Farewell to the great composer

On October 5, at the age of 92 died Edward Mirzoyan- a great composer, a well-known intellectual, state and public figure, USSR and SSR People's artist and was dedicated to the national culture. Edward Mirzoyan was born on May 12, 1921, in the town of Gori, Georgia, in a family of well-known artists. In 1941 he graduated from Yerevan State Conservatory, Vardges Talyan’s creative class, then in 1946-48 was refined in the music studio of the culture house of Moscow. Since 1948 Edward Mirzoyan taught at Yerevan State Conservatory (professor from 1965). From 1956 to 1991 he held the position of the president of Armenian Composers’ Union (honorary from 1994), and in 1962 he was elected in the position of Presidium Secretary of the USSR Composers' Union. Since 1977 he was the president of Peace foundation of Armenia (honorary from 2009). Mirzoyan was one of those individuals who signaled the innovative spirit of “60s” in Armenian culture, valuing the straight, true and sincere word. In the Symphonic art Mirzoyan developed Komitas principles, paving new ways from the generations. Heading Armenian Composers’ Union for 30 years in a raw, Mirzoyan greatly contributed to the normal development of music. He educated generations with the ideas of love for freedom and patriotism. Edward Mirzoyan's artistic heritage is rich and diverse. Especially remarkable are his romances written on the lyrics of A. Isahakyan and Y. Charents ("They say ...", "I Dreamt", etc.), "Homeland calls" , “Chorus” , “Introduction and perpetum mobile” (violin and orchestra) works. Composer’s String Quartet, Cello and Piano Sonata are the masterpieces of Armenian chamber music. “Armenia” cantata and “Holiday Prelude” are filled with patriotic spirit. The symphony written for string orchestra and the “Epitafia” devoted to Arman Khachatryan are among the greatest achievements of Armenian symphonic music. Mirzoyan also wrote soundtracks for films (fiction- “Chaos” (1974), “Heghkom president” (1977), “Banished” d 011” etc.) Edward Mirzoyan was awarded dozens of prizes and awards- 1971, “Kiril and Mefodi”, Bulgaria; 2001 Saint Sahak, Saint Mesrop by the Armenian church, and RA Saint Mesrop Mashtots; 2005, “Peter the Great”, Germany; 2011, RA Sign of Honor.1998, RA Movses Khorenatsi; 2006, Leonardo da Vinci, and RF “Yekaterina II”. In 1998 he was awarded the Aram Khachatryan prize of the SSR ministry of culture. Edward Mirzoyan’s civil funeral will take place on October 7 at 18:00, at the Komitas Chamber Music Hall. The last farewell is on October 8, at 12:00-14:00, in Aram Khachaturian Concert Hall. The funeral is in the Pantheon after Komitas.