1937-54 Iran
Born in Broudjerd, 13 October 1937, son of an Armenian immigrant family. Studies violin, piano. Attends Tehran Conservatory.
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1954-61 Vienna
Attends Vienna Academy of Music (1954-61), studying composition, violin and choral conducting, graduating cum laudem in composition Concerts of his compositions in Vienna, Graz and Salzburg (1959-60) • ORF Austrian Radio broadcasts .
Violin Concerto. Ballet Fantastique. Piano works, chamber music, song cycles, etc.
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1961-63 Tehran, Vienna
Shortly after his graduation from the Vienna Music Academy, four of Tjeknavorian's piano compositions and his ballet fantastique were published by Doeblinger in Vienna. Tjeknavorian taught music theory at the Teheran Conservatory of Music. At the same time, he was appointed director of the National Music Archives by the Iranian Ministry for Culture and was in charge of collecting and researching traditional Iranian folk-music and national instruments. During this period the Austrian pianist Winfried van den Hove premiered Tjeknavorian's piano concerto with the Teheran Symphony Orchestra and recorded all his other piano compositions for ORF, the Austrian broadcasting station.
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1963-64 Salzburg
At around the same time, Tjeknavorian began to compose his tragic opera based on a famous Iranian epic poem "Rostam and Sohrab", written in the 10th century by the Iranian poet A. Ferdowsi. In 1963, Prof. Carl Orff granted him a scholarship which allowed him to reside in Salzburg and to complete his opera. During his stay in Salzburg, Tjeknavorian composed some 150 piano pieces, all based on traditional Armenian folk-music, for the Orff-Schulwerk. A number of these compositions were published by Verlag Schott. Composed the first Iranian film music "Duel under the Sun".
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1965-70
USA University of Michigan, Teaching Fellow (1965-66: DMA program, composition and began to study conducting with the Prof. Elizabeth Green) • Concordia College, Minnesota, Composer-in-Residence (1966-67) • Moorhead State University, Associate Professor, Composer-in-Residence, Head of Instrumental & Opera Program (1967-70) • Director, Central Minnesota Summer Music Academy (1969).

Conducts Calgary Symphony Orchestra (soloist Teresa Stratas), St Paul Chamber Orchestra Concerts with the combined Minnesota and Moorhead State University Orchestras. Various opera productions (Gluck, Menotti, Mozart).
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1970-75 Tehran, London
Composer-in-Residence, Iranian Ministry of Culture & Fine Arts • Principal Conductor, Tehran "Rudaki" Opera and Ballet • UK orchestral debut, Manchester July 1974. Signed exclusive contract with RCA

Novello & Co UK, Retained Composer • Persepolis 2500 .Simorgh: an Iranian Dance Drama for national instruments premiered Roudaki Opera House; London premiere at Sadler's Wells. Pardis and Parisa (fairy tale opera) premiered Rudaki Opera House. Persian Miniatures. Symphony No 1 (Requiem for the Massacred ). Armenian Bagatelles. Wind Quintet, etc • David Wilde and the Halle' Orchestra premiere revised version of Piano Concerto • More than forty feature film, television and documentary scores. Receives Hamayoun Order & Medal for Persepolis 2500 Trustee, Shahbanou Farah Pahlavi Foundation. Made over fifty recordings, many of which have been highly praised and some of them nominated for "Best recordings of the month and year".
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1975-88 London, USA, Touring
Royal Festival Hall debut (Philharmonia) conducting Rimsky-Korsakov's Scheherazade, London December 1975 • Royal Albert Hall debut (London Symphony Orchestra) conducting Tchaikovsky's Pathetique Symphony in the presence of HRH Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother and HSH Shahbanou Farah Pahlavi, London April 1976 • Khachaturian Memorial Concert (London Symphony Orchestra) in the presence of HRH Prince & Princess Michael of Kent, Royal Festival Hall October 1978 • London symphonic choral debut (London Symphony Orchestra & Chorus) conducting Berlioz's Grande messe des morts, Royal Albert Hall February 1979 • Barbican debut (London Symphony Orchestra), London August 1982.
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During this period Tjeknavorian was based in London and New York where he made recordings and gave concerts with major orchestras and eminent artists. He was equally committed to his works of composition and wrote a guitar concerto,which was commissioned and premiered by the Nebraska chamber Orchestra. premiered by Pepe Romero; his Symphony No. 4, performed by the American Symphony Orchestra in New York; his ballet of "Othello", commissioned by the Northern Ballet Company in London (Princess Ann attended the premiere); a violin concerto performed by the London Philharmonic Orchestra; the Fairy tale Suites No. 1 and 2, performed by the London Symphony, and the CREDO - Symphony performed by the Helsinky Philharmonic Orchestra. Lake Van Suite(commissioned by Granada Television UK for use as their daily call-sign). Moods for oboe & percussion. Life of Christ (a cappella oratorio) based on the medieval Armenian Chants. Requiem (commissioned by the Gulbenkian Foundation, premiered in Lisbon). Sonata for Good Friday for Organ; Simorgh An Iranian dance Drama staged by London Ballet Company; The London Philharmonic Orchestra, performed "The Piano Concerto" The English chamber orchestra premiered the "Erebouni" for 12 solo strings and The Serenade for String ensemble. The Symphony No. 3 "2000" commissioned by the Moorhead State University and it was premiered by the Rio de Janeiro Symphony orchestra. The Mexico Philharmonic Orchestra premiered the Symphonic Poem "Armenia 1700" etc.
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Guest Conductor - American Symphony Orchestra (New York), Cape Town Symphony Orchestra, Danish National Radio Symphony Orchestra, Haifa Symphony Orchestra, Halle Orchestra, Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, Hungarian State Symphony Orchestra, London Philharmonic Orchestra, London Symphony Orchestra, Mexico State Symphony Orchestra, National Philharmonic Orchestra, New Orleans Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra, NIRTV Chamber Orchestra (Tehran), Philharmonia, Rio de Janeiro Symphony Orchestra, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, RTE National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland (Dublin), SABC National Symphony Orchestra (Johannesburg), Toluca Symphony Orchestra (Mexico), Yomiuri Nippon Symphony Orchestra • English Chamber Orchestra, London Percussion Virtuosi (LSO), Nebraska Chamber Orchestra, Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra (Minnesota)
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Touring • USSR, Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, Poland, Rumania with NIRTV Chamber Orchestra of Tehran • Iran with English Chamber Orchestra • Japan with Birgit Nillson and the Yomiuri Nippon Symphony Orchestra, replacing Karl Boehm • Germany with Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra • Europe and USA with Armenian Philharmonic Orchestra
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Premieres • Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra give European premiere of Symphony
No 2 (Credo Symphony ). Symphony No 3 (commissioned by Moorhead State University). Symphony No 4 (commissioned by Nebraska Chamber Orchestra). Toluca Symphony Orchestra (Mexico) premieres Symphony No 5 • Ralph Holmes and the London Philharmonic give UK premiere of Violin Concerto. Pepe Romero premieres Guitar Concerto • Northern Ballet Company UK commissions Of Othello, premiered in the presence of HRH the Princess Royal. London Symphony Orchestra premieres orchestral Suites Nos. 1 & 2 from the fairy tale opera Pardis and Parisa. Mexico State Symphony Orchestra premieres orchestral Suite from the opera Rostam and Sohrab
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Founder member & Chairman, Institute of Armenian Music, London and Music Armenia 78 - first international festival and conference of Armenian music (1976-80, under the honorary patronage of Khachaturian and Yehudi Menuhin) • Composer-in-Residence, American - Armenian International College, La Verne University (1979-82) • Founder - member 8 Program Advisor, Armenian Musical Studies, USC School of Performing Arts, Los Angeles (1980-81)
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Honorary Professor, Komitas Conservatory, Yerevan (1978, in succession to Khachaturian). For services to sacred music first recipient of the Cultural Order of St. Mesrop Mashtotz conferred by His Holiness Vasken I, Supreme Catholicos of All Armenians • Composes complete setting of the Book of Revelations (King James version) for soloists, chorus and orchestra
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1989-97 Vienna, Armenia
Director, Armenian Earthquake Appeal Benefit Gala Concert, Carnegie Hall New York. Guest artists include Rostropovich, Domingo and Ramey. For this occasion, Tjeknavorian composed his work "In Memoriam" which was premiered at this concert with the members of the American Symphony Orchestra (New York) The benefit raised $500,000.
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The Armenian Prime Minister Fadeh Sarksyan approved of Tjeknavorian's wish to help the Armenian people to restore cultural life in earthquake areas, especially around Leninakan-Gyumri. Tjeknavorian immediately left for Armenia and worked voluntarily for the betterment of the cultural scene. He founded an orchestra and a chorus and carried out several other projects. In summer 1989 he was appointed Principal Conductor and Artistic Director of the Armenian Philharmonic Orchestra (APO) in Yerevan.
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Armenian Earthquake Appeal. Leads a pilgrimage walk from Yerevan to Gyumri (formerly Leninakan), joined by more than one million people • With publicly donated monies and funds received from the Armenian General Benevolent Union, New York (Louise Manoogian Simone, President), founds the Academy of Arts in Gyumri (inaugurated October 1997), establishes an orchestra, choir, dance and chamber ensembles, and builds the television station.
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In Armenia, Tjeknavorian also involved himself on a social and political level. He participated in a campaign for Armenia's independence from the Soviet Union. This "YES"-campaign had its climax in a marathon television broadcast with the APO which influenced Armenians in their decision to vote for independence. He also fought for the acknowledgment of the national flag, the national anthem and for renaming streets, etc.
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As the Music Director & Principal Conductor, Armenian Philharmonic Orchestra historically, the first ever non-resident artist to hold a full-time post in the former Soviet Union • With funding aid from the Armenian General Benevolent Union, New York, develops and consolidates the orchestra's international profile • Touring schedule - USA (twice), Europe (twice, including visits to Belgium, Cyprus, England, France, Germany, Holland, Luxembourg, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland), Austria (five times), Greece (six times). Following the 1979 Revolution, first western orchestra invited to tour Iran • Secures international recording contract with ASV London (1991) • Concert seasons feature the Viennese classics, integral Beethoven and Brahms cycles, symphonies by Tchaikovsky, Bruckner, Mahler, Prokofiev and Shostakovich, 20th century British, American and French works, contemporary Armenian music, and core choral repertory such as the Mozart, Brahms and Verdi Requiems • In addition to these commitments, establishes the Yerevan Municipal Symphony Orchestra and APO Chorus • 1994 started the weekly sacred music hour concert series.
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For three consecutive years invited with the Armenian Philharmonic to participate in ORF Austrian Television's annual Christmas "Licht ins Dunkel" concerts, telecast to over 500 million worldwide . ORF commissions the orchestra to record a series of official Christmas CD recordings • ORF produces a television documentary about LORIS TJEKNAVORIAN and Armenia - "Brother helps Brother" • Appears with the Armenian Philharmonic at the Vienna Summer Festival, "Klagenbogen" and takes part in the ORF Concert for Jeunesse Musicale.
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Othello ballet staged, concert version of the opera Rostam and Sohrab, Ararat Suite for orchestra, and two song cycles for voice and orchestra (Love Story, Eternal Love ) premiered in Yerevan.

Government of Armenia awards LORIS TJEKNAVORIAN Khorenatzi Medal for cultural services to Armenia. Receives Gold Medal from University of Armenia; Honorary Citation, Armenian Academy of Arts and Sciences • Macedonian Silver Orb conferred by Bishop Bartolomeus I of Constantinople, Ecumenical Patriarch of the Eastern Orthodox Churches. Awarded Golden Cross of the Rumanian Church.

1997-2000 Yerevan
The International Star Registry permanently names a star - “Pegasus RA 22h 46m 32;99S d22*00’55.008” - after Loris Tjeknavorian.

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Significant Events

April 1998: performance of Tjeknavorian's Symphony No. 1 "Requiem for the Massacred" with the Armenian Philharmonic Orchestra (APO) and Choir at the Athens famed MEGARON Concert Hall conducted by the composer.

August 1999: Tjeknavorian conducts two concerts with the APO at the Baalbek International Music Festival in Lebanon.

Tjeknavorian continues to conduct weekly concerts at the Aram Khachaturian Concert Hall in Yerevan with the APO and records CDs for the London-based ASV label with works by Khachaturian, Glinka, Ippolitov-Ivanov, Babadjanian and Tjeknavorian.

During this period Tjeknavorian was also active as composer. He has composed Two love Song cycels for Soprano, Tenor and Orchestra. Nostalgia for Piano and Orchestra. "Straussiana" Waltz dedicated to J. Strauss. Fantasy for Orchestra. Premiered the "Armenian Rapsody" for Cello and Orchestra with Alexander Chaushyan and the APO. The String Quartet (Armenian Bagatelles) with Ani String Quartet. Six Motets "God is Love" for Choir and Orchestra etc.
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2000-2004 Vienna
Significant Events

February: Tjeknavorian conducts the premiere of the concert version of his opera "Rostam and Sohrab" at the 15th International Music Festival "FAJR" at the Vahdat (RUDAKI) Concert Hall with the APO and Choir.

Following the success of "Rostam and Sohrab", the President of Iran, Dr. Khatemi, invites Tjeknavorian to a private audience and placed the opera's score in the Presidential Museum.

May: Tjeknavorian and the APO are awarded the "Japanese Government Grant" of a half-million dollars (USD) for musical and recording equipment.

June-July: Tjeknavorian conducts all 10 concerts of the "Vienna Music Festival" with the APO and Choir with soloists from Austria. This series presented works by major Austrian composers. The festival was co-sponsored by the City of Vienna's Cultural Department and the APO.

Following the "Vienna Music Festival", Tjeknavorian resigns his post as the APO's Music Director (a tenure of 11 years) in order to devote more time to composing and conducting international orchestras.

September: Tjeknavorian conducts the Brno Opera Gala Concert in Brno, Czech Republic.

October: Tjeknavorian is invited to be the visiting composer/conductor at the Hong Kong Academy of Arts.

December: Tjeknavorian conducts the Bangkok Symphony Orchestra " Celebration concert on the Occasion of His Majesty the king of Thailand's 72nd Birthday".

Tjeknavorian conducts the Teheran Symphony Orchestra's season finale at the Vahdat "RUDAKI" Concert Hall. This was Tjeknavorian's first concert after the Islamic Revolution of 1979.
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2001
February: Tjeknavorian is invited by the Iranian Music Center and the City of Vienna Cultural Department to conduct all five concerts of the "Vienna Music Festival" at the Vahdat "RUDAKI" Concert Hall with the Teheran Symphony Orchestra, members of the Vienna-based Gustav Mahler Orchestra, Austrian soloists, and members of the APO and Choir. This series was part of the "FAJR" Iranian International Music Festival.

April: Tjeknavorian conducts the Vienna Symphony Orchestra at Vienna's famed Musikvereinsaal with his Symphony No. 2 "Credo" and Suite from the opera "Rostam and Sohrab."

May: Tjeknavorian conducts Jeff Manookian's "Symphony of Tears" with the Intermountain Classical Orchestra and the Oratorio Society of Utah at the Salt Lake Tabernacle.

May: Tjeknavorian conducts the Mormon Tabernacle Choir which is nationally televised.

August: Tjeknavorian conducts the Mexico Symphony Orchestra which program includes his Piano Concerto with soloist Jeff Manookian.

August-Septemer: Tjeknavorian conducts the premiere of Chookhadjian's opera "Arshak II" at the San Francisco Opera House.

Invited to take part at the Hong Kong Contemporary Music Festival to conduct his Piano Concerto.

Conducts all five concerts of the "Vienna Music Festival" in Hong Kong, co-sponsored by the City of Vienna Cultural Department and the Hong Kong Academy of Arts.

December: Tjeknavorian conducts the Gala Opera Concert with the Bangkok Symphony.
"SHAHRE KETAB" commissions Tjeknavorian for three additional operas "The Tragedy Of Zal" to complete a cycle of four operas (with "Rostam and Sohrab" being the first of this series) about the life and death of the Iranian hero, Rostam.

Received permission from "Fisher verlag" for use of Franz Wefel's text "Forty Days of Musadagh" for a new opera commission.
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2002
Austria
The European premier of opera "Rostam & Sohrab" (Concert vertion) at the St. Pöltner festspielhaus. With NTO Symphony Orchestra, Bratislava Philharmonic Choir and well known Austrian soloists conducted by the composer.

Tehran,Iran
Concert Performance of the opera "Rostam and Sohrab" at the amphitheater, Tehran

Australia
Concert Tour to Australia, Hong Kong with the Armenia String Virtuosi.

Tehran,Iran
Taking part as composer and conductor at the Beethoven Festival with Jenear Philharmonie.

Tehran,Iran
Conducting series of concerts at the Tehran International "Word and Us" music Festival.

Yerevan
Tjeknavorian founds The Armenian Virtuosi Ensemble-Orchestra and Choir.


USA
The American Biographical Institute awards Tjeknavorian with a commemorative medal for “Man of the Year”

Tehran, Iran

The premiere of Khosrow & Shirin and Shirin & Farhat
Narration: Jale Sadeghian
Music based on Loris Tjeknavorian’s “Love Songs Without Words”
Performed by the Armenian String Virtuosi

Tehran,Iran
Tjeknavorian conducts the Armenian Virtuosi and soloists at the “We and the World” Music Festival.

Germany
Music from Tjeknavorian’s Fairytale Suite (Pardis & Parisa) is featured in commercials for BMW’s 7er Series automobile

Tehran,Iran
Tjeknavorian Completes his third opera “Rostam & Esfandiar”
Based on the poem by Ferdowsi with a libretto by Tjeknavorian
Commissioned by the Tehran Book City

Leyli & Majnun: A love Story by Nezami
Narration: Jale Sadeghian
Music by Baroque, Classical, Romantic and Modern composers
Performed by the Armenian Virtuosi
Conducted by Loris Tjeknavorian
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2003

Los Angeles
Tjeknavorian conducts the Aram Khachaturian 100 Gala Concert with the Los Angeles Symphony Orchestra at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion.

The Khachaturian 100 committee present Tjeknavorian with the Khachaturian Medal for recording, conducting and promoting Khachaturian’s compositions.

Tehran
A live performance of Tjeknavorian’s music accompanying the silent movie “Othello” (1922) directed by D. Bucowetzki.
Performed by the Armenian Virtuosi
Conducted by Loris Tjeknavorian

Tjeknavorian conducts the Tehran Symphony Orchestra, Choir and soloists for the world premiere of the prominent Iranian composer Said Sharifian’s sacred oratorio "Khosuf: The Last days of Emam Hosein”

Brisbane, Australia
Conducts and records several concerts of works by Western and Armenian composers with the Armenian String Virtuosi for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

Tehran
Festival of Music: Baroque and Modern Music by Iranian and Armenian composers with soloists for Iran and Armenia

Tjeknavorian conducts a concert with the famous Iranian-Kurdish singer Shahram Nazeri and The Armenian Virtuosi Orchestra and Choir at Tehran’s Milad Hall

A concert performance of Tjeknavorian’s opera “Rostam and Sohrab” at Milad Hall.
Armenian Virtuosi Orchestra, Chorus and soloists
Conducted by Loris Tjeknavorian

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2004-2008 Vienna, Tehran

Yerevan
Tjeknavorian is commissioned by the Iranian Ministry of Culture to record his opera “Rostam and Sohrab” for the Tehran Marionette Theater with the Armenian Philharmonic Orchestra, Choir and soloists.

Beirut, Lebanon
Three concerts at the UNESCO Hall
Performed with the Armenian Virtuosi

Paris
Benefit concert for the victims of the Bam earthquake at the Eglise Saint-Sulprice
Performed with the Armenian String Virtuosi

Benefit concert for the victims of the Bam earthquake at the Conservotoire Niedermeyer Hall.
Performed with the Armenian String Virtuosi



London-Royal Festival Hall
Tjeknavorian conducts a benefit concert for the victims of the Bam earthquake with singer Sharam Nazeri and the Armenian Virtuosi. Program includes works by Western and Iranian composers.

Tehran
Tjeknavorian is presented with a Decree-Order for Artistic Achievement by the Iranian Minister of Culture Mr. Masjed Jamei.

Tjeknavorian composes and records his orchestral work “Conflict & Dialogue” based on verses by Hafez. Commissioned for the international conference “Dialogue Among Civilizations” and performed by the Armenian Philharmonic Orchestra ,soloists and Choir.

World Premier in Vahdat hall of “The Songs of Peace”, a classic-rock symphony by Shahryar Cohanzad.
Performed by Shahryar Cohanzad with the Armenian Virtuosi Orchestra & Choir and including solo electric guitar, drums and electric bass.
Conducted by Loris Tjeknavorian

USA
The famous American-Japanese pianist Jon Makamitsu (winner of the Van Clyburn Piano Competition) includes Tjeknavorian’s Dances Fantastiques in his program during his US tour.

Yerevan
Tjeknavorian Records Shahryar Cohanzad’s" The Songs of Peace" with the Armenian Virtuosi Orchestra and Choir.

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2005

Tehran
Tjeknavorian founds the Tjeknavorian Academy of Music in Tehran.

Yerevan
Tjeknavorian Records Shahin Farhad’s 9th Symphony for orchestra, choir and solo tenor.

Tehran-Yerevan
Tjeknavorian composes music for the TV series and feature film versions of “The Messiah” directed by Nader Talebzade.
Recorded by the Armenian Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus. Conducted by
Loris Tjeknavorian.

Tehran
Completes his opera “Siawash” based on a poem by Ferdowsi. Libretto by Loris Tjeknavorian.
Commissioned by Naderi Travel Agency in the Island of Gheshm.

Yerevan
Tjeknavorian conducts a midnight performance of his oratorio “The Life of Christ” on April 24 to mark the 90th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.

Persepolis-Iran
Tjeknavorian conducts a gala concert with The Tehran Symphony Orchestra. It is the first concert at the ancient ruins of Persepolis since the Iranian Revolution in 1979.

Yerevan
To commemorate the 90th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, Alina & Zareh Tjeknavorian produce “Credo”, a film visualizing Loris Tjeknavorian’s “Credo Symphony” using the 1919 silent movie “Ravished Armenia” and archival footage of the genocide. “Credo” was shown repeatedly on all Armenian TV channels.

Vienna- OsterKlang Festival
Tjeknavorian conducts the premiere of his a cappella Oratorio “The Life of Christ”
(Based on medieval Armenian Chants) with Armenian male singers and soloists.

Tehran
Premiere of Tjeknavorian’s opera “Rostam & Sohrab” at the Ferdowsi Marionette Theater.
Directed by Dr. Gharibpour. The show has run daily since May, 2005.

Tjeknavorian conducts memorial concerts for Annet Aharonyan of his oratorio “The Life of Christ” and “The Sunrise Service” for male choir and two male soloists.

Yerevan
Tjeknavorian conducts a festival of 10 concerts with the Armenian Virtuosi, the Nouri Choir, and soloists from Austria, Iran and Armenia in memory of Mozart's death on December 5 and commemorating his 250th birthday celebration on January 27th. Tjeknavorian conducts many of Mozart's compositions including the Coronation Mass and Requiem.

Tjeknavorian records Shahin Farhad’s 7th Symphony with the Armenian Virtuosi Orchestra.

Tehran
Tjeknavorian conducts three concerts with the Tehran Symphony Orchestra and Choir at the International “Fajr” Music Festival. The program includes works by Western and Iranian composers.

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2006 - 2008

Selected Important Events
- Weeklong Music Festival with the Ukraine Radio Symphony Orchestra in Tehran

-Signing three year contract with “ TV Tokyo Music Inc” for performing, publishing and promoting Nostalgia for Piano & Orchestra ands the 16Th love songs for Orchestra

- EMI Classic. Recording of Nostalgia for piano solo and for piano and orchestra by Yuki Kurashima Nordosdeuschen Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Tsunanobu Kawamoto

-US premiere of Othello Ballet with the Sarasota Ballet company. Choreographed by Robert de Warren Sarasota, Florida

- Week long Mahak Music Festival in 2006 and 2007 with the Chamber music from Armenia, soloists Gottlieb Wallisch, Thomas Feodoroff and Wolfgang David from Vienna

- Conducting Garbis Aprikian’s Oratorio Sasoon of David at the Marseille opera, France

- Conducting the Armenin philharmonic Orchestra at the Tehran “Fajr” Music Festival.

- Premiere of the Sympjhonic Suite “ Prophet of peace and Love” With the Tehran Symphony orchestra at the Vahdat Concert Hall

- Jon Nakamatsu, The well known US pianist, performing Dances Fantastic in his US tour including at the Lincoln Center in New York

-Receiving Golden Cultural Medal from the Armenian Ministry of Culture.

-Piano Recital of Tjeknavorian’s Piano music performed by Austian pianist, Gottlieb Wallisch

- Performance of the Rostam and Sohrab opera with the Tehran Marionette company in Tehran, Prague and Dubai.

- Performance of the Rostam and Sohrab opera with the Tehran Marionette company in Tehran , Prague , Dubai and Rome

- Receiving from the Ministry of Culture at the Fajr Festival “The Molavis Golden plate” for the Artistic Merit.

- Performance of Rostam & Sohrab suite by Oakland Symphony orchestra conducted by Maestro Michael Morgan

- Three year compositional contract for producing the Love Song suite and Nostalgia with Japan TV Tokyo Music Inc.

- Presenting the recording of Persepolis suite at the British Museum’s conference of “The First Human rights proclamation by King Cyrus”

- Completing the computer copies of 75 compositions among them 5 Symphonies, 4 operas, Concertos, Piano Music, Chamber music, Choral works. Orchestral suites etc

- Receiving the Austrian Presidential “GOLD MEDAL” for Artistic Merit.

- On December 15th at the British Museum on the occasion of " The Magic of
Persia" exhibition organized an event to commemorate the 60th anniversary
of the United Nations Human Rights Declaration along the 2500 year old
Cyrus the Great Cylinder containing the first declaration of
Human Rights. On this occasion the CD of Tjeknavorian's Persepolis 2500
Suite from the "Son et Lumiere Persepolis" was promoted. During the
ceremony Tjeknavorian was awarded a gold plated replica of the
Cyrus Cylinder.

- On December 20th Tjeknavorian recorded Hafez Nazeri's "The night of Angel"
with the London Symphony orchestra.

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Iran 2000 to present

Selected Important Events
In 2000, Tjeknavorian resigned from the APO in order to devote more time to composing. During this period he also conducted the Vienna Symphony Orchestra, and performed at the San Francisco Opera House, the Contemporary Music Festival and at the Vienna Music Festival in Hong Kong and Bangkok. He conducted the Austrian premiere of his opera Rostam and Sohrab at the Festspielhaus in St. Pölten.

From 2009 to the present Tjeknavorian has continued to devote his time to composing, as well as painting and writing short stories. Among his most recent works are the operas Zahak (libretto based on Ferdowsi’sShahnameh) and Mowlana and Shams-e Tabriz (libretto based on the poetry of Rumi), as well as the chamber opera “The Final Hour of Sadegh Hedayat” (libretto based on “The Blind Owl” and other works by the Iranian poet Sadegh Hedayat). Other works include his second concerto for violin and chamber orchestra, a work for solo piano titled "1915", and two major symphonic suites: King Cyrus, about the ancient Persian king, and Takhti, dedicated to the celebrated Iranian wrestler. Tjeknavorian’s paintings were exhibited at the Gallery Shirin in Tehran, Gallery Maryam Seyhoun in Los Angeles, and twice at the House of the Artists in Tehran. His series of short stories, written in English, will be published in the near future.

Tjeknavorian’s recent performances include benefit concerts in Tehran and Los Angeles for the organization MAHAK on behalf of children with cancer, a series of concerts with the Armenian Chamber Orchestra at the Talar Vahdat Hall in Tehran. 

In 2011 the Iranian BARBAD recording company issued a 20-CD box set of Tjerknavorian’s major works (symphonies, choral works, ballet, chamber music, operas, etc.) plus 2 DVDs of his opera Rostam & Sohrab.

In 2013 performance of his Ararat Suite with the Sacramento Symphony, and the world premiere of his King Cyrus symphonic suite with the San Francisco Philharmonic Orchestra in In 2011 the Iranian BARBAD recording company issued a 20-CD box set of Tjerknavorian’s major works (symphonies, choral works, ballet, chamber music, operas, etc.) plus 2 DVDs of his opera Rostam & Sohrab.

During 2009-2016 Tjeknavorian undertook the copying of all of his scores electronically using the Sibelius format. The scores totaled 20,000 pages and included operas, ballets, orchestral suites, concertos, choral works, chamber music, as well as solo works for strings, piano, percussion, and other instruments.

During this period Tjeknavorian concertized extensively in Iran, where his performances have been wildly popular. He conducted numerous concerts in Tehran's Vahdat Hall and the Concert Hall of the Milad Tower. He also received commissions to compose two hour-long choral-orchestral compositions. The most recent is "Salam" (Peace), based on the poems of Ferdowsi, Sadi, Hafez and Rumi, which will be premiered during the 2016-17 season.

In April 2016 Tjeknavorian exhibited about 70 of his paintings at the gallery of Tehran's Home of The Artists. The following August he conducted two concerts of his orchestral works, one with the Tehran Symphony and the International Youth Orchestra from Rome and the other of his Love Songs with the string section of the Tehran Symphony at the Niayavaran Palace.

The New Barbad company recently issued 2 DVD box sets of 5 DVDs each. These are live performances of the Mozart and Verdi Requiems, Beethoven Symphony 5 and the finale of the 9th, Scheherazade, as well as series of his own compositions (Ararat Suite, Pardis & Parisa Suite, Love Song Suite, etc) with the Armenian Philharmonic Orchestra.