CONTACT: Ara Ghazarians, Curator
Armenian Cultural Foundation
441 Mystic Street
Arlington, MA 02474-1108
Tel. (781)-646-3090
Website:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ACF Marks 90th Anniversary of Late Rouben Gregorian
ARLINGTON, Mass. – This year marks the 90th anniversary of the birth
of the late Rouben Gregorian. The Armenian Cultural Foundation, which
houses the gifted late performer, composer, conductor and educator’s
archives, has planned a number of projects and events to mark the
occasion in November 2005.
Born in Tiflis (Tbilisi), Georgia in 1915 to Armenian parents from
Tabriz, Iran, he was barely 1 when his parents returned to their
native Tabriz, the “citadel of the Armenian culture.” The young Rouben
received his musical education under the auspices of his father,
Levon Gregorian, a renowned musician, conductor and educator.
His education included the Armenian Central School in Tabriz, the
Tehran Conservatory, the Ecole de Musique in Paris and the National
Conservatory of Music in Paris. He played an instrumental role in
the development of the Tehran Conservatory of Music, where he served
as its director. He was later the music director and conductor of
the Tehran Symphony. His role in the collection and documentation of
Iranian folk tunes remains unmatched yet to be fully recognized. From
1949 to 1951 he headed the musical section of the Iranian National
Commission of UNESCO.
Gregorian moved to the United States in 1952. For the next half a
century, he dedicated his life to music in general and the Armenian
musical heritage in particular. His unmatched passion for music
is reflected in his decades of untiring service as a professor of
music at the Boston Conservatory of Music and numerous professional
engagements on various capacities and institutions, some of which
include: music director of the Portland Symphony, Maine; guest
conductor of the Boston Esplanade Orchestra in 1952 which laid the
foundations with the world-renowned conductor Arthur Fiedler of
the Boston Pops Orchestra’s Armenian Night at Pops; Boston Women’s
Symphony Orchestra, Komitas String Quartet, Komitas Choral Society,
St. James and St Stephen’s Armenian Churches’ Choruses; as well as
guest conductor of several Orchestra’s such as the St. Paul Chamber
Orchestra, Yerevan Philharmonic Orchestra, Tehran Symphony and National
Iranian Television Orchestra.
He received several awards and commendations, both in his native Iran
and the United States. He was hailed by music critics, performers
and musicians, among them Charles Munch; Edward Mirzoyan, chairman
of the Armenian Society of Musicians, Armenia; Jan Peerce, Richard
Yardumian and Salvatore Marino.
Over the years, a number of his works have been conducted and
recorded. Some of his works have received national and international
acclaim. His Iranian suite has been called a “masterpiece of art.”
His composition based on Komitas’ Divine Liturgy of the Armenian
Apostolic Church had its world premiere at Boston’s Symphony Hall a
few years ago.
The commemorative events planned include a lecture by Dr. Hormoz
Farhat, retired professor of music from the University of Dublin,
Ireland, in conjunction with a musical program which will take place at
the Armenian Cultural Foundation. Also, a double-CD sets representing
Gregorian’s choral and orchestral works will be introduced to the
enthusiasts of the Armenian and classical music.
In addition to the above, ACF is working on the catalogue of Rouben
Gregorian’s archives and papers, which are slated to be completed by
fall 2005.
ACF invites all those who may have worked with Gregorian in various
capacities, i.e., students, colleagues, performers, who have items
that can be added to his collection at the ACF contact the curator
of the foundation, Ara Ghazarians.
Further details in regard to the above program will be made available
in September. Those interested can inquire for details by contacting
the Foundation officer during office hours.