He was chief conductor of the Armenian Philharmonic Orchestra from 1981 until 1985 - the year he made his first appearance in the United Kingdom , together with pianist Evgeny Kissin , and violinists Maxim Vengerov and Vadim Repin , at The Lichfield Festival . He was chief conductor of the Armenian Philharmonic Orchestra from 1981 until 1985 - the year he made his debut in the United Kingdom , along with pianist Evgeny Kissin , and violinists Maxim Vengerov and Vadim Repin , at The Lichfield Festival .