Armenian State Symphony Orchestra
The Armenian State Symphony Orchestra (ASSO) was founded in 2005 by conductor Sergey Smbatyan, who is also its Artistic Director and Principal Conductor.
The most famous concert halls have welcomed the ASSO in Germany, the Great Britain, France, Russia, Belgium, China, the Netherlands, Italy, Lebanon, Dubai and other countries, such as Opera Garnier (Paris), Konzerthaus (Berlin), The Elbphilharmonie (Hamburg), Musikverein (Vienna), Teatro Real (Madrid), Dr. Anton Philipszaal (Hague), Palais des Beaux-Arts (Brussels), Tchaikovsky Concert Hall and Great Hall of Conservatory (Moscow), Dubai Opera House and more.
The Orchestra has participated in numerous international festivals: “Moscow Easter Festival” (Moscow, Russia), “YOUNG EURO CLASSIC’’ (Berlin, Germany), Ludwig van Beethoven Easter Festival, to name a few. The ASSO has been the resident orchestra at the Khachaturian International Competition (since 2007) and performed as a resident orchestra at the Musica Riva International Festival (2013, Riva del Garda, Italy), the 9th Frederic Chopin International Competition for Young Pianists (2014, Foshan, China), the Al Bustan International Festival (2014-2016, Beirut, Lebanon), Malta International Music Festival (2018), the annual Armenian Composing Art Festival (since 2010) implemented with the support of RA Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport, Khachaturian International Festival (since 2013), “Armenia” International Music Festival (since 2017), “Contemporary Classics” Composers’ Festival (since 2017).
Bridging the musical traditions of East and West, Armenian and International musicians and composers like Valery Gergiev, Krzysztof Penderecki, Vladimir Spivakov, Maxim Vengerov, Denis Matsuev, Vadim Repin, Vag Papian, Boris Berezovsky, Zakhar Bron and many others are regularly showcased in the concert season.
Led by Smbatyan, the Orchestra released its first CD entitled “Music is the Answer” in 2011. Recorded with the Sony records label, the CD includes works by Pyotr Tchaikovsky, Dmitri Shostakovich and Armenian contemporary composer Eduard Hayrapetyan.
In addition to having an intense concert activity, the orchestra is well loved for its significant role in educating the young people of Armenia. Charitable events, special projects and all outreach and community performances are organized for the children of Armenia, which help to engage the Schoolchildren of the farther regions in the cultural life of the capital and to inseminate love towards the classical music in the younger generation. Since 2018, with the support of the RA Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport the Orchestra has been implementing the educational-cultural project DasA aimed at spreading classical music among the youth.
The Armenian State Symphony Orchestra is represented worldwide by Only Stage.