Role

:

Composer

Country

:

Russia

Birth

:

November 28, 1856 in Moscow, Russia

Death

:

December 17, 1926 in Moscow, Russia

Period

:

Romantic

Genre

:

Choral

 

 

Vocal

 

Alexandr Dmitriyevich Kastalsky was a prominent Russian composer, conductor, and musicologist of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He was born on November 17, 1856, in Moscow, Russia, into a family of musicians. His father, Dmitry Kastalsky, was a well-known singer and conductor, and his mother, Yelizaveta Kastalskaya, was a pianist and composer. Kastalsky showed an early interest in music and began his musical education at the Moscow Conservatory at the age of 12. He studied composition with Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov, harmony with Sergei Taneyev, and conducting with Vasily Safonov. He graduated from the conservatory in 1879 with a degree in composition. After graduation, Kastalsky worked as a conductor and music teacher in Moscow. He was appointed the conductor of the Synodal Choir in 1887, a position he held for over 30 years. The Synodal Choir was the official choir of the Russian Orthodox Church, and Kastalsky's work with the choir helped to establish him as one of the leading composers of sacred music in Russia. Kastalsky's music was deeply influenced by the Russian Orthodox Church and its liturgical traditions. He was particularly interested in the use of chant in his compositions and was known for his skillful blending of traditional chant melodies with modern harmonies and textures. His music was also influenced by the folk music of Russia, and he often incorporated folk melodies and rhythms into his compositions. Kastalsky's most famous work is his Requiem for Fallen Brothers, which he composed in 1915 to commemorate the Russian soldiers who died in World War I. The Requiem is a powerful and emotional work that combines traditional Orthodox chant with modern harmonies and orchestration. It was performed for the first time in 1917 and was an immediate success, earning Kastalsky widespread acclaim. In addition to his sacred music, Kastalsky also composed a number of secular works, including operas, ballets, and orchestral pieces. His opera The Tsar's Bride, based on a play by Alexander Pushkin, was particularly successful and remains a popular work in the Russian opera repertoire. Kastalsky was also a respected musicologist and wrote extensively on the history and theory of music. He was a professor of musicology at the Moscow Conservatory from 1919 until his death in 1926. His contributions to musicology include his research on the history of Russian music and his work on the theory of harmony. Throughout his career, Kastalsky was recognized as one of the leading composers and musicians of his time. He was awarded the Order of St. Vladimir and the Order of St. Anna for his contributions to Russian music, and his music continues to be performed and celebrated today.

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