War Years
Donald Macleod focuses on the time when Khachaturian's Masquerade waltz became a big hit, before its success was cut short after Germany invaded Soviet Russia in 1941.
His famous Sabre Dance was once the most frequently played piece of music in the world, this week Donald Macleod explores the life and music of Aram Khachaturian.
The writer Alexei Tolstoy became a huge fan of Khachaturian after hearing the composer's music for his stage production, Masquerade, . However, the popularity of Masquerade was shortlived, due to the invasion of Russia by Germany. One work which did go on to have a huge international appeal during the war years was Khachaturian's Violin Concerto, which won the composer a Stalin Prize amounting to 50,000 roubles.
During World War Two, Khachaturian, like many other composers, was evacuated to the country where he was encouraged to continue composing for the national cause. It was during this period that Khachaturian composed his Symphony No 2, which he said "embodied everything that the people think and feel today". The symphony was seen as a requiem of wrath, and a protest against war and violence.
Last on
Music Played
![]()
Aram Khachaturian
Concerto for cello and orchestra
Conductor: Vladimir Ashkenazy. Orchestra: Gothenburg S O.. Performer: Mats Lindström.- BIS.
![]()
Aram Khachaturian
Concerto for cello and orchestra
Conductor: Vladimir Ashkenazy. Orchestra: Gothenburg S O.. Performer: Mats Lindström.- BIS.
![]()
Aram Khachaturian
Masquerade - Romance
Orchestra: London Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Stanley Black.- DECCA.
![]()
Aram Khachaturian
Masquerade - Waltz
Orchestra: London Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Stanley Black.- DECCA.
![]()
Aram Khachaturian
Masquerade - Romance
Orchestra: London Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Stanley Black.- DECCA.
![]()
Aram Khachaturian
Masquerade - Waltz
Orchestra: London Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Stanley Black.- DECCA.
![]()
Aram Khachaturian
3 Concert arias for soprano and orchestra - if I were a scarlet coral
Orchestra: Armenian Philharmonic Rock Orchestra. Conductor: Loris Tjeknavorian. Singer: Hasmik Hatsagortsian.- ASV.
![]()
Aram Khachaturian
3 Concert arias for soprano and orchestra - if I were a scarlet coral
Orchestra: Armenian Philharmonic Rock Orchestra. Conductor: Loris Tjeknavorian. Singer: Hasmik Hatsagortsian.- ASV.
![]()
Aram Khachaturian
Concerto in D minor for violin and orchestra
Orchestra: Royal Scottish National Orchestra. Conductor: Neeme Järvi. Performer: Lydia Mordkovitch.- CHANDOS.
![]()
Aram Khachaturian
Symphony no. 2 - Andante Sostenuto
Orchestra: Royal Scottish National Orchestra. Conductor: Neeme Järvi.- CHANDOS.
![]()
Aram Khachaturian
Concerto in D minor for violin and orchestra
Orchestra: Royal Scottish National Orchestra. Conductor: Neeme Järvi. Performer: Lydia Mordkovitch.- CHANDOS.
![]()
Aram Khachaturian
Symphony no. 2 - Andante Sostenuto
Orchestra: Royal Scottish National Orchestra. Conductor: Neeme Järvi.- CHANDOS.
Broadcasts
- Wed 29 Oct 201412:00BBC Radio 3
- Wed 29 Oct 201418:30BBC Radio 3
Beethoven Unleashed – the box set
The complete set of Radio 3 Beethoven Unleashed podcasts, with Donald Macleod.
What was really wrong with Beethoven?
Georgia Mann and neurosurgeon Henry Marsh examine the composer's numerous health problems
Composers A to Z
Visit the extensive audio archive of Radio 3 programmes about Composers and their works.
Who knew? Five eye-opening stories from Composer of the Week
The production team reflects on 5 of Donald Macleod’s best stories from the last 20 years
Five reasons why we love Parry's Jerusalem
What is the strange power of Jerusalem which makes strong men weep?
A man out of time – why Parry's music and ideas were at odds with his image...
The composer of Jerusalem was very far from the conservative figure his image suggests.
Composer Help Page
Find resources and contacts for composers from within the classical music industry.
