The Komitas National Quartet marked its 100th Anniversary with a concert at the AGBU Performing Arts Center on March 7, 2025.

Organized jointly by the Hi-Am Foundation and the Consulate General of the Republic of Armenia in Los Angeles, the event featured violinists Eduard Tadevosyan, Syuzi Yeritsyan, Alexander Kosemyan and cellist Angela Sargsyan. Representing the Diocesan Primate at the concert was the Rev. Fr. Khajag Shahbazyan and presented Archbishop Derderian's Message of Blessing and Commendation to the performers.

The concert also featured special guest peformers Svetlana Navasardyan (piano), Khachik Andreasyan (piano) and soprano Armine Vardanyan. The Quartet received special recogntion from His Excellency Karen Israeylyan, Consul General of the Republic of Armenia in Los Angeles.

The Komitas Quartet: History

The Komitas Quartet was established in 1924 by Avet Gabrielyan, Levon Ohanjanyan, Michael Teryan and Sargis Aslamazyan-students of Moscow Conservatoire.

The first performance was held on March 1, 1925. From 1925-1931, the Quartet performed in different cities of the USSR as well as in Armenia. In 1932, when Komitas was still alive, the Government of Armenia named the Quartet after the great Armenian musician.

In 1936, the Quartet won the contest of the USSR Composers' Union, while in 1938, it shared the first prize in All-Soviet contest of string quartets. In 1938, the Quartet musicians were named Honored Artists/Musicians of Armenia and National Artists in 1945. World famous musicians S. Richter, M. Rostropovich, E. Gilels and others have performed with the Quartet. The Komitas Quartet was the first among ensembles of the Country to have tours abroad in post World War II era, in 1953. 

The Quartet's musical mastery has captivated audiences in the United States, Canada, Japan, Austria, England, Norway, Germany, Czechoslovakia and other countries.

For 52 consecutive years, the renowned musician Avet Gabrielyan was the first violinist and the artistic director of the quartet.

In 1970, Avet Gabrielyan invited Eduard Tadevosyan - a student of Moscow Conservatoire and an award winner of international concerts, to join the Quartet. Eduard Tadevosyan played for the Maestro for six years as a second violinist, while in 1976, Gabrielyan entrusted his Guarneri violin and his position to Eduard Tadevosyan, who to date remains the Quartet's first violinist and artistic director. The current members of the quartet are third and fourth generation of musicians.