“I will say that it was rather hard for me to imagine the future house-museum by drafts on paper. From the outside, it is very beautiful and persuasive, but the internal arrangement and design was more difficult to visualize. In general, I liked the project and felt like approving it…”
The museum was housed in a house, which belonged to the composer and where the composer’s mother and brother used to live. The architect of that house was Mark Grigorian and the house was presented to the composer by the government’s decision made in 1947. Behind the museum there was a garden that was later turned into a courtyard with a spring monument rising there. The monument was a gift by architects S. Gyurzadian and S. Barseghian.
The house museum was established in 1978 and officially opened in 1982, that is when the composer was no longer alive. With time people from all over the world started sending items and things with which the composer had at least slightly dealt, and as a result the museum might not include the composer’s physical presence, but it obviously, is filled with his boundless spirit and liveliness.
Aram Khachaturian House Museum Collection
Aram Khachaturian house Museum is where you will enjoy the his music, learn about his life, get to know him as a composer, person and a family man, be introduced to the interesting events with which his life was simply abundant and of course, admire the rare exhibits, which you will find in the spacious exhibition halls.
The façade of the building features five arches. On the first floor the concert hall can be found, which hosts various concerts and events. This is more due to the perfect acoustics it has. The museum also has a library and a sound library. The museum’s library is rather rich and includes a large collection of publications about Aram Khachaturian. As to the sound library it was initiated by Harmik Grigorian who allocated a rare and unique CD collection of world classical music to the museum. He also provided the corresponding equipment for individual and mass listening. Every month DVD demonstrations known as “Masterpieces of world classical music at Aram Khachaturian museum” are organized at the museum. These DVD demonstrations were initiated by Aram Khachaturian trio.
Four years ago, in 2008 Aram Khachaturian’s house museum was full of people celebrating the great composer’s 105th anniversary and the 30th anniversary of the museum’s opening. One of the most memorable events held back then was the opening of the museum’s new permanent exposition. The things presented in the exposition come in accordance with the chronology of his life. This is a s smart step since it allows to have a broader idea about Aram Khachaturian as a composer, conductor, teacher, public figure and so on. While following the path of his life though those exhibitions you will get acquainted with his childhood, youth, family as well as the environment that helped him create his works.
The museum includes not only the composer’s letters, manuscripts of scores, books, records and photos, but also his private things. They were donated to the museum by his son Karen and among them you will find cabinet, bedroom, dining room, piano, conductor’s tail-coat and baton, letters and many other things from the family archive.
As already said, many people started sending out things with which the composer had dealt, but the most outstanding is the piano sent by T. Mostijian. The story of the piano has it that while Aram Khachaturian was traveling to the South America Mostijian asked him to play that piano and afterward, gave him a nail asking him to leave his autograph on it. This must have taken lots of efforts and persuasion on the part of the passionate music lover, but he succeeded and the piano is now in Yerevan. This piano is not the only one in the museum. You will also find a grand piano with the painting of French impressionist Bonis on the cover. The piano was sent by Armen Metsaturian from Argentina.
In 1974 the composer and well-known musicologist G. Shneerson had a long conversation lasting 20 hours, which the musicologist had recorded. The conversation reveals details of the composer’s life and it can also be found in the museum.
With all this said and noted, it should be mentioned that currently the museum’s collection includes 18,000 pieces out of which 13,000 are in the essential collection.
Aram Khachaturian House Museum Activities
The museum is “active” all year round and some of the events and activities it is involved in include:
Khachaturian’s birthday – The composer was born on June 6 and every year a visit to his grave is organized. It is then followed by a competition of young composers held at the museum.
Masterpieces of world classical music at Aram Khachaturian museum – DVD demonstrations known as are organized at the museum.
Music salon – surprise – During this event young musicians play with the members of Aram Khachaturian trio.
Temporary exhibitions on various themes are also held.
Cultural-Educational program (upcoming) – This program has one basic goal – to let school students learn about Aram Khachaturian’s works and of course, relate them to the museum.
Sounds and colors – Perhaps this one is the most impressive activity the museum’s engaged in. During the “sounds and colors” event children paint under the composer’s music. The event is held in the exposition halls and once the kids are done, their paintings are being displayed in the museum.
Visits to schools – This activity envisions the visit of the museum’s representatives to different schools. During their visits they recount about the composers life and work, after which the school students visit the museum.
Opening Hours
Aram Khachaturian House Museum is open from Monday to Friday from 11 am to 4.30 pm, and on Saturday from 11 am to 4 pm. Guided tours are available. A tour in Armenian will cost 2000 Dram, while in other languages like Russian, English and French 2500 Dram.
Address: 3 Zarobyan Str., Yerevan
Tel.: (374 10) 589 418, (374 10) 580 178, (374 10) 522 691
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: http://akhachaturianmuseum.am/
