The orchestra performs over 70 concerts in Armenia and across the world annually. The rich and diverse repertoire of the orchestra covers multiple genres and performance formats, ranging from symphonies to ballet and opera music to symphonic arrangements of popular and cinematic music or jazz interpretations of classical music. Along with recurrent debut performances of great masterpieces from the world heritage of classical music, the orchestra places a considerable importance in exposing contemporary and young composers as well, featuring new works in its mainstream programming throughout concert seasons.
Together with its Founding Artistic Director and Principal Conductor, Sergey Smbatyan, the Armenian State Symphony Orchestra has established four annual classical music festivals, hosting in Armenia a multitude of internationally renowned virtuoso performers and conductors over years, including artists such as Gil Shaham, Mischa Maisky, Steven Isserlis, Maxim Vengerov, Mikhail Pletnev, Gautier Capuçon, Sergey Khachatryan, Andreas Ottensamer, Ning Feng, Jօseph Calleja, Thomas Hampson, Dmitry Yablonsky, Hannu Lintu, John Malkovich and many others. The orchestra treasures years of friendship and cooperation with remarkable contemporary composers such as Arvo Pärt, Tigran Mansuryan, Krzysztof Penderecki, Giya Kancheli, Sir Karl Jenkins and Qigang Chen.
By virtue of its belief in the meaningful dialogue between classical music and modern technology, the Armenian State Symphony Orchestra is profiled as a highly tech-driven and innovative orchestra, with a perpetual pursuit of experimental diversity by leveraging AI and other high-tech solutions in its artistic endeavors.
The orchestra has a growing input in the education of young people in Armenia. Launched in 2018, the DasA program strives to incite curiosity, understanding and liking for classical music among high school students.
The program is designed to bring the youth and high quality musical art closer together and share entertaining knowledge about classical music. The orchestra also targets university students in the framework of “My Symphonic” project, conducting focus group surveys, meeting sessions and providing invitations to concerts. Aside from educational programs, master classes with prominent artists are held frequently for young musicians.
With a committed awareness of social responsibility, the Armenian State Symphony Orchestra ensures the cultural engagement of vulnerable social groups by regularly issuing invitations and making available complimentary attendances to the orchestra’s performances, along with holding charity concerts for fundraising purposes.
