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Naz Par (c. 1950) - George Shah-Baronian // Նազ պար (tar) - Ժորժ Շահ-Պարոնյան

George Shah-Baronian (born Georges Chahparoniants) was a distinguished Armenian tarist and composer, born in Tabriz, Iran, in 1897. He spent his youth in Tiflis (now Tbilisi, Georgia), where he received his formal musical education, immersing himself in the rich traditions of Armenian and Caucasian music. In 1924, he married Genia (also known as Nina), an Armenian from Turkey, in Sofia, Bulgaria. Shortly after, the couple moved to Paris, where they continued their studies and performed while touring internationally. It is believed that during this period, George pursued further musical training at the Paris Conservatory. By 1926, George and Genia traveled to the United States, where he recorded for the independent Armenian labels Sohag and Pharos in New York City in 1927. However, within a few years, they returned to Paris, where by 1929, George was performing on stage and radio, solidifying his reputation as a master tarist. The couple remained in Europe for several years before immigrating permanently to the United States in 1937, initially settling in New York City before moving to Los Angeles. There, George became an integral part of the local Armenian music scene, performing regularly with his quintet and contributing to the cultural life of the diaspora. In the early 1950s, he released a series of recordings featuring himself on tar and Genia on piano. These recordings showcased his deep mastery of traditional Armenian folk music while incorporating elements of Western musical styles. He was also highly skilled in mugham improvisational forms, and a collection of his solo performances—including Chahargah, Kurd Shahnaz, Bayati, and Bayati Shiraz—is preserved at the Armenian Museum of America. Beyond live performance, George also worked as a film composer, contributing to Hollywood productions such as Sirocco (1951), starring Humphrey Bogart, and Magic Carpet (1951), starring Lucille Ball. His exposure to the Hollywood music industry likely influenced his compositional approach, blending traditional Armenian melodies with contemporary cinematic scoring techniques. A devoted figure in the Armenian-American community, George and Genia frequently performed at benefit concerts, particularly to support displaced Armenians in post-war Europe. George Shah-Baronian passed away in 1956, leaving behind a rich musical legacy—one that bridged Armenian folk traditions and modern innovation, preserving a heritage while expanding its reach to new audiences.