Aram Ilyich Khachaturian ( 6 June 1903 in Tiflis - 1 May 1978 in Moscow ) was an Soviet-Armenian composer . Aram Ilyich Khachaturian ( June 6 , 1903 -- May 1 , 1978 ) ( born in Tiflis , Georgia , Russian Empire ) was an ethnic Armenian Soviet born composer whose works were often influenced by folk music of Armenia .