(b. 28 December 1984, Yerevan).

Armenian composer of mostly chamber works that have been performed in Asia and Europe.

Mr. Akshelyan studied composition with Vardan Ajemyan at the Komitas State Conservatory in Yerevan from 2002–07.

Among his honours are Third Prize in the competition Aram Khachaturian in Yerevan (2003, for ecstasy), co-Second Prize in the competition Benjamin Britten in Yerevan (2003, for ellipse), co-First Prize in the competition for vocal music Ghazaros Saryan in Yerevan (2004, for tsover – seas), and an honourable mention in the competition for young composers pre-art in Zürich (2005). He also earned an award in the competition for choral music of the Komitas State Conservatory and the Armenian Chamber Choir (2006, for Manushakaguyn – The Colour Violet), First Prize in the competition Sayat-Nova in Paris (2006, for Pray), First Prize in the competition for music for piano Georgi Sarajev in Yerevan (2006, for Game), and First Prize in the competition for young composers pre-art (2007, for Kyrie Eleison). His music has been performed in Armenia, France, the Netherlands, and Switzerland.

COMPLETE LIST OF WORKS

ORCHESTRAL:

Music for orchestra, small orchestra (28 players), 2005

Music for 22 Strings, 22 strings, 2005–06

CHAMBER MUSIC:

ecstasy, violin, cello, piano, marimba, 2002

edelweiss, flute, clarinet, harp, double bass, piano, 2002

ellipse, clarinet, viola, piano, 2003

string quartet, 2004

music for quartet, flute, oboe, piano, accordion, 2005

Like a Dream, violin, piano, 2005

Pray, shvi (whistle flute from Armenia), oboe, bassoon, piano, dhol (drum from Armenia), string quartet, 2006

Kyrie Eleison (in memory of György Ligeti), flute (+ piccolo), English horn, double bass, accordion, 2007

Graffiti, flute, clarinet, violin, cello, piano, 2007

CHORAL:

Manushakaguyn (text by Yeghishe Charents), mixed chorus, 2006

VOCAL:

tsover (text by Daniel Varujan), soprano, piano, 2004

Omorfiá – Beauty (vocalise), soprano, orchestra, 2007

PIANO:

waves, 2004

Game, 2006