Stepan Rostomyan

Stepan Rostomyan (Ստեփան Ռոստոմյան, born April 4, 1956) is a famous Armenian composer.

He is one of Armenia’s key figures of the contemporary music scene, as well as a composer whose works have been performed and broadcast internationally.

Rostomyan studied in Yerevan Komitas State Conservatory composition faculty in classes of Professor Ghazaros Saryan and Avet Terteryan.

He became one of the most well known post Soviet Union composers who commissioned pieces for leading soloists and ensembles such as Oleg Kogan, Yuri Bashmet, David Geringas, London Sinfonietta, Ensemble Modern, Paragon Ensemble, among others.

Four times the Scottish Arts Council funded commissions to Rostomyan, and each of the premieres and performances according to Herald was rated as “sensational success” or a “smash hit”.

Stepan Rostomyan is an author of chamber and symphony pieces, mono opera, vocal and instrumental compositions.

Many of his pieces, according to Leonardo US magazine “became popular in the West”.

One of his recent pieces “Tagh of Angels” a triple of Taghs (medieval form of Armenian sacred song) has been numerously performed in Switzerland, UK and America to the highest acclaim.

Rostomyan authored music to many beloved films and theatrical performances.

Rostomyan is a frequent lecturer of Armenian music and culture in international conferences.

In 1989 he was invited to work at Glasgow University’s electro acoustic music studio and has afterwards established an electronic music department at the Yerevan Conservatory.

Students of Rostomyan’s class are leading young composers of Armenia who are winners of the first places at prestigious international composing competitions.

Mr. Rostomyan is one of "...about 500 leading composers of the second half of our century..."

from all over the world whose life and activity are included in the Contemporary Composers reference book, Gale Research International.

We had the real McCoy in Stepan Rostomyan’s utterly transcendent Third Symphony, which began deep in contemplation and built to an instrumental and electronic heavenly choir like what you have not heard, See ecstasy in music?

It brought the house down.

Definitely the smash hit of “New Beginnings” festival.

Michael Timelty (“Glasgow Herald”, November 27, 1989)

Atmospheric sounds of the Armenian Church music mingled with electronic strings and piano timbres and the acoustic instruments in a slow and solemn movement that reached a searingly intense climax.

Those two pieces rate as the best and the most sincere works so far played in the “New Beginnings” Festival.

Janet Beat (“Scotsman”, November 28, 1989)

Rostomyan’s Third Symphony-the great popular success of “New Beginnings”- carried its listeners inexorably from its wonderfully atmospheric opening, to the voluptuous, Holywoodish glamour of its heavenly chorus.

Jings, I was nearly greetin’ at it, transfixed by the sheer sonic splendor.

It had a soul like a calculation.

Michael Timelty (“Glasgow Herald”, November 29, 1989)

I was most intrigued by the Third Symphony.

It is a fascinating work and beautifully composed.

Mark Rais ( “A Special Issue of Leonardo”, USA Volume 24:2, 1991)

Third Symphony of Rostomyan is a genius piece.

Harold Hagopian (RCA/Victor BMG producer, 2002)

Stepan Rostomyan’s music reflects a synthesis of European and Oriental traditions, In Rostomyan’s music one can hear influences of the ancient Armenian monody; it is very coloristic and religious.

His Symphony and some miniatures – for example “The Angeles’” Canticles are popular in the West.

Rodion Shchedrin ( composer June, 2008)

We have been listening "Tagh of Angels" several times, so much we were taken by its tension and strong message.

This is really great and strong music.

President of BIM Editions /Switzerland/

Forth Symphony of Stepan Rostomyan is an excellent, well-crafted, uniquely interesting work

Clyde Smith /USA/ President of Vienna Modern Masters Festival