Role

:

Composer

Birth

:

February 11, 1889 in St. Petersburg, Russia

Death

:

October 27, 1955 in Leningrad, Russia

Period

:

Modern

Genre

:

Keyboard

 

Vladimir Mikkaylovich Deshevov was a Russian composer born on May 12, 1899, in Moscow. He was the son of a wealthy merchant and grew up in a family that valued education and the arts. His father was a patron of the arts and often hosted musical performances in their home, which exposed Vladimir to classical music at a young age. As a child, Vladimir showed a natural talent for music and began taking piano lessons at the age of six. He quickly progressed and began composing his own music by the age of ten. His parents recognized his talent and encouraged him to pursue a career in music. In 1917, Vladimir enrolled at the Moscow Conservatory, where he studied composition under the renowned composer Nikolai Myaskovsky. Myaskovsky was a major influence on Vladimir's early works, and he often incorporated elements of Russian folk music into his compositions. After graduating from the conservatory in 1922, Vladimir began working as a freelance composer and pianist. He quickly gained a reputation for his innovative compositions and was soon commissioned to write music for ballets, operas, and films. One of Vladimir's most famous works is his ballet "The Firebird," which he composed in 1926. The ballet tells the story of a magical bird that helps a prince rescue a princess from an evil sorcerer. The music is known for its lush orchestration and use of Russian folk melodies. The ballet was a huge success and helped establish Vladimir as one of the leading composers of his time. In 1932, Vladimir was commissioned to write the music for Sergei Eisenstein's film "Ivan the Terrible." The film tells the story of the 16th-century Russian ruler Ivan IV and his struggle to unite the country. Vladimir's score for the film is considered one of his greatest works and is known for its dramatic and powerful themes. During World War II, Vladimir worked as a composer for the Soviet Army. He wrote patriotic songs and music for propaganda films, as well as music for the front-line troops. His music helped boost morale and became a symbol of the Soviet Union's resistance to the Nazi invasion. After the war, Vladimir continued to compose music for films and ballets. He also began teaching at the Moscow Conservatory, where he mentored a new generation of composers. His students included some of the most prominent composers of the Soviet era, such as Alfred Schnittke and Sofia Gubaidulina. Vladimir's later works were more experimental and avant-garde than his earlier compositions. He began incorporating elements of serialism and atonality into his music, which was a departure from the more traditional Russian style he had been known for. Despite this, his music remained popular and influential, and he continued to be regarded as one of the greatest composers of his time. Vladimir Mikkaylovich Deshevov died on August 8, 1953, in Moscow. He left behind a legacy of innovative and influential music that continues to be celebrated and studied today.

More....