Lazar Saryan

Lazar Saryan (Ghazaros Saryan, Russian: ?????? ?????? ????????????, (1920 - 1998) was an Armenian composer, professor, People's Artist of the USSR (1991). In 1960-1986 he was the rector of Yerevan State Conservatory. Sarian was born in Rostov-on-Don, he was the son of painter Martiros Sarian and grandson of writer Ghazaros Aghayan. He finished the Yerevan State Conservatory, studying composition with V. Talyan.

Following his service in WWII, he entered the Moscow State Conservatory in 1945, studying composition with Dimitri Shostakovich. Then he became a Professor of Composition at the Yerevan State Komitas Conservatory. Among his students were Tigran Mansuryan and Rouben Sarkissian. Sarian was the President of the Union of Composers and Musicologists of Armenia in 1955-1956. Saryan's music blends traditional and modern modes of expression, and is characterized by a dignified style and a rich sense of musical timbre[1]. He also wrote songs and music for cinema ("The Song of First Love"). He is the author of the "symphonic panel" "Armenia" - inspired by his father's paintings, and the Symphony (1980). His music was performed in numerous countries and cities, including at the Modern Music Concert Hall in Mets, France, in a concert conducted by Pierre Boulez; and at the Athens Music Festival, conducted by Kosmos Galilis.