He was born in Tbilisi, Georgian SSR to Armenian parents, but lived and worked in Russia. His father, Levon Tariverdiev was from Baku but a native of Nagorno-Karabakh. His mother, Satenik, was Georgian Armenian. He studied at the Komitas State Conservatory of Yerevan for two years and then graduated from the Moscow Gnessin Institute in the class of Aram Khachaturian in 1957.
Tariverdiev is an author of over 100 romances and 4 operas, including the comic opera Graf Cagliostro and monoopera "The Waiting". But he is best known for his music in many popular Soviet movies (more than 130 films, included "Seventeen Moments of Spring" and "The Irony of Fate"—see List of film music by Mikael Tariverdiev).
Mikael Tariverdiev was a recipient of many awards, including the USSR State Prize (1977) and the Prize of the American Music Academy (1975). He was awarded a title People's Artist of Russia in 1986. He won three Nika Awards for Best Composer in the 1990s.
The Best Music prize at the largest Russian National Film Festival Kinotaur is named after Tariverdiev. After Tariverdiev's death a group of admirers of his music organized the Mikael Tariverdiev Charity Fund and Tariverdiev International Organ Competition.
In November 2015, the London publishing company Antique Beat and UK label Earth Recordings released 'Film Music' a three album set of music by Tariverdiev - the first major release of his work in the West. The release was curated by Vera Tariverdieva, the composer's widow, and Stephen Coates of the UK band The Real Tuesday Weld and came about after Coates heard the composer's music in Moscow in 2011.
The following works of Tariverdiev have been recorded:
Night Pastimes (film music)Quo vadis? (Organ Symphony Chernobyl, 1st Organ Concerto Cassandra, Two Chorale Preludes)Moods (6 preludes from the cycle 10 chorale preludes imitating to the old masters, 3rd Organ concerto, 10 preludes from the cycle Moods (organ transcription by Alexey Parchine)Remembering Venice (film music)Seventeen Moments of Spring (film music)I Am The Tree (monologues on Posenyan, Voznesensky, Svetlov, Ashkenazy poetry singing by author)Instrumentalnye kinokhity (Film Music Hits)Composer's interpretation of Jewish songsPrescience of love (20th Century Madrigals)Graf Cagliostro (opera comique)Mikael Tariverdiev's Avant-Guard (vocal cycles on Japan medieval poetry, Bella Akhmadulina, Leonid Martynov, Semen Kirsanov, Mikhail Malishevsky)Nostalgy - Japan duo Hide-Hide performing Mikael Tariverdiev's music on classical Japan instruments - semisen and siakuhkati with orchestra.VOX HUMANA. Vocal cycles to the verses by L/Martinov, B. Akhmadulina, Medieval Japanese poets “Watercolors”, E. Vinokurov, M. Tzvetaeva, “Waiting” to the poem of R/Rojdestvenski. Performers: Zara Dolukhanova (soprano), Nina Lebedeva (soprano), Maria Lemesheva (soprano), Nina Svetlanova (piano), Mikael Tariverdiev (piano), Orchestra of Boris Pokrovsky Chamber Music Theater (conductor – Vladimir Agronsky).Symphonic works
1956 Concerto for voice with orchestraThe orchestra: 3,2,3(B.I-bass-cl); 4,3,3,1; kettledrums, triangle, side drum, cymb., bass drum, tam-tam, piano, harp, voice, strings.1982 Concerto No. 1 for violin with orchestra in three movementsThe first version for full symphonic orchestra:The orchestra: 2,2,2,(B); 0; 2(C), 2(C),2,0; kettledrums, cymb., triangle, side drum, tam-tam, tambourine, vibraphone, (xylophone), harpsichord, harp, violin-solo, strings/
The second version - for chamber orchestra:The orchestra: 1,0,0,0; 0,0,0,0; kettledrums, vibraphone, (xylophone), harpsichord, violin-solo, strings.
1992 Concerto No. 2 for violin-solo with orchestra (in one part)The orchestra: 1,1,1,0; triangle, strings (10-12; 8-10; 6-8; 4-6; 2).1993 Concerto in Romantic Style (Концерт в романтическом стиле) for viola and string orchestra (in one movement), Op. 102The orchestra: viola-solo, strings: (8; 6; 6; 6; 2).The works for organ
1985 Concerto No. 1 for organ “Cassandra” in four parts1988 Symphony for reciter “Chernobyl” in two parts: 1. “Zone”, 2. “Qvo vadis”1988 Concerto No. 2 for organ. Polyphonic notebook in four parts.1989 Concerto No. 3 for organ in four parts: 1.“Reflections”, 2.“Moving”, 3.”Choral”, 4.”Walking in C-dur”.1995 Ten chorals for organ (“Imitation of Old Masters”). Dedicated to the Spanish Infanta HelenChamber-instrumental works
1953 Nine little novels for piano1953 “Fleetingnesses” for piano1953 Sonata for French horn and piano1954 Trio No. 1 for piano, violin and cello1955 Trio No. 2 for piano, violin and cello1986 “Moods” – 24 pieces for pianoChamber-vocal works
1955 Three romances to the verses by A. Isaakjan1. "A Plucked Rose has no Way Home"2. "Grave"3. "I Always Remember..."1956 Three sonnets by Shakespeare1. "Mossy Marble of Stone Graves"2. "Oh, How Shall I Praise You"3. "Jaded by Toils"1956 Three songs to the verses by V. Orlov1. Familiar song2. Golden Twilight3. A song over telephone1957 "Water-colours" – vocal cycle to the verses by the Medieval Japan poets1. Struck the road2. The way to the capital3. Before the execution4. In the morning mist5. Dream1958 Vocal cycle to the verses by V. Mayakovsky1. Could you..?2. Something about Petersburg3. Tricks of cloud4. Listen!5. Instead of letter1959 Three songs to the verses by S. Davydova1. A song about pigeons2. A road song3. A song about spring1960 "Garden Ring". Verses by S. Grebennikov and H. Dobronravov1960 "Your Eyes Look Like New Cars Headlights". Verses by S. Kirsanov1960 Three romances to the verses by S. Kirsanov1. Your pictures2. Round a white clothed table3. Come!1961 It so happens. Verses by B. Gaikovich1962 Vocal cycle to the verses by L. Martynov1. Night was falling2. Water3. Leaves1963 Two songs to the verses by N. Dobronravov1. Don't be sad2. In the evenings1963 Vocal cycle to the verses by Bella Akhmadulina1. An old romance2. I thought you were a doctor for me3. Fifteen boys1964 Vocal cycle to the verses by E. Vinokurova1. I was seizing sentiments2. Windows3. Your face is fading from my memory1964 "Skirls" – vocal cycle to the verses by M. Malishevsky1. Sparrow – experimenter2. Monkey and mirror3. Self-respect4. Critics and bubbles5. Conversation6. In a Rook like way7. Nightingale and art counsel1965 "Music". Verses by V. Orlov1966 "You are going away like a train". Verses by E. Evtushenko1967 Seven song-recitatives to the verses by G. Pozhenjan1. I am such a tree2. Dolphins3. It's birds manner to fly away4. Pine-trees5. I would like...6. I took a decision7. Soon you will be grown up1967 "Farewell to Arms" - vocal cycle to the verses by Hemingway1. Footfall2. Way?3. Along wet earth4. Killed5. Did it ever happen to you?6. How night differs from day?7. Praise to Christmas8. We are spending what is not destined for it9. Love and compassion10. I rushed to you11. We carry love within us12. Ever alive1968 "Little Prince"/ Verses by N. Dobronravov1969 Six vocal novels to the verses by L. Ashkenazi1. Radio2. Women3. Cigarettes4. I told her exactly this5. A coul of steam6. A song about new generation1970 Songs to the verses by A. Voznesensky1. I want silence2. Grove3. Shall I stare at the train?4. Memory ("They Killed Poem")5. I am heading from the carriage platform1971 Two romances to the verses by M. Tsvetaeva1. My darling, what Have I done to you?2. Attempt of jealousy1971 "I am Writing to You". Verses by M. Lermontov1972 Two songs to the verses by R. Rozhdestvensky1. Instants2. A song about remote Motherland1974 Six songs to the verses by Soviet poets1. I like it (M. Tsvetaeva)2. No one will be at home (B. Posternak)3. At the mirror (M. Tsvetaeva)4. That's what happened to me (E. Evtushenko)5. I asked an ash-tree (V. Kirchov)6. Along my street (B. Achmadulina)1974 Vocal cycle to the verses by L. Martynov1. Night was falling2. Water3. Leaves1974 Vocal cycle to the verses by A. Voznesensky1. I want silence2. GroveShall I stare at the train?
1974 Vocal cycle to the verses by M. Tsvetaeva1975 Memory. Verses by D. Samoilov1975 Don`t disappear. Verses by A. Voznesensky1975 Vocal cycle to the verses by S. Kirsanov1. Your eyes2. Your pictures3. At the white clothed table4. Come1976 We are, comrade, with you – cycle of songs to the verses by M. Svetlov1. Red Guards from remote times2. Old Komsomol members song3. I was not a friend of hers4. Moscow Military district5. In the reconnaissance6. Infantry passing the bogs7. We are, comrade, with you8. Grenada1977 "Echo" ("Don`t return to ex-beloved"). Verses by A. Voznesensky1977 A song about circus. Verses by B. Achmadulina1977 Old Komsomol members songs. Verses by M. Svetlov1. Red Guards from remote times2. Old Komsomol members song3. I was not a friend of hers4. Moscow Military district5. In the reconnaissance6. Infantry passing the bogs7. We are, comrade, with you8. Grenada1979 "Remember this World". Vocal cycle to the verses by A. Voznesensky1. Twilight are frequent over the ploughed field2. Nostalgia for the present3. Thanks for not dying yesterday4. Remember this world1980 Eight sonnets by Shakespeare1. I love2. Sonnet about a hen3. I am guilty4. Alas! My verse is not sparkling new5. Sonnet about an apple6. Love is blind and blinds us too7. To prevent two hearts union8. Ardent heard at the dawn...1986 Five songs to the verses by M. Tsvetaeva1. Where has such tenderness come from2. And again the window3. Island girl4. I don`t need you any more5. Should I forget it?Music for theatre performance
1963 “Purpose” (Sovremennic)1966 “Farewell to Arms” (Lenin's Komsomol theatre)1966 “The Hero of our Time” (Theatre on the Taganka)1968 “Farewell” (Mossoviet theatre)1968 “Climbing the Fudzijama” (Sovremennic)1957 “Our Fathers` Youth”1958 “Save the Drowning Man”1959 “Ten Steps to the East”1961 “A Man Following the Sun”1961 “My Junior Brother”1962 “Goodbye! Boys”1962 “Welcome, or no Trespassing”1963 “Huge Ore”1964 “To love”1965 Farewell”1966 “Wake up Mukhin”1966 “The Last Swindler”1967 “Save the Drowning Man”1968 “King-deer”1968 “A Passenger from the Equator”1970 “Fixed-post Spy's Fate”1972 “Seventeen Moments of Spring” (12 series)1974 “Star Minute”1974 “Twist of Fate” or “Refreshing Bath”1975 “Olga Sergeevna” (8 series)1976 “Disappeared Expedition” (2 series)1978 “Out-of-date Comedy”1980 “Adam Merries Eve” (2 series)1989 “Endhouse Mysteries”1990 “Monster”1990 “Homonovus”1991 “And the Wind Returns”1993 “Russian Ragtime”1995 “Summer People” (“Dachniki”)The works for musical theatre
1945 “On the Beach” - ballet in one act. Libretto by Shengelaja.1945 “Interrogation” - ballet in one act. Libretto by G. Gelovani.1965 “Who are you?” (opera for young people). Libretto by M. Churova on the motives of V. Aksenov's novel “Mandarines from Morocco”. Verses by A. Voznesensky, E. Vinokurov, E. Evtushenko, G. Pozhinjan, R. Rozhdestvesky, S. Kirsanov, M. L`vovsky.The orchestra: piano 1, harpsichord (piano 2), ionika, elektroorga celesta, vibraphone, xylophone, elektro guitar 1, elektro guitar 2, batteria, double-basses.
1973 “Poem about happiness” – ballet in two acts. Libretto by V. Zakharov.1981 “Count Kaliostro” – opera-buff. Libretto by N. Kemarsky to the motives of the same name novel by A. Tolstoy. Verses by A. Kemarsky and R. Sef.The orchestra: 1,1,1,1; 2,1,1,0, vibraphone, xylophone, side drum, bass drum, whip, triangle, cymb., harp, harpsichord, strings.
1985 “Gernika” – ballet in two acts to the motives P. Picasso's picture.The orchestra: 1,1,1,1; 1,1,1,1; bells, xylophone, vibraphone, triangle, tambourine, tam-tam, bass drum, cymb., harp, piano, strings.
1986 “Waiting” – mono-opera.(There are two versions of the opera: for lyric soprano and for mezzo-soprano). The orchestra: 1,1,0,1; 0,0,0,0; vibraphone, (xylophone), bells, triangle, tam-tam, kettle drums, harp, voice, strings.
1986 “Girl and Death” – ballet in two acts to the motives of M. Gorky's tale.The orchestra: 2,2,2,2; 4(F), 3(B),3,1; kettle drums, chime-bells, xylophone, vibraphone, triangle, tambourine, side drum, castanets, cymb., tam-tam, harp, piano, strings.
1992 “Figarienok's Marriage” – opera-grotesque to the motives of Bomarsher's work.«Я просто живу» (I Am Simply Living), autobiography, Moscow, Zebra, 2007
