The 2nd Khachaturian International Youth Competition Concludes in Beijing

On November 11, 2026, the 2nd Khachaturian International Youth Competition concluded at the China National Opera House with a gala concert and awards ceremony. Conductor Sergey Smbatyan, founder, artistic director, and principal conductor of the Armenian State Symphony Orchestra, serves as the artistic director of the competition.

The competition, which focuses on popularizing the compositional heritage of Aram Khachaturian among young performers, featured a wide geographic reach. International preliminary rounds held from July to September were followed by regional rounds across Europe, Asia, Armenia, and several regions of China, culminating in the finals held in Beijing. Performances were organized across five categories: piano, violin, viola, cello, and chamber ensemble, with audiences also able to follow the auditions through live online broadcasts.

Winners were declared in four main professional categories: Zhao Yuyu (viola), Niu Zhenhao (cello), Guo Fenning (violin), and Elena Bataye (piano). In the final stage, the competitors performed alongside the Armenian State Symphony Orchestra conducted by Sergey Smbatyan.

Organized by the Aram Khachaturian Cultural Foundation and JINGSE International Educational Technology Co., the event aims to discover young talent, stimulate creative collaboration, and celebrate Khachaturian's musical legacy. Khachaturian competitions have been organized in China since 2023, with the first youth edition held in 2024. In addition to the contest, the Khachaturian Youth Music Week was held concurrently, presenting masterclasses, educational initiatives, and concerts.

Source: NEWS.am