Parsegh Ganatchian

Parsegh Ganatchian (17 April 1885 – 21 May 1967) was an Armenian composer, conductor, and sociocultural activist. He is best-known for his part in arranging the music to Mer Hayrenik (Our Fatherland), the Armenian national anthem. He comes from a modest background; his father was a shoemaker. Career Ganatchian was born in Rodosto (present-day Tekirdağ), in the Ottoman Empire. In 1888 his family moved to Constantinople (present-day Istanbul), where he received his primary education in Gedikpaşa Armenian school. Hamidian Massacres forced the family to move to Bulgaria, through Sliven to Varna, where he studied music theory, took lessons in the violin and conducting lessons under the supervision of . In 1903, Ganatchian studied playing the piano and harmony in Bucharest, returning to Istanbul in 1908, where he formed the “Knar” wind orchestra (in Armenian «Քնար»). His meeting with Komitas Vardapet in December 1910 was a decisive milestone in his career. Ganatchian also established the , while continuing his education in harmony and conducting. In 1919, he conducted a concert dedicated to Komitas and his works with 300 singers and musicians. Starting in 1920, Ganatchian continued his m