Renowned Armenian composer Edvard Mirzoyan dies at 92

October 5, 2012 - 19:45 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - Renowned Armenian composer Edvard Mirzoyan died Friday, October 5 after a long illness. He was 92.

Mirzoyan was born on May 12, 1921 in Gori, Georgia. Initially schooled in music in Yerevan and graduated from the Komitas State Conservatory, Mirzoyan left for Moscow to further refine his art. In late 1956 he was elected president of the Armenian Composers’ Union, a position he held until 1991.

Mirzoyan’s compositional output was relatively small but quite distinguished, combining graceful lyricism with intense drama. With its formal structure and tonal design, his style has been described as Neoclassical, with elements of Armenian folksong always present. Mirzoyan’s String Quartet, Cello Sonata, Symphony for Strings and Timpani, and Epitaph for String Orchestra have become notable additions to the international music repertoire.