Aram Khatchaturian

Concerto in D Minor (flute version)

            Aram Khatchaturian was the third member of the mighty triumvirate of Soviet composers—the others, of course, being Shostakovich and Prokofiev.  And like the others, he too, enjoyed a long, hot and cold relationship with the Communist party and those who dictated the musical æsthetics of that troubled time.  A native Armenian—born in Georgia like Stalin—he early on moved to Moscow to further his musical studies, but for the rest of his life infused his music with vivid stylistic influences from his Armenian heritage.  His personal musical language is almost unmistakable, often characterized by melodies that are oriented to folk or popular elements, a remarkable rhythmic drive, and a masterful command of colorful orchestral writing.