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Muradian, Vazgen

 Person

Biography

Vazgen Muradian (born 1921) is a prominent composer from Armenia who has written more music for the viola d'amore than any other living composer.

Vazgen Muradian was born on October 17, 1921 in Ashtarak, Armenia. He studied at the Spendiarian Professional School of Music in Yerevan—the capital of Armenia. He studied composition with Mo Gabriele Bianchi, violin with Mo Luigi Ferro, and viola d’amore with Mo Renzo Sabatini.

In 1950 Muradian traveled to the United States where he played the viola in several orchestras in the United States, including the Wagner Opera Company of New York and the New Orleans Symphony Orchestra. A member of the American Composers’ Society, he has written a concerto for every instrument in classical music and many other rare instruments including the banjo, xylophone, and harmonica. His compositions have been performed all around the U.S. and the world. Muradian has composed more for the viola d’amore than other living composer and gave the first performance on the instrument in Armenia on October 12, 1963. He is also the first Armenian or American composer to write a concerto for the viola d’amore. He currently resides in New York City with his wife, Arpi.

UPB files, July 14, 2014 (born on October 17, 1921 in Ashtarak, Armenia; where he studied and who he studied with; immigrated to U.S. in 1950; what orchestras he played in; premiered the viola d'amore in Armenia on October 12, 1963; currently lives in New York City)

CDBaby, via WWW, July 14, 2014 (emigrated to United States in 1950; wrote a concerto for xylophone, banjo, and harmonica)

Found in 1 Collection or Record:

Gordon Childs papers on Vazgen Muradian, 1955-1998

 Sub-Series — Oversize 6: Series 2, oversize-folder: 4
Identifier: MSS 8507 Series 2 Sub-Series Sub- 4
Scope and Contents

This subseries includes programs, newspaper articles, biographies, and other reviews written about Muradian by Gordon Childs, members of the Viola d’amore Society of America, one of Muradian’s teachers, and other well-known musicians. The sub-series also includes quartets, concertos, and sonatas written by Muradian. These are in the form of photocopied handwritten manuscripts and printed musical scores. Some contain personal annotations and markings by Childs. Dated 1955-1998.

Dates: 1955-1998
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / MSS 8507, Gordon Childs papers on the Viola d'Amore / Gordon Childs collection on other violists

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