Arno Babadjanyan - Elegie "In Memory of Khachaturian"

Arno Babajanian (Armenian: Առնո Բաբաջանյան) (January 22, 1921 - November 11, 1983) was an Armenian composer and pianist during the Soviet era.
Elegie for piano "In Memory of Aram Khachaturian"
A. Nersissian, piano
Babajanian was born in Yerevan, Armenia. By age 5, his extraordinary musical talent was clearly apparent, and the composer Aram Khachaturian suggested that the boy be given proper music training. Two years later, in 1928 at the age of 7, Babajanian entered the Yerevan State Musical Conservatory. In 1938, he continued his studies in Moscow with Vissarion Shebalin. He later returned to Yerevan, where from 1950-1956 he taught at the conservatory. It was during this period (1952) that he wrote the Piano Trio in f# sharp minor. It received immediate acclaim and was regarded as a masterpiece from the time of its premiere. Subsequently, he undertook concert tours throughout the Soviet Union and Europe. In 1971, he was named a People’s Artist of the Soviet Union. As a composer, Babajanian was active in most genres and even wrote many popular songs in collaboration with the leading poets such as Yevgeny Yevtushenko and Robert Rozhdestvensky among others. Much of Babajanian’s music is rooted in Armenian folk music and folklore. But generally, the way in which he uses Armenian folk music is in the virtuosic style of Rachmaninov and Khachaturian. His later works were influenced by Prokofiev and Bartók. Praised by Dmitri Shostakovich as a "brilliant piano teacher", Babajanian was also a noted pianist and often performed his own works in concerts.

[@vh73sy]

The reason this piece is dedicated to Aram Khatchaturian is that this popular Armenian folk song tune was his favorite (originally recorded by the Armenian medieval minstrel Sayat-Nova,) they say he cried whenever he heard this tune, Babadjanian knew this fact and he specifically rearranged the tune as a eulogy/ elegy: a mourning song of praise, in memoriam.

[@bartjebartmans]

Thanks for this helpful information.

[@nathansikner2560]

Except for Armenia's "national poet" Sayat-Nova being a 18th century figure as opposed to medieval, yes :)

[@jaimecasal7532]

There's also an interesting fact, on how this piece came into existence. When Babadjanyan found out that Khachaturian died, he sat on the piano, heartbroken, and improvised over this tune, and it people enjoyed it so much that he ended up writing it down. Part of the reason why his recordings of this piece are just astonishing, is the amount of feelings, the weight that he gives to his interpretation.

[@GuitarNooob]

@@bartjebartmans I don't know about crying, but in his interview he said that his friend and teacher Aram Khachaturyan liked this melody. He (Khachaturyan) liked folk music and liked to say that real composer should know and love folk music/songs if he wants create something good. That was not just words but also actions. He listened to people, who played folk music, and this melody was played by one of them. Babajanayan said, that this melody make a big impression on his teacher and he said "how could someone compose such a melody". This is why Babajanyan used this melody for this elegy. He just knew his teacher liked it very much.

[@gregianyan5174]

Arno played this heartbreaking music for his devoted master with an old Armenian masterpiece melody.

[@alexankhazarjian5299]

Only Arno can compose such heavenly tunes to dialogue with the Master Aram Khatchaturian ...RIP for both.

[@derhova]

Actually composed in the 18th century by Sayat-Nova. This is Arno's rendition on the piano. The original title is "Qani Vur Janim".

[@snafu313]

Just found this piece. It's now my new favorite that I want to learn! Not to mention the fact that every time I listen to it nearly brings me to tears...

[@2lips2u]

I just found out about him today and I'm moved to tears. I also MUST learn how to play this wonderful arrangement. I hope i can find the music sheet!

[@finleymakee4850]

I’m actually learning this piece right now and can tell you that it’s incredibly beautiful, but that comes in the way that some of the hand movement you have to do for it is extremely difficult

[@aradanielian1396]

Let's not forget Sayat Nova, the author of the theme of this little masterpiece. And Babajanyan created another piano masterpiece based on the magnificent melody of the late medieval Armenian minstrel.

[@thelonearchitect]

Can you name the piece of Sayat Nova it is related to ?

[@aradanielian1396]

@@thelonearchitect Qani vur jani im (Քանի վուր ջանի իմ) kzbin.info/www/bejne/nmLRmKion5t8a8k

[@aradanielian1396]

@@thelonearchitect kzbin.info/www/bejne/aJewdINsha9-gNk

[@ashotbyerkat]

​@@aradanielian1396Քանի վուր ջան իմ (քանի որ ջան եմ, քանի դեռ ողջ եմ)

[@MrZviki]

love this :* so sensitive , love you Armenians :*

[@bonnieblume]

Zviad Kenkishvili Love you too 🇬🇪

[@user-xg5cd6rr6h]

素晴らしい曲　切なくて、三度繰り返し😂　又☕️ 陶酔するぐらい大好き😊

[@riabrezova8682]

WONDERFUL !!!!!! Armenian music is some esoteric, or spiritual music. Thank you very much for uploading !

[@Tony-nl6pf]

Thank you

[@jardinssecretsaupiano]

Superbe interprétation.. bravooooooo et ... merci beaucoup pour cette pièce où l'on sent cet amour et cette déchirure lorsqu' Aram Katchaturian est parti vers une destination inconnue... malheureusement, lui - même s'en est allé cinq ans après . .. que de belles pièces..si belles ... c'est une merveille

[@EmdrGreg]

This is just plain gorgeous.

[@user-ow6rh9zy5r]

Սայաթ-Նովա, Խաչատրեան, Բաբաջանեան. Հայ երաժշտական հրաշալի երրորդութիւն։

[@gmfrunzik]

Բա Կոմիտասը

[@UncleSamOnTruck]

Ամեն անգամ լսելիս հուզվում եմ։ Ուղղակի հանճարեղ ա սա։

[@arsengevorkyan3886]

Браво!!!🇦🇲🇦🇲🇦🇲

[@aramkhachaturian8043]

thank you

[@raulescobar4496]

Es gibt Sachen die einfach Schön sind!!

[@dededadaro6996]

Beautiful!! 🎆💝❤💙❤❤💘

[@ClassicMusicVidsUSA]

I am actually surprised by the lack of dissonance given the era this piece was written in. It's an incredible little work of beauty though.

[@jaimecasal7532]

The lack of dissonance? The dissonance is the most important technique here: the amazing composer knew how to use in his favour, and it sounds amazing

[@27dimes]

Probably lack of the unreasonable dissonance so common in Scriabinism and post-Scriabinistic pieces. This was a soviet piece, so unreasonable dissonances were often - no, not censored or cut out - but excluded by the composers themselves based on recommendations from colleagues, especially if something was excessively ‘spicy’.

[@zarapapazyan4580]

Armenian music is timeless,era has nothing to do here

[@derhova]

Actually composed in the 18th century by Sayat-Nova. This is Arno's rendition on the piano. The original title is "Qani Vur Janim".

[@mikeywinsky1620]

A true masterpiece!!

[@VACE-hw3io]

Բրավո!!!!

[@anoeddi2837]

Hastad

[@janbrekelmans5475]

Alweer zo"n prachtig nummer van Babadjanyan

[@l.gabriellearboleda8495]

Sublime.

[@hasmikaghuzumtsyan6195]

Bravo two Armenian geniuses Arno Babadjanyan and Aram Khachaturian! Khachaturian was Arno Babadjanyan's music teacher! Bartje Bartmans, thank you for posting this masterpiece!

[@ANIAnnushka]

Браво 👏👏👏

[@lilityamanyan6117]

hrashqa Babajanyany💓💓💓💓

[@rasimpasaoglu2597]

Perfect music👌👌👌

[@susanchemm9391]

Bravo!!!

[@marcela77777]

Perfektní uhoz střídá jemný přednes. ❤️

[@heleneg.2393]

La meilleure interprétation de cette oeuvre sur KZbin : quelle nostalgie, quelle passion, quelle humanité ! Et puis, la technique, les plans sonores, y sont excellents !

[@constantinerkalp8762]

Уникальный=Unique 🥰😌👌

[@iubescmoldova7659]

genius

[@yevatatosyan]

Thank you , I feel blessed to have found your video ! ❤❤️‍🔥 ❤💙💛 🇦🇲🇦🇲🇦🇲

[@peterkrauss6962]

Lovely

[@nasersarfaraz3025]

Masterpiece 👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻🎶🎵❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@yevatatosyan]

ARMENIAN MASTERPEICE FROM ONE LEGEND TO HONOUR THE WORLD FAMOUS CLASSIC ICON !

[@mariannazavadskaija6862]

work work hard work

[@tetyanachorna8139]

Thanks!!!

[@wuyipiano]

Beautiful performance.

[@effortlessmag]

Klinkt als mijn moedertaal. Dank en eenGroet, Liza

[@alejandrosotomartin9720]

Beautiful piece.

[@lyudmillastepanian5811]

💝

[@afinakhachatryan8909]

💕

[@armenashrafyan6511]

❤

[@alexsur6438]

гений

[@user-sk4gp8gv1x]

👏👏👏👍👍

[@alexankhazarjian5299]

He was a very good composer full with humain and Armenian spirituality. Genius since his precoce age.

[@evelinahovhannisyan6431]

👍🏻

[@vahearmen5846]

👍

[@norwalltino]

Great video, subjective from my side, because I compose music from my own egosentric bubble. Who doesn't?

[@DomskiPlays]

Nooo why is this not on spotify :(

[@adriansarchisian1179]

It is on spotify

[@DomskiPlays]

@@adriansarchisian1179 Yeah I've found it but there is only one recording sadly

[@yevatatosyan]

@@adriansarchisian1179 IS IT???

[@rafadawabe]

At 2:17 is he quoting Khachaturian's Valse from Masquerade?

[@rumikapustina4989]

彼の曲はどれも自殺した私の娘を悲しみ慰め、胸が張り裂けそうだ、彼女は、たった19歳で逝ってしまった。私はどうしても悲しみから抜けられず、まだこの世をさまよわなければならないのか

[@mariamisanodze5540]

2019?

[@danielsmayh]

Love this piece, anyone knows how can I get the sheet?

[@wanderinworld9955]

Please let me know

[@Sparapet301]

Do you still need it guys?

[@FabioFaddaArtInBroker]

I would love to have it

[@yevatatosyan]

@@Sparapet301 hI, Greg, I WOULD ABSOLUTELY LOVE TO HAVE THE SHEET AND FINALLY STOP PLAYING IT FROM MY MEMORIES from musical SCHOOL YEARS in Armenia! Pleasem make it happen, kind soul from KZbin! XXXX

[@Sparapet301]

@@yevatatosyan բարի օր, if you drop your email here, I can send the Elegy (and Nocturne + Vagarshapat dance if you want) to you👍

[@TurgayErdener]

nefis...

[@edytastepien3093]

from where can I have a notes ? Because I can't find it anywhere. :(

[@bartjebartmans]

You can find it on ScorSer Russian site.

[@NareLusinyan]

Չեմ սիրում երբ' Հիմքը չեն նշում+

[@derhova]

100%

[@hamzaahmetasevic5764]

Is this difficult to play?

[@chesschennel]

Уникальная аранжировка и исполнение "Мелодии" А.БАБАДЖАНЯНА. В день 100-летия Мастера! kzbin.info/www/bejne/ooa3omZ3adSesJY

[@user-wc4gt1fp3k]

Армянам необходимо стать практичными в политике и циничными, чтобы выжить, а духовность оставить в стороне.

[@NareLusinyan]

Սայաթ Նովա' Առնոյի կատարմամբ,ձեր' կրկնօրինակմամբ😂

[@user-wr1hd4te7q]

2018.10.1 My daughter committed suicide. this music is very sad!!

[@ferguscullen8451]

Sorry to hear that. Best wishes to you and your family.

[@user-wr1hd4te7q]

Thank you. I am crying until no tears are left .I’m devastated by grief.

[@gayanemikaelyan2450]

@@user-wr1hd4te7q I am sending lots of love and bear hugs to you from Armenia ...I hope she is resting in peace... Stay strong ,I am sure she looks after you ❤...

[@user-wr1hd4te7q]

Thank you very much. To lose a child is to live in hell for the mother. My tears will not wither. But I think I will meet my daughter someday.　　 I miss my daughter.

[@Jaycons1972]

@@user-wr1hd4te7q My heart breaks for you...So very sorry. The loss of a child must be the very worst thing to happen to a parent! :(

[@alibaghirov4503]

Beautiful! But actually with its interpretation this piece is very near to azerbaijani music,especially "seigakh" mugham.

[@aram4285]

It’s similar because Azerbaijan and Turkey have always been inspired by Armenian tradition and their culture

[@Kristov818]

well the Azeri people were derived from the Armenian people before they became "Azeri" so it makes sense

[@kristine111]

Pure Armenian lads, Armenian harmony, Armenian music, what mugham, what has the Azerbaijani mugham got to do with it?

[@gregianyan5174]

@@kristine111 These unfortunate people never had a proper alphabets history and civilization, they drove Armenians out of their ancestral lands and claimed everything as their own. If there was no Armenia nobody knew about the existence of the newly crowned oil Sheikhdom.

[@derhova]

azeri trolls commenting nonsense as usual, do you even know when this was composed? about 300 years before there was an azeri nation.