Alexander Spendiarov was born on 1 November (as 20 October) 1871 in Kakhovka, province of Tavrik (modern Ukraine).

In 1896 Alexander Spendiarov went to St. Petersburg to show his compositions to Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov, who greatly admired his music and encouraged him to turn deeper into his people's folklore.

[2] Spendiarov was awarded the Glinka prize three times for his three works: the symphonic picture "Three Palms" in 1908, the legend "Preacher Beda" in 1910 and the melody declamation "We’ll Have a Rest" in 1912.

While he was living in Crimea, Spendiarov met Anton Chekhov, Maxim Gorky and Fyodor Shalyapin.

With its poetic tone, picturesque nature, and bright coloring, it resembles the oriental program works of the Mighty Handful.

In 1916 Spendiarov performed in Tiflis, where he met poet Hovhannes Tumanian and decided to write an opera based on "The Capture of Tmkabert" poem.

[4] On 10 December 1924 Spendiarov, newly arrived in Yerevan from Russia, conducted an 18-member orchestra consisting of conservatory professors and students.

The following year, on 20 March 1925, Professor Arshak Adamian, Rector of the Yerevan Conservatory, led the first concert of the then newly founded symphony orchestra.

In 1926 the Soviet Armenian government awarded Spendiarov the title of People's Artist on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of his achievements in musical and public life.

When Leonid died, Spendiarov married the widow to prevent his brother's son from growing up fatherless.