Ninety years ago, with the score of his First Symphony, Aram Khachaturian achieved not only a brilliant graduation piece but also a major concert hall success. Although it was not his first orchestral work – the Dance Suite was composed during his studies with Nikolai Myaskovsky – it demonstrated to the Soviet world that he was not just a fantastic miniaturist. The dimensions of the symphony and his handling of Caucasian folklore, unique colours, and irresistible rhythms of the music fulfilled a promise that was quickly realised. Under Frank Beermann's direction, the Robert-Schumann-Philharmonie Chemnitz concludes their symphonic cycle, complementing the three concert CDs by the Staatsphilharmonie Rheinland-Pfalz to form an impressive portrait of an extraordinary figure.