Role

:

Composer Conductor

Country

:

Russia

Birth

:

August 10, 1865 in St. Petersburg, Russia

Death

:

March 21, 1936 in Neuilly-sur-Seine, France

Period

:

Romantic

 

 

Contemporary

Genre

:

Ballet

 

 

Chamber

 

 

Concerto

 

 

Keyboard

 

 

Orchestral

 

Alexander Glazunov was a prominent Russian composer of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He was born on August 10, 1865, in St. Petersburg, Russia, to a wealthy family. His father was a publisher and his mother was a pianist. Glazunov showed an early interest in music and began taking piano lessons at the age of nine. In 1879, Glazunov entered the St. Petersburg Conservatory, where he studied composition with Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov. Rimsky-Korsakov was impressed with Glazunov's talent and took him under his wing, becoming his mentor and friend. Glazunov quickly became one of Rimsky-Korsakov's most promising students, and his compositions began to gain recognition. Glazunov's first major work, the Symphony No. 1 in E major, was completed in 1882, when he was just 17 years old. The symphony was well-received and helped establish Glazunov as a rising star in the Russian music scene. He went on to compose a number of other orchestral works, including the Symphony No. 2 in F-sharp minor, the Symphony No. 3 in D major, and the Symphony No. 4 in E-flat major. In addition to his orchestral works, Glazunov also composed a number of chamber music pieces, including string quartets, piano quintets, and a piano trio. He was particularly skilled at writing for the string quartet, and his works in this genre are considered some of his finest. Glazunov's music was heavily influenced by the Russian nationalist movement, which sought to promote Russian culture and traditions. His works often incorporated folk melodies and other elements of Russian music, and he was known for his lush, romantic style. One of Glazunov's most famous works is the ballet Raymonda, which was first performed in 1898. The ballet tells the story of a young noblewoman who is kidnapped by a Saracen knight, but is eventually rescued by her fiancé. The music is full of lush melodies and intricate rhythms, and it has become a staple of the ballet repertoire. Glazunov also composed a number of other ballets, including The Seasons, which was first performed in 1900, and The Lady's Slippers, which was first performed in 1919. His ballets were known for their beautiful melodies and intricate orchestration, and they helped establish him as one of the leading composers of his time. In addition to his work as a composer, Glazunov was also a respected conductor. He served as the principal conductor of the Russian Symphony Orchestra from 1900 to 1917, and he also conducted the premieres of several of his own works. Glazunov's career was interrupted by the Russian Revolution of 1917, which led to the collapse of the Tsarist regime and the establishment of the Soviet Union. Glazunov, who was a staunch supporter of the old regime, found himself out of favor with the new government. He was eventually forced to flee Russia and spent the rest of his life in exile. Glazunov continued to compose during his exile, but his output slowed considerably. He spent much of his time conducting and teaching, and he became a respected figure in the international music community. He died on March 21, 1936, in Neuilly-sur-Seine, France, at the age of 70. Today, Glazunov is remembered as one of the leading composers of the late Romantic era. His music is known for its lush melodies, intricate harmonies, and colorful orchestration, and it continues to be performed and recorded by orchestras around the world.

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