Armenian State Symphony Orchestra

Armenian State Symphony Orchestra
Orchestra
Former name	State Youth Orchestra of Armenia
Founded	2005 (2005)
Website	armsymphony.am

The Armenian State Symphony Orchestra (ASSO) is the national symphony orchestra of Armenia, founded by Armenian conductor Sergey Smbatyan in 2005, as the State Youth Orchestra of Armenia.^[1][2] It became the Armenian State Symphony Orchestra in 2018. As of 2020, Smbatyan remains the orchestra's artistic director and principal conductor.^[2]

In 2019–20, the orchestra's artist-in-residence is the violinist Maxim Vengerov and their composer-in-residence is Alexey Shor.^[3]

On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of famous composer Charles Aznavour, the Armenian State Symphony Orchestra will release instrumental arrangements of his pieces for cello and orchestra. These arrangements will be created in collaboration with French cellist Camille Thomas and music producer and sound engineer Christopher Alder.^[4]

Armenian State Symphony Orchestra will perform at the Dubai Film Music Festival from May 9 to May 13, 2024. The orchestra is the official performer of the event and it will put on five concerts with compositions of well-known films. The event program will be dedicated to the Ennio Morricone’s creative work, the famous Italian composer, who has won two Academy Awards and three Golden Globes. The orchestra and the festival choir will be led by conductor Andrea Morricone who is his son. On May 11, there will be a musical concert with “Star Wars” soundtrack, created by John Williams, the American composer. On May 12, the audience will hear works of Hans Zimmer, the German composer, who was awarded an Academy Award, a Golden Globe and three Grammy Awards. Anthony Gabriel will conduct both concerts. On May 13, Timothy Brock will conduct the closing concert presenting music from Charlie Chaplin’s films and reconstructing atmosphere of the silent cinema. Concerts will be held on the Dubai Opera stage.^[5]