Terterian Symphonies Nos. 3 & 4 Voices from the East
Avet Rubeni Terterian’s Third and Fourth symphonies place focus on the self-immersion of music, their basis being the contemplation of human existence, its meaning, especially in response to tragedy.
In particular, Symphony No.3 conveys a sense of tragedy as Terterian was battling with grief after the loss of his brother in 1975, it was composed and performed by the Armenian Symphony Orchestra, led by David Khandijan, in the same year. The symphony was awarded the State Prize of the Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic in 1977.
Symphony No.4 was composed in the following year and was dedicated to David Kandijan after his performance of the Third Symphony. This work deals with mourning in a much more personal way and generally has a slower tempo than it’s predecessor, however it also takes the listener on a journey through Terterian’s imagination.
'Terterian's music represents a unique combination of eastern and western traditions; it gives performers an opportunity, and a responsibility, to shape and live music in a very individual way. It is like a mirror in which you look at yourself; it excites your imagination and takes you on a powerful emotional journey.'
