Our Foundation & Early Years
Founded on Excellence: Our Legacy Since 1962
The National Chamber Orchestra of Armenia was founded in 1962 by prominent violinist Zareh Sahakiants, whose brilliant individuality and exceptional reputation enabled him to unite a group of dedicated musicians. In a remarkably short period, the orchestra gained an outstanding reputation both in Armenia and far beyond its borders.
Zareh Sahakiants established rich performing and creative traditions that became the foundation of our artistic identity. His vision for combining technical excellence with deep musical expression created a unique orchestral culture that distinguished NCOA from its inception.
The Birth of Modern NCOA
A Historic Union: Formation of Today's NCOA
In 1997, a pivotal moment in Armenian musical history occurred when our orchestra united with the Yerevan Chamber Orchestra, which had been founded in 1979 under the leadership of conductor Zaven Vardanyan. This merger created the National Chamber Orchestra of Armenia (NCOA) as we know it today, combining the strengths and traditions of both ensembles.
Current Leadership & Vision
Vag Papian — Artistic Director and Principal Conductor
Vag Papian was born in 1956 in Yerevan into a family of artists. His father, People’s Artist of Armenia Anatoli Papyan, and his mother, Honored Artist of Armenia Amalya Bayburtyan, had a profound influence on his artistic development, surrounding him with an atmosphere of art and culture from an early age.
After receiving a solid musical education, he graduated from the P. I. Tchaikovsky Secondary Specialized Music School in Yerevan. He later continued his studies at the P. I. Tchaikovsky Moscow State Conservatory in the piano department, where he refined his performance skills and developed as a professional pianist. Seeking to deepen his knowledge of conducting, he also graduated from the Saint Petersburg (then Leningrad) State Conservatory, earning a degree in conducting.
In 1984, he was invited to join the Armenian State Symphony Orchestra (now the Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra) as a second conductor. Soon after, his conducting talent fully emerged, and from 1987 to 1989 he served as the orchestra’s principal conductor, leading a number of successful concert programs and contributing to the development of its artistic activity.
In 1990, he moved to Israel, where he continued his active musical career. He collaborated with leading orchestras in the country, performing both as a conductor and pianist. Among his collaborators are the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra, the Haifa Symphony Orchestra, and other distinguished ensembles.
Since 1991, he has toured extensively around the world, appearing both as a pianist and conductor. His concert activity spans numerous stages across Europe, the Americas, and other regions, where he has conducted various symphony orchestras and presented diverse classical programs.
The musician has also participated in several prestigious international festivals, including the Caramoor Festival in the United States, the George Enescu Festival in Romania, the Saint-Denis Festival in France, the Ohrid Festival in Macedonia, and others. His performances at these festivals have received high acclaim, highlighting his mastery and deep musical insight.
Since 2006, he has been one of the leaders of the Ashdod Symphony Orchestra in Israel, actively contributing to the city’s musical life and presenting various concert programs.
From 2008 to 2013, he served as the chief conductor of the State Symphony Orchestra of Kazakhstan. During his tenure, the orchestra significantly expanded its repertoire and performed in a number of important concerts both domestically and internationally.
In March 2026, Maestro Vag Papian assumed the role of Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of the National Chamber Orchestra of Armenia, opening a new chapter in the orchestra’s artistic journey.
For decades, he has combined his careers as a conductor and pianist, performing on international stages and continuing to contribute to the promotion and development of classical music. His artistic activity encompasses a rich concert life, collaborations with orchestras from various countries, and participation in prestigious cultural events.
Mission & Artistic Philosophy
Cultural Preservation
Safeguarding Armenian liturgical, folk, and classical repertoire, and keeping it alive on the concert stage for new audiences.
Chamber Mastery
A dedicated ensemble of musicians performing with the precision, dynamic control, and expressive depth chamber repertoire demands.
Global Reach
Carrying Armenian musical culture to audiences abroad through international touring and collaboration.