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The Armenian premiere of the Symphony No.13 “Babi Yar” by Dmitri Shostakovich took place within the framework of the 5th Khachaturian International Festival on November 30.

The State Youth Orchestra of Armenia, headed by conductor Sergey Smbatyan, presented the composition jointly with the soloist of the Hamburg State Opera Vladimir Baykov (bass) and Choir of Khachaturian International Festival (choirmaster Radik Melikyan), the orchestra’s press service reported.

Vladimir Baykov noted that previously he had only presented excerpts from this symphony. In Armenia, he performed the whole composition for the first time.

Notably, this was Baykov's second performance in Yerevan. He performed here for the first time 15 years ago, presenting Symphony No.14 by Dmitri Shostakovich with Araks Davtyan.

The Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of the State Youth Orchestra of Armenia Sergey Smbatyan highlighted the content of the symphony. He expressed hope that they succeeded in conveying to the audience all the messages that Shostakovich and Yevtushenko summed up in the ideological content of their compositions.

Yerevan is hosting the 5th Khachaturian International Festival, which 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 European Foundation for Support of Culture.