works. His music continues to be performed worldwide, ensuring a legacy that contributes to ongoing earnings through licensing and rights.
Career, Business and Investments
Khachaturian's career spanned several decades and included many notable works such as "Spartacus" and "Gayaneh." He was also renowned for his concertos, particularly for piano and violin. Aside from composing, he participated in education, mentoring younger generations of musicians. Khachaturian's involvement in various capacities within the music sector established him as a key figure in fostering music education and appreciation, particularly in Armenia.
During most of his career, Khachaturian was approved by the Soviet government and held several high posts in the Union of Soviet Composers from the late 1930s, although he joined the Communist Party only in 1943.
Along with Sergei Prokofiev and Dmitri Shostakovich, he was officially denounced as a "formalist" and his music dubbed "anti-people" in 1948 but was restored later that year. After 1950 he taught at the Gnessin Institute and the Moscow Conservatory and turned to conducting.
He traveled to Europe, Latin America and the United States with concerts of his own works. In 1957 Khachaturian became the Secretary of the Union of Soviet Composers, a position he held until his death.
Social Network
In today’s digital age, Khachaturian’s music enjoys a robust presence on social media and music streaming platforms. Fans and musicians alike share his works, ensuring his influence remains strong within contemporary classical circles. Pages dedicated to his music on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter celebrate his legacy and keep his contributions relevant in discussions about classical music.
Khachaturian is best known internationally for his ballet music. His second ballet, Gayane, was largely reworked from his first ballet, Happiness. Anna Kisselgoff called it "one of the staples of the Soviet and Eastern European ballet repertory." Spartacus became his most acclaimed work in the post-Stalin period.
These two compositions "remain his most successful compositions".
According to Jonathan McCollum and Andy Nercessian, his music for these two ballets "can safely be included among the best known pieces of classical music throughout the world, a fact that is vitalized by perception that these are perhaps the only works through that the world really knows Armenian music".
Education
Aram Khachaturian pursued his education in music at various institutions, culminating in his studies at the Moscow Conservatory. This foundational education provided him with the skills needed to delve deeply into composition and orchestration, allowing him to explore the complexities of musical storytelling.
He moved to Moscow in 1921 following the Sovietization of the Caucasus. Without prior music training, he enrolled in the Gnessin Musical Institute, and subsequently studied at the Moscow Conservatory in the class of Nikolai Myaskovsky, among others.
His first major work, the Piano Concerto (1936), popularized his name within and outside the Soviet Union. It was followed by the Violin Concerto (1940) and the Cello Concerto (1946).
His other significant compositions include the Masquerade Suite (1941), the Anthem of the Armenian SSR (1944), three symphonies (1935, 1943, 1947), and around 25 film scores. Khachaturian is best known for his ballet music: Gayane (1942) and Spartacus (1954).
His most popular piece, the "Sabre Dance" from Gayane, has been used extensively in popular culture and has been performed by a number of musicians worldwide. His style is "characterized by colorful harmonies, captivating rhythms, virtuosity, improvisations, and sensuous melodies".
