Role

:

Composer

Country

:

Russia

Birth

:

February 5, 1906 in Simferopol, Crimea

Death

:

June 27, 1976 in Moscow, Russia

Period

:

Modern

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Concerto

 

Zara Alexandrovna Levina was a Russian composer born on March 31, 1906, in the city of Vitebsk, which was then part of the Russian Empire. She was the daughter of a Jewish family, and her father was a lawyer. Levina showed an early interest in music and began playing the piano at the age of five. She received her first music lessons from her mother, who was a pianist. In 1918, Levina's family moved to Moscow, where she continued her music education. She studied piano with Konstantin Igumnov and composition with Nikolai Myaskovsky at the Moscow Conservatory. Levina was a talented student, and her compositions were well-received by her teachers and peers. In 1929, she graduated from the conservatory with honors. After graduation, Levina began working as a composer and pianist. She wrote music for films, theater productions, and radio broadcasts. Levina's music was influenced by the Russian classical tradition, but she also incorporated elements of modernism and avant-garde techniques into her compositions. Levina's early works include piano pieces, songs, and chamber music. In 1933, she wrote her first symphony, which was premiered by the Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra. The symphony was well-received, and Levina became known as a promising young composer. In 1935, Levina married the composer and musicologist Yakov Zak, who became her lifelong collaborator and supporter. The couple had two children, a son and a daughter. During World War II, Levina and her family were evacuated to Tashkent, where she continued to compose and perform. She wrote music for propaganda films and patriotic songs, as well as chamber music and piano pieces. Levina's music during this period reflects the hardships and struggles of the war years, but also shows her resilience and optimism. After the war, Levina returned to Moscow and resumed her career as a composer and pianist. She wrote several large-scale works, including two more symphonies, a piano concerto, and an opera. Levina's music during this period shows a greater sense of experimentation and individuality, as she continued to explore new techniques and styles. Despite her talent and achievements, Levina faced discrimination and censorship because of her gender and Jewish background. Her music was often dismissed as "feminine" or "sentimental," and she was denied opportunities to have her works performed or published. Levina's husband Yakov Zak was also persecuted for his Jewish heritage and political views, and the couple faced constant surveillance and harassment from the Soviet authorities. Despite these challenges, Levina continued to compose and perform until her death in 1976. Her music has since been rediscovered and recognized for its originality and emotional depth. Levina's works are now performed and recorded by musicians around the world, and she is considered one of the most important female composers of the 20th century. Some of Levina's most notable works include her three symphonies, which showcase her mastery of orchestration and her ability to convey complex emotions through music. Her piano concerto is also a highlight of her oeuvre, featuring virtuosic solo passages and lush orchestration. Levina's opera, "The Birch Tree," is a lyrical and poignant work that explores themes of love, loss, and redemption. Levina's chamber music and piano pieces are also highly regarded, with their intricate textures and expressive melodies.

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