Ara Torosyan (born May 10, 1972), known in the Armenian music industry by his pen name Murzo, is a music arranger and record producer.[1][2] He is widely recognized to be one of the best music arrangers in his native country of Armenia. Torosyan arranged music and produced records for Andre, Tata Simonyan, Eva Rivas, as well as Armenian folk music stars Inga and Anush Arshakyans. He is a permanent member of the jury panel for the hit music television show Two Stars aired on Armenia 1 сhannel. Torosyan arranged and produced Eva Rivas's song Apricot Stone, which was the Armenian entry for the Eurovision Song Contest 2010 held in Oslo, Norway.
Awards
Ara Torosyan received the following national awards in Armenia:
- 2010 Tashir Music Award in the Best Musical Producer of the Year Category
- 2008 Voske Qnar recognizing his "Contributions to the Popularization of the Armenian National Music"
- 2007 Armenian Music Award (USA) for The Best Instrumental Album category
- 2004 Armenia National Music Award in the Best Arranger of the Year Category
- 2001 Sayat-Nova National Contest
- 2001 Krounk Award in the Best Arranger of the Year Category
- 1993 Asoup in the Best Arranger of the Year Category
Film Credits
Torosyan arranged music and produced soundtracks for the following feature and documentary films:
- Documentary Film From Ararat to Zion, a film directed by Edgar Baghdasaryan, and narrated by Aidan Quinn.
- Feature Film Yerevan Jan, directed by Michael Poghosyan
- Feature Film Unwritten Law, directed by Gor Vadanyan
- Feature Film Yerevan Blues, directed by Michael Poghosyan
- Feature Film Mariam, directed by Edgar Baghdasaryan[3]
- Documentary Film The Land of Holy Rites, directed by Edgar Baghdasaryan
Education
Ara Torosyan is a graduate of the Yerevan Komitas State Conservatory.