The role and significance of the State Symphony Orchestra of Armenia in the interpretation and popularization of the work of Lazar Saryan

Abstract

The article presents the role and significance of the Armenian State Symphony Orchestra in the interpretation, popularization, and preservation of the works of Professor Lazar Saryan (1920-1998), People's Artist of the USSR, a distinguished representative of the Saryan and Aghayan families, a talented composer of the Armenian "Mighty Five," educator, musician and public figure, Chairman of the Union of Composers of Armenia, Rector of the Yerevan Komitas State Conservatory. Although L. Saryan's works were frequently performed during the Soviet period, they gained a new artistic life in the years of the independence of the Republic of Armenia through the efforts of conductor Sergey Smbatyan, Honored Artist of the Republic of Armenia, PhD in Arts, and the Youth Orchestra he founded in Yerevan-the first youth orchestra of its kind in Armenian musical practice. Since 2018, the ensemble has operated as the Armenian State Symphony Orchestra, with Sergey Smbatyan serving as Artistic Director and Principal Conductor, and Sargis Balbabyan, PhD in Arts, serving as Director (since 2017). The aim of this article is to present the first comprehensive study of the contribution of the Armenian State Symphony Orchestra and Sergey Smbatyan to the interpretation, popularization, and preservation of the works of Lazar Saryan. The study demonstrates that these efforts have been carried out in the following areas: organizing the first festival of Armenian composers' music, Saryan-Fest; including the composer's works in the programs of leading international music festivals and concerts; interpreting and recording these works with the participation of the Armenian State Symphony Orchestra, internationally renowned orchestras, and soloists; and establishing the Lazar Saryan String Quartet.