History

The Armenian Philharmonic Orchestra was founded in 1925 as a symphony orchestra of the Yerevan Conservatory. Over the years, conductors A. Adamyan, A. Spendiaryan, S. Charekyan, G. Budaghyan, K. Saradjian, M. Maluntsyan, O. Durian, M.Teryan, R. Vartanyan, A. Katanyan, D. Khandjian, V. Gergiev, V. Papyan, M. Avetisyan and L. Tjeknavorian directed the orchestra. In October 2000 Eduard Topchjan was appointed the Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of the APO.

Since its foundation, the orchestra has performed most of the classical repertoire. Many of the world’s leading artists such as D. Oistrach, S. Richter, M. Rostropovich, R. Bruson, S. Isserlis, D. Geringas, B. Glemser,   F-J. Thiollier, P. Domingo and many others, as well as already established and emerging Armenian musicians have appeared with this orchestra. A. Melik-Pashayev, V. Ferrero, F. Konvichny, K. Masur and several other composers have conducted the orchestra. A. Khachaturian, D. Kabalevsky and other composers have conducted their works with the accompaniment of the Armenian Philharmonic Orchestra.

Since 1989 the APO has toured extensively throughout the USA, Canada, Austria, Germany, France, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Lebanon, Spain, Portugal, the United Kingdom, Greece, Iran, Cyprus, Turkey, Russia, UAE and other countries. More than 30 CDs have been released with the orchestra’s recordings.

During 2000-2001 season the APO directed by E. Topchjan had successful performances in Moscow and Berlin. On January 2003 the APO participated in the opening of the “Aram Khachaturian International Music Year” in Moscow. In 2006-2007 concert season the APO toured to the Czech Republic and France, in 2009 to Japan and in 2010 to Germany and Slovakia.