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Alexander Maykapar was a Russian composer and pianist who lived from 1867 to 1924. He was born in Moscow to a family of musicians, and his father was a well-known pianist and composer. Maykapar began his musical education at a young age, studying piano with his father and composition with Nikolai Hubert. Maykapar's talent as a pianist was evident from an early age, and he made his public debut at the age of nine. He continued to perform throughout his childhood and adolescence, and in 1884 he entered the Moscow Conservatory to study piano with Vasily Safonov and composition with Sergei Taneyev. After completing his studies, Maykapar embarked on a successful career as a pianist and composer. He performed extensively throughout Russia and Europe, and his compositions were well-received by audiences and critics alike. He was particularly known for his piano music, which was characterized by its virtuosity and lyricism. Maykapar's most famous works include his Piano Concerto No. 1, which was premiered in 1898, and his Suite in the Old Style, which was composed in 1905. He also wrote a number of smaller piano pieces, including his popular "By the Sea" and "The Clock." In addition to his career as a performer and composer, Maykapar was also a respected music educator. He taught at the Moscow Conservatory from 1900 to 1918, and his students included the pianist and composer Nikolai Medtner. Maykapar's career was not without its challenges, however. He suffered from poor health throughout his life, and in 1918 he was forced to flee Russia due to the political upheaval of the Russian Revolution. He settled in Paris, where he continued to compose and perform until his death in 1924. Despite the difficulties he faced, Maykapar's contributions to classical music were significant. His piano music in particular remains popular with pianists and audiences today, and his legacy as a composer and performer continues to be celebrated around the world.

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