Aram Satian

Aram Satian (also Satyan) (Armenian: Արամ Սաթյան; born 23 May 1947) is an Armenian classical composer and popular music songwriter.

Biography

Aram Satian was born in Yerevan (Armenia) into the second generation of a musical family. His father Aram Satunc (Satian) and uncle Ashot Satian were also notable composers. He studied at the Romanos Melikian Music College under Armenian composer and educator Edvard Baghdasaryan and then later at the Armenian State Conservatory with Edvard Mirzoyan and Alexander Arutiunian. In 1970 Satian went on to postgraduate study at the Moscow Conservatory with Tikhon Khrennikov. At the time, Khrennikov was Chairman of the Union of Soviet Composers. On his advice, Satian joined the union in 1971.

His awards include First Prize in the 1969 Young Composers Review held in Moscow, for his Symphonic Variations. He went on to win national competitions in 1971, 1972, 1975, 1977 and 1979. In 1981, he won the Armenian Communist Union State Award. In addition to his symphonies and concertos, he has also composed over 300 songs, music for film and theatre productions, and two pop operas: Lilit and Little Cakhes. Lilit was composed in 1983 and described as the first Armenian work ever composed in this style.

Satian resides in Armenia and is still actively engaged as a composer and performer.

Pop songs

Aram Satian is widely known for his pop songs which were also popular in Soviet Union and received numerous awards at "Song of the Year" Contests - "My Story of First Love" (1976), "If You Remember" (1985), "Prayer of Hope" (1991). In 1986 Yurmala All-Union Competition his songs "The Love is Gone" and "Promise of Spring" performed by Narine Harutyunian received the 1st Prize.

Satian musical dynasty

• Ashot Satian 1906–1958
• Aram Satunc (Satian) 1913–1990
• Aram Satian 1947–
• Ashot Satian Jr. 1965–
• Arthur Satian 1973–
• David Satian 1979–
• Lilit Satian 1981–
• Ruben Satian 1982–

Notes and references