Michael Terian

Viola-player, conductor and pedagogue, People's Artist of the Republic of Armenia, Laureate of the USSR Government honors. Michael Terian graduated from the Department of String Instruments of Tchaikovsky conservatory in Moscow. Until 1940, he had been one of the leading viola-players in the former USSR. He is a founder of Komitas String Quartet in 1924, remaining its viola-player until 1946. During the same period of time (1929-1931 and 1941-1945) he filled the position of viola soloist at orchestra of Theatre Bolshoi in Moscow.

Michael Terian has appeared with musicians like David Oistrakh, Lev Oborin, Sergei Knushevitski in Chamber Music concerts.

In the late 1940s he took up conducting seriously.

From 1946 to 1973 he directed the students' symphony orchestra of the Moscow conservatory, and in 1961 he founded the students' Chamber orchestra of the conservatory. That Chamber orchestra under his leadership successfully toured throughout former USSR, Europe and South America and in 1970 won the 1st Prize at the International Festival organized by Herbert von Karajan Fund in Berlin.

From 1957 to 1960 he was the Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of the Moscow Philharmonic.

From 1965 to 1966 he was the Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of the Armenian Philharmonic Orchestra.

Michael Terian along with artistic career was also actively involved in teaching. He coached string quartet and viola classes at Moscow conservatory. His teaching career resulted in the position of the Chair of Opera and Symphony Conducting Department.

Renowned Armenian cellist Heronti Talalian was one of Mr.Terian's students.

"6 Etudes for Viola" and many compositions of incidental music for theater.