Aram Khachaturian
Khachaturian was born in Tblisi and studied composition at the Moscow Conservatory with Myaskovsky. The sounds of Armenian and Georgian folk music that he heard when growing up are reflected in many of his works. His Piano Concerto (1936) and Violin Concerto (1940) brought him international success, and prizes from the Soviet government. However, in 1948 he was included in the group of composers attacked for 'formalism', along with Prokofiev and Shostakovich, and had to make a public apology. His most well-known pieces come from ballet scores: the Sabre Dance from Gayaneh and the Adagio from Spartacus.
Performances of Khachaturian at The Anvil include
Violin Concerto - Dresden Philharmonic Orchestra/Sanderling, October 2012
Suite from Spartacus - Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra/Karabits, November 2009