During the last decade, I have collected a certain number of 33!/3 rpm Long Playing Records (LP) and Audio Compact Discs (CD) of Aram Khachaturian's (b Tbilisi, 1903; d Moscow, 1978) works.
On the occasion of the centennial anniversary of the world famous composer, I found it appropriate to present a selection of his recordings in the form of an album-catalogue. My enthusiasm soon found the necessary encouragement from the Cairo AGBU.
This album represents my own collection and is not an anthology of the composer's complete recordings. The records I possess are not all first releases, as most of Khachaturian's recordings have been reissued several times. Needless to say, the ensemble of Khachaturian recordings comprises many more items than those mentioned in this album. Nevertheless, an important part of his principal recordings are covered here. Technically remastered old recordings have been constantly reissued showing the unceasing demand for recordings of his works.
I have arranged the records chronologically according to the release date of each item. Although, in the case of some of the LPs, there is no mention of a release date on the record or on the cover, it is possible to define an approximate period. Therefore, I have classified them in an approximate consequent order.
In the case of LPs, I have published the photos of both front and back covers. In the case of records missing a cover reflecting its contents, I have opted for the picture of the record itself. In the case of CDs, in addition to the front cover of the inside booklet, I have chosen either the title page of the booklet or the back cover of the CD box itself.
I have added the bibliographical information found on the LP or the CD, without any addition on my part.
This album-catalogue can serve as a primary source for a more complete publication of Khachaturian's works.
Haig Avakian, December 2003
