Born in 1920 in Erevan, Armenia, he is one of the best known and highly esteemed composers of Armenia. He studied composition and piano at the Komitas Conservatory in the city of his birth, and then perfected his composition skills with H. Litinsky in Moscow (1946-1948). He directed the composition class at the Erevan State Conservatory. His works have won many prizes, both nationally and internationally. He enjoys an international reputation, and his works are frequently performed throughout the world. Alexander Arutiunian died in March 2012.
