In 1915 he graduated from the Faculty of Law of St. Petersburg University, as well as the St. Petersburg Conservatory, where he studied with Anatoly Lyadov (harmony), Alexander Glazunov (composition), Vasily Kalafati (counterpoint), Jāzeps Vītols (analysis of form) and Maximilian Steinberg (orchestration).

In 1914, in partnership with Armenian composer and conductor Spiridon Melikyan, he undertook a scientific expedition to the Shirak Province, one of the musically most fertile regions.

This trip resulted in the compilation of 252 folk melodies that were of great value and have been widely used by Armenian composers and musicologists ever since.

Among his works there are two operas, «Սեդա» (Seda) (1922) and «Արեգակի ցոլքերում» (In the Rays of the Sun) (1949); two ballets, «Հրո հարսը» (Bride of Fire) (1923) and «Անահիտ» (Anahit) (1940); a vocal-symphonic poem, «Վահագնի ծնունդը» (The Birth of Vahagn) (1923); a symphonic poem, «Ախթամար» (Akhtamar) (1923); choral works, romances, songs, and instrumental compositions.

[5] He absorbs the Armenian folk flavor and the Russian classicism, combining them into a unique voice.