The Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra
Founded in 1925 by Arshak Adamian and Alexander Spendiaryan, and resident at Yerevan’s Aram Khachaturian Hall, the Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra (ANPO) is one of Eastern Europe’s leading orchestras. Under Topchjan’s leadership, the orchestra has undertaken extensive international touring, serving as an ambassador for Armenian arts and culture worldwide.
 
Since its foundation, ANPO has been committed to promoting cultural and musical awareness in Armenia. With diverse programming that celebrates both symphonic and operatic traditions, ANPO is also recognised for its commitment to contemporary music – with commissions from Dmitry Kabalevsky, Aram Khachaturian, and Krzysztof Penderecki, amongst others.
 
Throughout its history, ANPO has worked with leading artists. Amongst these are such names as David Oistrakh, Sviatoslav Richter, and Mstislav Rostropovich, and past Artistic Directors include Valery Gergiev (1981-1985).
 
The orchestra has a discography of over 40 recordings, released to critical acclaim on labels such as OEHMS Classics and BIS. ANPO also hosts the annual Yerevan International Music Festival, directed by Alexander Chaushian and Eduard Topchjan. The festival boasts a dynamic and multifaceted programme, with visits from artists of international renown.
 

Conductor: Eduard Topchjan
The outstanding Armenian conductor Eduard Topchjan studied violin at the Yerevan Conservatory and went on to study conducting with the prominent Armenian conductor Ohan Durian, followed by valuable consultations from Sir Georg Solti, Claudio Abbado and Nello Santi.
 
Eduard Topchjan made his debut with the Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra in 2000. That same year he was appointed Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of the ANPO and began successful appearances with the ANPO in Armenia and abroad. Maestro Topchjan earned much praise from the critics and the audience for his unique interpretations of the main symphonic and contemporary music repertoire.
 
In 2001 E. Topchjan appeared with the Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra in the Great Hall of the Moscow Conservatory, and in 2003 at the Bolshoi Theatre, both times to great acclaim. These concerts were followed by the ANPO tours in the Czech Republic, Germany, Slovakia, and France with remarkable appearances in Nuremberg, Prague, Brno, Bratislava, Paris, Lyon, Marseille, Nice and many other cities.
 
Eduard Topchjan has appeared with such celebrated artists as Placido Domingo, Pinchas Zukerman, Renato Bruson, Giuseppe Giacomini, Mischa Maisky, Yuri Bashmet, Sergey Khachatryan, Julia Fischer and many others.
 
Eduard Topchjan has been the Artistic Director of several significant festivals. Since 2007, together with cellist Alexander Chaushian, he has founded the Yerevan International Music Festival, becoming its artistic directors. This is an annual event, which hosts numerous world-famous and local musicians. Topchjan’s vast repertoire includes works from baroque to contemporary symphonic pieces as well as chamber orchestra repertoire and operas. A number of pieces by the composers from Armenia and abroad have been dedicated to Maestro and the Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra.
 
In August 2014 the Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Eduard Topchjan participated in prestigious festivals in Italy, appearing with concerts in Rimini, Citta di Castello, Merano and Ravello. In October 2014 he conducted the Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra when it appeared in Austria and Germany with a noteworthy concert at the Brucknerhaus in Linz. In April 2015 he conducted the Russian National Orchestra and Yurlov State Russian Capella having performed a famous Requiem by Vyacheslav Artyomov. His appearance with Malaga Symphony Orchestra in November 2015 was highly acclaimed by Spanish media.
 
In 2016 E. Topchjan conducted the ANPO within the “Stars of the White Nights” festival in Saint-Petersburg with utmost success. In 2017-2018 season took place the ANPO’s tours in Spain, South America and Germany (twice). On November 28, 2018 the Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Maestro Topchjan appeared at Berlin Konzerhaus in a concert dedicated to the 115th birth anniversary of Aram Khachaturian. The performance was honored by the presence of the President of Armenia Mr. Armen Sarkissian.
 
Eduard Topchjan’s extraordinary talent and conducting style has attracted the attention of the world audiences and gained him highest critical and public acclaim. In 2007 he was granted the title of Meritorious Worker of Arts of Armenia and in 2011 he was awarded a Gold Medal of the Ministry of Culture of Armenia. In 2013, Maestro Topchjan was granted knighthood with the Italian Order of Merit for Labour (OML). In 2016 Eduard Topchjan was awarded the Medal of Services to the Motherland. During his tenure the Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra celebrating its 90th consecutive season received the status of the ‘National’ orchestra.