June 6, 1903:
Aram Ilyich Khachaturian is born in Kodjori, a suburb of Tiflis, Russia (now part of Tbilisi, Georgia), the youngest of four children born to Egiya (Ilya) Voskanovich Khachaturian, a bookbinder and Kumash Sarkisovna Khachaturian.
May 14, 1927:
Incidental music to Paronian’s play Bagdasar Akhpar by Aram Khachaturian (23) is performed for the first time, in Moscow.
February 1, 1928:
Incidental music to Sundukian’s play Khatabala by Aram Khachaturian (24) is performed for the first time, in Moscow.
April 16, 1928:
Incidental music to Paronian’s play The Eastern Dentist by Aram Khachaturian (24) is performed for the first time, in Moscow.
June 11, 1930:
Excerpts from the Suite for viola and piano by Aram Khachaturian (27) are performed for the first time, privately in Moscow.
September 14, 1931:
A string quartet by Aram Khachaturian (28) is performed for the first time, in Moscow.
April 25, 1933:
Incidental music to Shakespeare’s play Macbeth by Aram Khachaturian (29) is performed for the first time, in Sundukian Dramatic Theatre, Yerevan.
June 22, 1933:
Parts of the Dance Suite for orchestra by Aram Khachaturian (30) are performed for the first time, in Bolshoy Hall of Moscow Conservatory.
June 11, 1934:
The Symphony no.1 of Aram Khachaturian (31) is performed for the first time, in a two-piano version before examiners at the Moscow Conservatory. It is his final examination before graduation and he receives the grade of “excellent.” See 23 April 1935.
April 23, 1935:
Symphony no.1 by Aram Khachaturian (31) is performed publicly for the first time, in Moscow Conservatory Bolshoy Hall. It is dedicated to the 15th anniversary of the establishment of Soviet rule in Armenia. See 11 June 1934.
June 1, 1935:
Incidental music to Sundukian’s play The Ravaged Heart by Aram Khachaturian (31) is performed for the first time, in Moscow.
November 28, 1936:
A Piano Concerto by Aram Khachaturian (33) is performed for the first time, privately in a two-piano version, at the Moscow Composers’ Union. See 12 July 1937.
January 6, 1937:
Incidental music to Kirshon’s play The Big Day by Aram Khachaturian (33) is performed for the first time, in the Central Theatre of the Red Army, Moscow.
July 12, 1937:
Concerto for piano and orchestra by Aram Khachaturian (34) is performed in its orchestral setting for the first time, in Sokolniky Park, Moscow. See 28 November 1936.
November 2, 1937:
Incidental music to Nikitin’s play Baku by Aram Khachaturian (34) and A. Peisin, is performed for the first time, in Radlov Dramatic Theatre, Leningrad.
May 23, 1938:
Zangezur, a film with music by Aram Khachaturian (34), is released.
November 29, 1938:
A Poem About Stalin for orchestra and chorus by Aram Khachaturian (35) to words of Bayramov, is performed for the first time, in Moscow Conservatory Bolshoy Hall.
May 4, 1939:
The Soviet Council of People’s Commissars (Sovnarkom) creates Muzfond as an organization to fund Soviet composers. Local muzfonds are simultaneously created in the numerous districts of the country. They also create the Union of Soviet Composers of the USSR. Named head is Rheinhold Glier, assisted by Aram Khachaturian (35) and Isask Dunaevsky.
May 15, 1939:
The Garden, a film with music by Aram Khachaturian (35), is released.
November 14, 1940:
Incidental music to Lope de Vega’s play The Valencian Widow by Aram Khachaturian (37) is performed for the first time, in Lenin Komsomol Theatre, Moscow.
November 16, 1940:
Violin Concerto by Aram Khachaturian (37) is performed for the first time, in Moscow. Sergey Prokofiev (49) and Dmitri Shostakovich (34) attend along with a host of Soviet musical luminaries. It is a tremendous success.
February 21, 1941:
Salavat Iulaev, a film with music by Aram Khachaturian (37), is released.
June 21, 1941:
Incidental music to Lermontov’s play Masquerade by Aram Khachaturian (38) is performed for the first time, in the Vakhtangov Theatre, Moscow. See 6 August 1944.
October 22, 1941:
World War II: Most of the Soviet government, diplomatic corps, and numerous important cultural figures including Dmitri Shostakovich (35) and Aram Khachaturian (38) arrive from Moscow by train in Kuibyshev.
January 22, 1942:
Incidental music to Pogodin’s play The Kremlin Chimes by Aram Khachaturian (38) is performed for the first time, in Saratov.
December 3, 1942:
Gayaneh, a ballet by Aram Khachaturian (39) to a story by Derzhavin, is performed for the first time, in Molotov (Perm, Russia). The performers are members of the Kirov Ballet evacuated from Leningrad.
June 23, 1943:
Incidental music to Kron’s play Detailed Reconaissance by Aram Khachaturian (40) is performed for the first time, in Moscow.
October 3, 1943:
The Suite no.1 from the ballet Gayaneh by Aram Khachaturian (40) is performed for the first time, in the Hall of Columns, Moscow. Natalia Spiller recalls, “Neither before nor [since] have I ever heard such a storm of applause, nor witnessed such unqualified success of a new work...”
December 30, 1943:
Symphony no.2 by Aram Khachaturian (40) is performed for the first time, in the Moscow Conservatory Bolshoy Hall.
August 6, 1944:
A suite from the incidental music to Masquerade by Aram Khachaturian (41) is performed for the first time, over the airwaves of Radio Moscow. See 21 June 1941.
February 18, 1945:
Suite no.2 from the ballet Gayaneh by Aram Khachaturian (41) is performed for the first time, in Moscow Conservatory Bolshoy Hall.
April 5, 1945:
Incidental music to Shkvarkin’s play The Last Day by Aram Khachaturian (41) is performed for the first time, in Vakhtangov Dramatic Theatre, Moscow.
June 9, 1945:
Prisoner No.217, a film with music by Aram Khachaturian (42), is released.
November 6, 1945:
Russian Fantasy for orchestra by Aram Khachaturian (42) is performed for the first time, in Moscow.
December 9, 1945:
Three Pieces for two pianos by Aram Khachaturian (42) is performed for the first time.
October 30, 1946:
Cello Concerto by Aram Khachaturian (43) is performed for the first time, in Moscow Conservatory Bolshoy Hall. It is generally successful.
November 7, 1947:
Incidental music to Perventsev’s play The Southern Junction by Aram Khachaturian (44) is performed for the first time, in Moscow.
December 13, 1947:
Aram Khachaturian’s (44) Symphony-Poem is performed for the first time, in Leningrad Philharmonic Bolshoy Hall.
January 10, 1948:
Andrey Zhdanov, First Secretary of the Leningrad Communist Party, convenes a meeting of musicians at the Party Central Committee in Moscow. He launches an all-out assault on “formalists”, Sergey Prokofiev (56), Aram Khachaturian (44), Dmitri Shostakovich (41) (all three of whom are present) and others. Their music is likened to a dentist’s drill. They are accused of elitism, and of abandoning “true” Soviet forms.
January 26, 1948:
A resolution of the Politburo of the CPSU removes Aram Khachaturian (44) and Viktor Beliy from their positions in the leadership of the Union of Soviet Composers. Chairman on the Committee on Artistic Affairs Mikhail Khrapchenko, and his deputy Vladimir Surin, are sacked for allowing Vano Muradeli’s opera The Great Friendship into the repertoire.
February 10, 1948:
At a ceremony in the Kremlin, Sergey Prokofiev (56) is raised to the status of People’s Artist of the USSR. At the same time, the Central Committee of the CPSU is voting a resolution attacking Prokofiev, Dmitri Shostakovich (41), Aram Khachaturian (44), and other leading composers of the USSR. See 5 November 1947 and 11 February 1948.
March 8, 1948:
The Russian Question, a film with music by Aram Khachaturian (44), is released.
April 19, 1948:
The first All-Union congress of Soviet Composers meets in Moscow. They condemn Benjamin Britten (34), Gian-Carlo Menotti (36), and Olivier Messiaen (39) as being “impregnated with extreme subjectivism, mysticism, and disgusting facetiousness.” Of those condemned on 10 February, only Dmitry Shostakovich (41) and Vano Muradeli attend the entire congress. Sergey Prokofiev (56) and Aram Khachaturian (44) are there for the first day only.
April 26, 1948:
Despite vigorous efforts, the Union of Soviet Composers refuses to add Dmitry Shostakovich (41), Aram Khachaturian (44), and four others to its governing board.
August 2, 1948:
The Soviet Ministry of Finance issues a resolution on Muzfond in the name of Comrade Stalin. Several audits have discovered widespread abuses in the composers’ funding organization, involving some of the most important composers including Sergey Prokofiev (57), Dmitri Shostakovich (41), and Aram Khachaturian (45). Muzfond will be reorganized and closely monitored. Henceforth, all loans or allowances will be approved by the Council of Ministers.
December 26, 1948:
Ode in Memory of Vladimir Ilyich Lenin for orchestra by Aram Khachaturian (45) is performed for the first time, in Moscow Conservatory Bolshoy Hall.
November 10, 1949:
Incidental music to Mikhalkov’s play Iliya Golovin by Aram Khachaturian (46) is performed for the first time, in Gorky Art Theatre, Moscow. It is a satire of “formalist” composers. The main character is a caricature of both Sergey Prokofiev (58) and Dmitri Shostakovich (43).
December 9, 1949:
The Battle of Stalingrad, a film with music by Aram Khachaturian (46), is released.
March 20, 1950:
They Have a Native Country, a film with music by Aram Khachaturian (46), is released.
August 21, 1950:
Secret Mission, a film with music by Aram Khachaturian (47), is released.
December 9, 1950:
Festive Poem for orchestra by Aram Khachaturian (47) is performed for the first time, in Moscow Conservatory Bolshoy Hall.
March 7, 1953:
A memorial service for Sergey Prokofiev is held in Moscow at the Central Composers’ Home, attended by Dmitri Shostakovich (46), Aram Khachaturian (49), and other prominent Soviet composers and musicians.
April 23, 1953:
Admiral Ushakov, a film with music by Aram Khachaturian (49), is released.
October 28, 1953:
Incidental music to Iakobson’s play The Angel-Protector from Nebraska by Aram Khachaturian (50) is performed for the first time, in the Moscow Art Theatre.
November 18, 1953:
Incidental music to Chepurin’s play Spring Stream by Aram Khachaturian (50) and Nina Makarova is performed for the first time, in Moscow.
December 30, 1954:
Incidental music to Lavrenev’s play Lermontov by Aram Khachaturian (51) is performed for the first time, in Moscow.
December 21, 1955:
Saltanat, a film with music by Aram Khachaturian (52), is released.
December 30, 1955:
Incidental music to Shakespeare’s play Macbeth by Aram Khachaturian (52) is performed for the first time, in Moscow.
March 19, 1956:
Otello, a film with music by Aram Khachaturian (52), is released.
August 22, 1956:
The Bonfire of Immortality, a film with music by Aram Khachaturian (53), is released.
December 27, 1956:
Spartak, a ballet by Aram Khachaturian (53) to a story by Volkov, is performed for the first time, in the Kirov Opera and Ballet Theatre, Leningrad. The composer’s party overseers discouraged him from using this subject as not relevant to the revolution. He informed them that Marx once named Spartacus as a hero of his and they relented.
December 2, 1957:
The Duel, a film with music by Aram Khachaturian (54), is released.
May 8, 1958:
Incidental music to Shakespeare’s play King Lear by Aram Khachaturian (54) is performed for the first time, in Moscow.
April 22, 1959:
Aram Khachaturian (55) is awarded the Lenin Prize.
April 3, 1960:
Greeting Overture for orchestra by Aram Khachaturian (56) is performed for the first time, in Moscow Conservatory Bolshoy Hall.
October 24, 1961:
Ballad About the Motherland for bass and orchestra by Aram Khachaturian (58) to words of Garnakerian, is performed for the first time, in Moscow Conservatory Bolshoy Hall.
September 26, 1962:
Igor Stravinsky (80) makes his first appearance in his homeland since the revolution as he conducts a concert of his own music in the Great Hall of the Moscow Conservatory. The audience is filled with many musicians, including Dmitri Shostakovich (56) and Aram Khachaturian (59).
October 1, 1962:
At an evening reception given by the Soviet Minister of Culture, Igor Stravinsky (80) meets with leading Soviet composers including Dmitri Shostakovich (56) and Aram Khachaturian (59). According to Robert Craft, this is “the most extraordinary event of the trip.”
October 7, 1962:
Concerto-Rhapsody for violin and orchestra by Aram Khachaturian (59) is performed for the first time, in Yaroslavl.
January 4, 1964:
Concerto-Rhapsody for cello and orchestra by Aram Khachaturian (60) is performed for the first time, in Gorky.
January 22, 1968:
Aram Khachaturian (64) makes his American debut in Constitution Hall, Washington.
December 9, 1968:
Concerto-Rhapsody for piano and orchestra by Aram Khachaturian (65) is performed for the first time, in Gorky.
March 2, 1970:
37 Soviet intellectuals put their names to a protest to Israel for bombing a metal works near Cairo on 12 February. Included are two Nobel Prize winners and composers Aram Khachaturian (66) and Tikhon Khrennikov.
November 6, 1971:
Aram Khachaturian (68) wins the State Prize, awarded each year on the eve of the anniversary of the Bolshevik Revolution.
September 3, 1973:
Nuclear physicist Andrei Sakharov is officially condemned by the Soviet Union. A letter appears in Pravda signed by twelve prominent Soviet musicians supporting the condemnation. Among the signatories are Dmitri Shostakovich (66) and Aram Khachaturian (70).
March 6, 1977:
Sonata-Song for solo viola by Aram Khachaturian (73) is performed for the first time, in Leningrad Philharmonic Bolshoy Hall. It is the last work he will compose.
March 5, 1978:
A meeting takes place in the Composers’ Club, Moscow, to mark the 25th anniversary of the death of Sergey Prokofiev. It is the last public appearance of Aram Khachaturian (74).
May 1, 1978:
Aram Ilyich Khachaturian dies of lung cancer in Moscow, aged 74 years, ten months, and 25 days. After lying in state in Bolshoy Hall of Moscow Conservatory and the Opera and Ballet Theatre in Yerevan, his mortal remains will be buried in the Komitas Pantheon, Yerevan, USSR.