(b. 1956, Yerevan).

Armenian composer of mostly orchestral and chamber works that have been performed throughout Europe and elsewhere.

Prof. Ajemyan is the son of the artist Alexander Ajemyan (b. 1925 – d. 1987) and the grandson of the artist Vardan Ajemyan (b. 1905 – d. 1977) and the actor Arus Asryan (b. 1904 – d. 1987). He studied composition with Ghazaros Saryan at the Komitas State Conservatory in Yerevan from 1973–81.

Among his honours is the National Prize of Armenia (1987, for Symphony No. 1). His music has been performed in Armenia, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Finland, Georgia, Iceland, Poland, Russia, the UK, and the USA.

He has taught composition at the Komitas State Conservatory since 1987, where he has been a professor since 2001 and where he has served as chair of the department of composition since 2002.

COMPLETE LIST OF WORKS

STAGE:

The Death of Kikos (comedic opera in 2 acts, libretto by Vardan Ajemyan [grandfather], after Hovhannes Tumanyan), coloratura soprano, lyric soprano, dramatic soprano, mezzo-soprano, alto/mezzo-soprano, tenor, baritone, bass, mixed chorus, large orchestra, 1978 (may be performed in Russian translation by Tamara Demuryan)

ORCHESTRAL:

Concerto (vocalise), soprano, mezzo-soprano, large orchestra, 1981

Concerto for Orchestra, 1981

Symphony No. 1, large orchestra, 1986

Symphony No. 2 (in memoriam Alexander Ajemyan), large orchestra, 1989

Piano Concerto No. 1 (vocalise), 33 mixed voices, piano, large orchestra, 1991

Concerto, cello, large orchestra, 1993

Concerto, flute, large orchestra, 1996

Overture in C Major, 22 strings, 2000

Symphony No. 3 (for Edvard Mirzoyan), 22 strings, 2002

Piano Concerto No. 2, piano, large orchestra, 2005

CHAMBER MUSIC:

Sonata No. 1, flute, piano, 1975

Sonata for Alto Flute and Piano, alto flute, piano, 1983

Sonata No. 2, flute, piano, 1984

Trio No. 1, violin, cello, piano, 1987

Sonata for Cello and Piano, cello, piano, 1993

Sonata for Violin and Piano, violin, piano, 1995

Fantasy, tuba, piano, 1998

Quintet, piccolo, tuba, double bass, piano, vibraphone, 1998

String Quartet No. 1 (in memoriam Ghazaros Saryan), 1998

Trio No. 2, violin, cello, piano, 2004

VOCAL:

Five Songs (texts by Gurgen Mahari, Vahan Teryan), mezzo-soprano, piano, 1979

Ballade (text by Gurgen Mahari), soprano, string quartet, double bass, 1980

Five Songs (text by Hovhannes Shiraz), mezzo-soprano, piano, 1985

Eternity (song-cycle, vocalise), soprano, violin, cello, piano, 1996

Tag Garnan yev Siro – A Song for Spring and Love (text by Grigoris Akhtamarsi), soprano, 22 strings, 2002

PIANO:

Three Pieces, 1973

Sonata No. 1, 1974

Five Pieces, 1975

Sonata No. 2, 1975

Goganjner – The Bells (poem), 1996

Sonata No. 3, 1999

Rubato (poem), 2000

Vormnankarner – Frescoes (poem), 2001