Rast (1935)- Sergey Sergeyev // Ռաստ (1935) - Սերգեյ Սերգեև

Sergey Hovakimi Sergeyev (1898-1979)

Sergey Hovakimi Sergeyev was born on October 19, 1898, in Shushi. From an early age, he was captivated by music and taught himself to play the tar. He regarded the renowned tar player Shushetsi Tata as his teacher. By listening to Tata’s performances, he honed his skills and refined his technique.

In 1918, he organized and led a folk instrument ensemble in Baku, which toured Central Asia, Transcaucasia, and other regions. In the early 1920s, he worked as a tar player in the orchestra of the Azerbaijan Opera and Ballet Theater, where he met his future wife, Suria Gajar. After leaving the opera theater, he once again organized a folk instrument ensemble.

In 1939, as an Iranian citizen, he was deported to Iran along with his family. There, he continued his musical career, performing with his folk instrument ensemble in Tehran, Tabriz, Qazvin, Rasht, and Pahlavi. His ensemble showcased Armenian music as well as folk songs from various nations, often performed by Suria Gajar.

In 1946, he immigrated to Yerevan. From 1946 to 1956, he organized and led a folk instrument ensemble at the Armenian Philharmonic.

In 1957, he moved to Baku, where he founded a new folk instrument ensemble at the local philharmonic. His daughter, Seda Sergeyeva, a renowned singer and Honored Artist of the Armenian SSR, was also a member of this ensemble.

Alongside his performing career, Sergey Sergeyev trained young tar players and musicians of other traditional instruments. He composed songs, orchestral suites, fantasies, and dance melodies.

His song “Sayat-Nova” won first prize in a competition dedicated to the 250th anniversary of the great poet’s birth.

The song “To the Great Master” was dedicated to the memory of Avetik Isahakyan. Some of his other notable songs include “Gharabagh” and “The Nightingales of Armenia."

Sergey Sergeyev was awarded the honorary title of Honored Artist in both Armenia and Azerbaijan.

He passed away on November 19, 1979, in Baku.