Role

:

Composer

Country

:

Russia

Birth

:

May 31, 1866 in Krasnoyarsk, Russia

Death

:

August 4, 1920 in Yalta, Russia

Period

:

Modern

Genre

:

Keyboard

 

 

Opera

 

Vladimir Ivanovich Rebikov was a Russian composer, pianist, and conductor who was born on August 31, 1866, in Krasnoyarsk, Siberia. He was the son of a military officer and a mother who was a pianist. Rebikov's mother was his first music teacher, and he showed an early talent for music. He began composing at the age of six and gave his first public performance at the age of nine. Rebikov's family moved to Moscow when he was ten years old, and he continued his music education there. He studied piano with Vasily Safonov and composition with Sergei Taneyev. Rebikov was a gifted student, and he won several awards for his compositions while still a student. After completing his studies, Rebikov began his career as a composer and pianist. He was a prolific composer, and his works include operas, ballets, symphonies, chamber music, and piano pieces. Rebikov was known for his innovative approach to composition, and he was one of the first Russian composers to experiment with atonality and other modernist techniques. One of Rebikov's most famous works is his ballet "The Christmas Tree," which was first performed in 1892. The ballet tells the story of a young girl who dreams of a magical Christmas tree that comes to life and takes her on a journey through a winter wonderland. The ballet was a huge success and was performed many times throughout Russia and Europe. Rebikov was also known for his piano music, and he wrote many pieces for the instrument. His piano music is characterized by its lyrical melodies and innovative harmonies. One of his most famous piano pieces is "Les Demons s'amusent" (The Demons Play), which was written in 1899. The piece is a set of variations on a theme, and it is known for its complex harmonies and virtuosic piano writing. In addition to his work as a composer, Rebikov was also a conductor. He conducted many of his own works, as well as the works of other composers. He was known for his energetic and passionate conducting style, and he was highly respected by his colleagues. Despite his success as a composer and conductor, Rebikov was not without his critics. Some of his contemporaries felt that his music was too experimental and lacked the emotional depth of the great Russian composers of the time. However, Rebikov's music has since been reevaluated, and he is now recognized as an important figure in the development of modernist music in Russia. Rebikov died on August 1, 1920, in Yalta, Crimea. He was only 53 years old at the time of his death, but he had already made a significant contribution to the world of classical music. His innovative approach to composition and his passion for music continue to inspire musicians and audiences today.

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