ARAM KHACHATURIAN HOUSE-MUSEUM

In 1921, following his older brother's advice, Suren Khachaturian moved to Moscow and enrolled in the Biology Department of the local university. However, a year later, he dropped out, despite having only elementary musical knowledge. Despite this, thanks to his brilliant abilities, he entered the cello department of the Gnessin Music School in 1922, studying under S. Bychkov, then Prof. A. Simanovsky. Concurrently, he also received private piano lessons from Elena Gnesina.

Inkwell and pen

In Aram Khachaturian's house, an inkwell and a pen were preserved as relics, cherished for their connection to the composition of the national anthem of the Soviet Socialist Republic of Armenia in 1944. The composer held onto the inkwell for about 20 years, and though he later used various pens, this particular one maintained a permanent place in his workspace. Khachaturian would often brainstorm musical notes at the piano before transferring them onto paper at the adjacent table. Today, at the writer's House-Museum, a table next to the piano features a prominent display of a green inkwell and a sharp-tipped pen.

Piano

Many of Aram Khachaturian's remarkable works originated on a German Ludner grand piano, generously donated to the house-museum by his son, Karen Khachaturian. For nearly 40 years, the profound connection between the great composer's fingers and the keys of this grand piano brought forth the resounding brilliance of his compositions. Notably, this piano served as the birthplace for Aram Khachaturian's "Seven Fugues and Recitative" series, one among the six pianos owned by the composer, each adorned with his mother's portrait. Khachaturian, always animated when discussing his mother, credited her folk songs, sung with a beautiful voice, as a significant influence on his creative journey.

Tie with an "A" written on it.

Aram Khachaturian attended a concert featuring Gevorg Achamyan's ensemble of young violinists in Yerevan. On that day, the talented group performed excerpts from Khachaturian's ballet "Spartacus." Khachaturian was not only delighted but also very impressed by their performance. When Achamyan bid farewell to him at the airport, Khachaturian's admiration for the performance lingered. While embracing Achamyan, an idea struck him. He removed his tie, which bore the initial "A" for his name, and suggested exchanging ties with Achamyan. Aram Khachaturian donned Achamyan's tie, a gesture the latter reserved for special occasions.

Monument to Aram Khachaturian

Located in Yerevan, in front of the Aram Khachaturian Grand Concert Hall, it was installed in 1999. By sculptor: Yuri Petrosyan

The secret canvas

Edmond Ayvazian, a Persian artist of Armenian origin residing in London during the 1970s, expressed a wish to paint the composer during Khachaturian's final visit to London. Despite requesting at least an hour, Khachatryan, occupied with his schedule, declined. Armenian philanthropist Asatur Gzelian, accompanying Khachaturian, covertly invited Edmond Ayvazian to a rehearsal.After quietly sketching in a corner for about an hour, the artist completed the painting at home. When Aram Khachaturian later saw the painting and admired it, he requested it as a gift. The artist declined, reminding him of the earlier request for an hour of his time. Eventually, Ayvazyan gave copies of the painting to Gzelian and Khachatryan and the original to Catholicos of All Armenians Vazgen I.On January 23, 1984, during the opening of the Aram Khachaturian House-Museum, His Holiness presented the painting to the museum, sending it with Grigor Khanjian.

The last tailcoat

It is difficult to determine the exact number of tailcoats in his closet. The tailcoat that the maestro wore during his last tour, along with accessories such as cufflinks and watches, was later gifted by his son to his Yerevan house-museum. The author's final concert occurred in October 1977 in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Slippers

In many households, including the Khachatryans', it was customary to remove shoes indoors. One day, composer Eduard Mirzoyan visited Khachaturian's home. Upon taking off his shoes, Mirzoyan discovered no available slippers, prompting Khachatryan to graciously offer his own. The following day, as Mirzoyan prepared to depart, Aram Khachaturian presented him with the slippers. Mirzoyan cherished these slippers in his home for nearly 25 years.

Tablecloths

In 1977, Aram Khachaturian was invited to dinner at the home of the Primate of the Armenian Church of England. The composer had a deep appreciation for Armenian dishes and, as usual, requested to be treated to them wherever he went. This time was no exception. During dinner, he asked for an apron or a large napkin. The hostess, lacking an apron, offered him a tablecloth she had embroidered. This tablecloth, like others before it, was not washed after Khachaturian's use. The hostess brought it back to Armenia along with a photo taken on that memorable day.

Worn-out suitcases

In 1965, Aram Khachaturian went on tour to Tehran, where he met the family of Emma Ghazaryan, his fellow student from Moscow. Observing the composer's Soviet and worn suitcases, the family generously presented him with a new, more capacious suitcase. Khachaturian left the old ones to be discarded and transferred his belongings to the new one. The family carefully preserved Khachaturian's worn suitcases for many years, and eventually, they made their way to Yerevan.