Şahan Arzruni, pianist and champion of Armenian music, dies at 83
The Istanbul-born pianist, who studied at Juilliard and made New York his home, devoted much of his career to Armenian music.
The pianist and musicologist Şahan Arzruni died on October 21, 2026, at his home in New York City. He was 83.
Arzruni was born in Istanbul on June 8, 1943, and showed exceptional musical talent as a young child, encouraged by an aunt who was a composer. In 1964 he moved to New York to study at the Juilliard School, and the city remained his home.
Over a long career he performed in many countries, including at the White House, and he also performed with the pianist Victor Borge. He was a Steinway Artist.
Much of his work was devoted to Armenian music. He researched, recorded and promoted the works of Armenian composers for international audiences, and he visited Armenia regularly to perform.
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