Mirzoian, Edvard

Born May 12, 1921, in Gori. Soviet composer. People’s Artist of the Armenian SSR (1963). Became a member of the CPSU in 1952 and of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Armenia in 1964.

Mirzoian graduated from the Yerevan Conservatory in 1941, where he had studied in V. G. Tal’ian’s composition class. He has written cantatas (Armenia, 1948; Festive Cantata, 1949; Soviet Armenia, 1950), a symphony for string orchestra and kettledrums (1962), an overture for symphony orchestra (1947), a work for violin and orchestra (Perpetual Motion, 1957), a sonata for cello and piano (1967), romances, songs, and music for films. In 1957, Mirzoian became the chairman of the administrative board of the Composers’ Union of the Armenian SSR. He teaches at the Yerevan Conservatory, where he has been a professor since 1965. A deputy to the fifth through eighth convocations of the Supreme Soviet of the Armenian SSR, Mirzoian has been awarded the Order of Lenin, the Order of the Badge of Honor, and various medals.