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“It is amazing that my symphony has been presented in Armenia by this amazing young people,” American-Armenian rock musician, composer Serj Tankian said following the Armenian premiere of his Orca Symphony No. 1 on Thursday, as part of the 5th Khachaturian International Festival.

“Frankly speaking, I am amazed, impressed and excited. I want to thank the State Youth Orchestra and Sergey Smbatyan. You did fantastic job. This is awesome. Thank you. Today I was thinking that our treasures are not under the ground. They are here, on this stage. We have such brilliant musicians. We must always encourage them,” the world famous rock singer said, according to the SYOA press service.  

The Artistic Director and the Principal Conductor of the State Youth Orchestra of Armenia Sergey Smbatyan noted that it is an achievement that a world famous rock musician considers symphony genre important and composes symphony.

“Serj Tankian is a composer whose music should be presented often, and many people should communicate with his philosophy. And we are glad to present Tankian's art and ideology to people,” Sergey Smbatyan added.

The 5th Khachaturian International Festival is held under the high patronage of the President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan. It is implemented thanks to the joint efforts of the State Youth Orchestra of Armenia (General Partner of the Orchestra – VivaCell-MTS), with the support of the Ministry of Culture, the “Khachaturian” Foundation and the European Foundation for Support of Culture.