Two decades of artistic work will be celebrated during a single evening in the heart of Yerevan, as the Armenian State Symphony Orchestra concludes its 20th anniversary season with a major open-air gala concert.

The concert will take place on July 21, 2026, at 8:00 PM at the Cafesjian Sculpture Garden, located within Yerevan’s Cascade Complex. The orchestra will perform under the direction of Sergey Smbatyan, its Artistic Director and Principal Conductor.

Designed as a musical journey across different periods, styles and cultural traditions, the programme will combine major works from the classical repertoire with Armenian music, film scores and symphonic arrangements of internationally recognised rock and pop compositions.

The wide-ranging selection reflects an important part of the orchestra’s artistic identity: preserving the depth and discipline of symphonic performance while making orchestral music accessible to audiences with different musical backgrounds.

From Khachaturian and Tchaikovsky to Ravel and Shostakovich

The classical section of the programme will feature music by Aram Khachaturian, Pyotr Tchaikovsky, Dmitri Shostakovich, Maurice Ravel and Sir Karl Jenkins.

Audiences will hear selections from Khachaturian’s ballets Spartacus and Gayane, the finale from Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake Suite, Shostakovich’s Waltz No. 2, Jenkins’ Palladio and Ravel’s Boléro.

Together, these works will offer a broad view of orchestral expression, moving from dramatic ballet music and elegant dance rhythms to the gradual intensity of one of the best-known works in the symphonic repertoire.

Armenian Music at the Heart of the Celebration

Armenian musical culture will hold a central place in the anniversary concert. Alongside Khachaturian’s compositions, the orchestra will perform music by Tigran Mansurian, including material associated with the films A Piece of Sky, The Song of Old Days and Beyond Seven Mountains.

The programme will also include Charles Aznavour’s For You, Armenia, connecting the evening with a musical figure whose work continues to carry deep cultural significance for Armenian audiences around the world.

These selections present Armenian music not simply as a historical tradition, but as a living artistic language capable of speaking to contemporary audiences while remaining connected to memory, identity and place.

Building Bridges Between Musical Worlds

The concert will also move beyond the boundaries of the traditional classical programme. Symphonic versions of music associated with System Of A Down, Led Zeppelin and Michael Jackson will be presented alongside the established orchestral repertoire.

The inclusion of works such as Aerials, Kashmir, Earth Song and Billie Jean demonstrates how familiar music from rock and pop culture can gain new dimensions when reimagined through the scale, colour and expressive range of a symphony orchestra.

Rather than treating classical and contemporary music as separate worlds, the programme places them in conversation with one another. A work by Ravel, an Armenian film melody and an internationally known rock composition can belong to the same evening when they are connected through a coherent orchestral vision.

A Traditional Armenian Finale

The gala will conclude with the traditional Armenian dances Kochari and Yarkhushta, arranged by Serouj Baghdasaryan, also known as C-Rouge.

Known for their strong rhythms, collective energy and cultural symbolism, the dances are expected to bring the anniversary celebration to a powerful and distinctly Armenian conclusion. The orchestrations for the concert programme have been prepared by Martin Ulikhanyan.

Celebrating the Past and Looking Ahead

Over the past 20 years, the Armenian State Symphony Orchestra has developed into one of Armenia’s prominent cultural institutions. Its work has included ambitious artistic projects, international collaborations and programmes that present Armenian musical heritage alongside major works from the global repertoire.

The anniversary gala is therefore more than a retrospective celebration. It represents the orchestra’s continuing effort to connect tradition with creative experimentation, Armenian culture with the international music scene, and the concert stage with wider audiences.

On the evening of July 21, that journey will be heard through music ranging from Khachaturian and Tchaikovsky to Mansurian, Aznavour and some of the most recognisable names in modern popular culture.

The concert will celebrate the achievements of the orchestra’s first two decades while opening the door to the next chapter of its artistic development.

Audition Details and Application

The audition period is open from January 7 to February 22, 2026. Interested musicians are encouraged to apply promptly to secure their chance to participate in this ambitious project.

Applications can be submitted directly through the official form: Application Form.

JOSS: A Hub of Musical Excellence

The Seville Youth Symphony Orchestra has established itself as an essential benchmark for the training of young musicians in Spain. The ensemble combines youthful passion with high artistic demands, offering a vital platform for the development of new musical talent [1].

A History of Growth and Ambition

Founded in 2008, JOSS began as the Sinfonietta de San Francisco de Paula with just eight dedicated students. The initial goal was clear: to provide its members with high-quality orchestral practice, preparing them for the challenges of the professional classical music world [1].

Since its inception, JOSS has experienced extraordinary growth. Today, the program includes more than 130 active students who come from all over Spain to participate in this formative experience [1]. This expansion testifies to the success of its educational and artistic model.

Metrics of Success and Impact

The impact of JOSS on musical education is measurable through impressive figures. For the 2025/26 season, the orchestra boasts 130 active musicians. Furthermore, since its founding, it has trained over 650 students [1].

The stability of its members is also notable; the average stay of a student in JOSS is four courses, while some notable cases have a trajectory of more than eight years [1].

The orchestra has also attracted media attention, being described by Diario de Sevilla as a “high-flying outfit” after a spectacular video where they performed the Intermedio from La Boda de Luis Alonso on the rooftop of the Setas de la Encarnación [1].

Artistic Vision

The vision of JOSS aligns with a spirit of artistic freedom and ambition, summarized in the quote from Ludwig van Beethoven:

“ART DEMANDS OF US THAT WE DO NOT LIMIT OURSELVES” [1].

This guiding principle ensures that JOSS remains a dynamic and innovative force in the classical music landscape, inspiring the next generation of artists.

References

[1] Joven Orquesta Sinfónica de Sevilla – JOSS. jossevilla.es. http://jossevilla.es/