ANNIVERSARY. VARDAN ATCHEMIAN

– I was born into a family of famous musicians. It was both easy and difficult. It was easy because from birth I was surrounded by art, interacted with great musicians, artists, theater critics and actors. It was difficult in the sense that I had a very strong sense of responsibility that was constantly pressing on me. Every time I wrote a note, I automatically wondered whether my grandfather, the famous theater director, People’s Artist of the USSR Vardan Atchemian, or my father, the composer, People’s Artist of the Armenian SSR Alexander Atchemian, would like it. Almost every day I was taken to the theater, and behind the scenes I watched how great actors came out on stage, how excited they were. It was something indescribable. My grandmother, a famous Armenian actress, People’s Artist of the USSR and the Armenian SSR Arus Asryan, always took me to the Echmiadzin Cathedral on Sundays. I received my first vivid musical impression after listening to Makar Ekmalyan’s “Patarag”. I was simply amazed by this beautiful music. “Patarag” seems to constantly guide me in my life and my work.