Description

AVET KARPOVICH TER-GABRIELYAN (JUNE 7 [JUNE 19], 1899, NAKHICHEVAN-ON-DON, DON HOST REGION, RUSSIAN EMPIRE – JUNE 19, 1983, MOSCOW, USSR)

 

 

 

 

 

Avet Karpovich Ter-Gabrielyan was a Soviet Armenian violinist, founder and first violinist of the Komitas Quartet. He was awarded the title of People’s Artist of the Armenian SSR in 1945.

Biography

Avet Ter-Gabrielyan was born on June 7 (June 19), 1899, in Nakhichevan-on-Don, now part of the Proletarsky District of Rostov-on-Don. He studied the violin under Nikolai K. Avierino. In 1929, he graduated from the Moscow Conservatory in the class of Lev M. Zeitlin.

In 1923, Ter-Gabrielyan organized the first Armenian Soviet string quartet in Yerevan. From 1924 to 1976, he served as the first violinist of the Komitas Quartet, remaining one of its central figures for more than five decades.

From 1929, he taught at the Moscow Conservatory, becoming an associate professor in 1947. Alongside his work with the quartet, he performed as a soloist and chamber musician, appearing in ensembles with such distinguished musicians as Alexander Goldenweiser, Konstantin Igumnov, Heinrich Neuhaus, and Viktor Merzhanov, as well as with orchestras.

In 1935, Ter-Gabrielyan was awarded second prize at the All-Union Competition of Musicians-Performers. He also toured abroad with the Komitas Quartet and participated extensively in concert activities.

He died in Moscow on June 19, 1983, at the age of 84.

A sculptural portrait of Ter-Gabrielyan was created by the Armenian sculptor Aitsemik A. Urartu in 1943. The portrait was executed in marble.

Awards and honors

Honored Artist of the Armenian SSR (1938)

People’s Artist of the Armenian SSR (1945)

Stalin Prize, Second Degree (1946), for concert and performance activities as a member of the Komitas Quartet

State Prize of the Armenian SSR (1965)

Order of the Red Banner of Labor (November 4, 1939), for outstanding services to the development of Armenian theatrical and musical arts

Medal “For Labor Valor” (October 14, 1966), for services in the training of highly qualified musical personnel and in connection with the 100th anniversary of the Moscow State Conservatory named after P. I. Tchaikovsky

 

TRACKLIST

 

César Franck (1822–1890)

Sonata in A major for Violin and Piano, FWV 8

Allegretto ben moderato

Allegro

III. Ben moderato: Recitativo-Fantasia

Allegretto poco mosso

Avet Gabrielyan, violin

Vladimir Yampolsky, piano

Studio recording, Moscow, 1961

 

Ludwig van Beethoven (1770–1827)

Violin Sonata No. 9, Op. 47

(«Kreutzer Sonata»)

Adagio sostenuto – Presto

Andante con variazioni

III. Presto

Avet Gabrielyan, violin

Victor Merzhanov, piano

Live recording from a concert in Moscow, 18.X.1952