Role

:

Composer  

Country

:

Russia

Birth

:

April 13, 1883 in St. Petersburg, Russia

Death

:

July 8, 1946 in Moscow, Russia

Period

:

Modern

Genre

:

Choral

 

 

Vocal

 

Alexander Vasilyevich Alexandrov was a prominent Russian composer, conductor, and choral director who made significant contributions to the development of classical music in the Soviet Union. He was born on April 13, 1883, in Plakhino, a small village in the Ryazan Governorate of the Russian Empire. His father, Vasily Alexandrov, was a church choir director, and his mother, Maria Alexandrova, was a singer in the choir. Alexander grew up in a musical environment and showed an early interest in music. At the age of nine, Alexander began his musical education at the Moscow Synodal School, where he studied choral singing, music theory, and composition. He continued his studies at the Moscow Conservatory, where he studied under some of the most prominent Russian composers of the time, including Sergei Taneyev, Mikhail Ippolitov-Ivanov, and Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov. Alexandrov graduated from the conservatory in 1913 with a degree in composition. After graduation, Alexandrov worked as a conductor and choral director in various cities across Russia. In 1918, he was appointed the conductor of the Red Army Choir, which was later renamed the Alexandrov Ensemble in his honor. Under his leadership, the ensemble became one of the most famous and respected choral groups in the world, known for its powerful and emotional performances of Russian folk songs, patriotic songs, and classical music. Alexandrov composed numerous works for the Alexandrov Ensemble, including choral arrangements of folk songs, patriotic songs, and classical music. Some of his most famous compositions include "The Sacred War," "Kalinka," "The Red Army is the Strongest," and "The Partisan's Song." These works became iconic symbols of Soviet culture and were widely performed and recorded by the Alexandrov Ensemble and other choral groups around the world. In addition to his work with the Alexandrov Ensemble, Alexandrov was also a prolific composer of classical music. He wrote several operas, ballets, symphonies, and chamber works, many of which were inspired by Russian folklore and history. Some of his most notable works include the opera "The Decembrists," the ballet "The Red Poppy," and the symphony "The Year 1917." Throughout his career, Alexandrov received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to music. He was awarded the title of People's Artist of the USSR in 1937 and was awarded the Stalin Prize four times for his compositions. He was also a member of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR and served as the chairman of the Union of Soviet Composers from 1946 until his death. Despite his success and recognition, Alexandrov faced several challenges and controversies throughout his career. He was criticized by some for his close association with the Soviet government and for his compositions that glorified Soviet ideology. He was also accused of plagiarism for his use of folk melodies in his compositions without proper attribution. Alexandrov died on July 8, 1946, in a plane crash while on a tour with the Alexandrov Ensemble. His death was a great loss to the world of music, and his legacy continues to inspire and influence musicians and audiences around the world. His compositions and arrangements remain popular and are still performed by choral groups and orchestras today.

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