Varujan Kojian

**Varujan Kojian** was an Armenian-American conductor known for his dynamic interpretations and dedication to showcasing both classic and contemporary works. Born in Beirut, Lebanon, in 1935, he moved to the U.S. and studied at the Juilliard School, later carving out a career that blended fiery passion with technical precision. Kojian served as music director of the Utah Symphony from 1980 until his untimely passing in 1983, where he earned praise for championing lesser-known composers and injecting fresh energy into the orchestra’s programming.

His recordings reflect his eclectic tastes, spanning Romantic showstoppers like Liszt’s *Dante Symphony* and Berlioz’s *Symphonie fantastique* to niche 20th-century gems, including works by Richard Yardumian and Lars-Erik Larsson. Kojian also embraced his Armenian heritage, notably interpreting pieces like Yardumian’s *Armenian Suite*. Whether leading Wagner’s rousing marches or unearthing Nordic composers like Gunnar de Frumerie, his legacy lives on as a conductor who bridged tradition and innovation with warmth and flair.

Genres

Classical

Jazz

Contemporary Classical

Chamber Music

Opera

Romantic Music

Symphonic Music

Armenian Folk

Related Artists

Leonard Slatkin

Herbert Blomstedt

Charles Dutoit

Lorin Maazel

Neeme Järvi

Gerard Schwarz

Michael Tilson Thomas

Esa-Pekka Salonen

Max Richter

Yo-Yo Ma

André Previn

Zubin Mehta

Latest Release

Liszt: Dante Symphony

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Varujan Kojian

Ep - 4 Tracks - Released April 30, 2018