Recorded live,
Eugene Oregon 2008
Camille Perez-selsky, Clarinet
Angie McConkey Violin
Mihyun Kim, Piano
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Aram Khachaturian 1903-1978
Trio for Clarinet, Violin and Piano (1932)
Aram Ilyich Khachaturian was born into a poor Armenian family, on 6 June 1903 in Tbilisi, Georgia. Despite having received little formal musical training during the early years, Khachaturian took a great interest in the folk music of his native homeland, though didn’t begin learning how to read or write music until later in his life. Not knowing a word of Russian, Khachaturian joins his brother in Moscow in 1921. Showing an exceptional aptitude towards music, Khachaturian is admitted to the Gnessin Institute where he studied cello under Mikhail Gnessin. Four years later Khachaturian is admitted to the Moscow Conservatory where he studied with Nikolai Myaskovsky, beginning his compositional studies in earnest. An enthusiastic supporter a communism, Khachaturian along with Shostakovich and Prokofiev momentarily enjoyed the full support of the communist party under Stalin. But like many of his compatriots was soon condemned (accused of writing formalist and unpopular music) by the establishment and forced to publicly apologize for his egregious offenses. The realization of what had become of the principles he had given so much support to was a traumatic blow to Khachaturian, though did not detour him from writing music that borrowed heavily from the Slavic folk traditions. Khachaturian died in Moscow in 1978, and was soon after immortalized on Armenian currency in commemoration of the contributions made to the cultural assets of the Armenian people.
Perhaps best known for his the rhythmically stirring Sabre dance from his ballet Gayane and score for the film Spartacus, a variety of pieces written for large ensemble exist, yet are rarely performed outside of Armenia. The Trio for Clarinet, Violin and Piano (1932) is one of two chamber works, and was written while Khachaturian was still actively involved with the Moscow Conservatory in the early part of his career.
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