Glazunov A.K., (1865-1936), composer

Categories / Art/Music, Theatre/Personalia
GLAZUNOV Alexander Konstantinovich (1865 - 1936, St. Petersburg), composer, conductor, pedagogue, public figure, People's Artist of the Republic (1922). Comes from the Glazunov family. From 1879, he studied composition and music theory under N.A. Rimsky-Korsakov. M.A. Balakirev's concert performance of his Symphony No. 1 at the Free Musical School in 1882 won Glazunov's recognition as one of the leading composers of the Petersburg school. An active member of Belyaev's circle, he signed a contract with M.P. Belyaev for publishing a collection of his works, and toured together with him around Europe and Northern Africa. He was awarded the Glinka Prize, founded by Belyaev, every year between 1885 and 1903. In 1888, Glazunov started his career as a conductor in Belyaev's Russian Symphonic Concerts. In 1896-1931, he regularly gave concerts in St. Petersburg, various Russian towns, and throughout Europe and the USA. In 1899, he entered the governing board of the Petersburg Department of Russian Musical Society, became Professor at the Conservatory, and in 1905 granted permanent elected rectorship (which he kept until his departure from Russia in 1928). Glazunov went down in musical history as a symphonic composer and master of instrumental genres. Composed eight symphonies (the ninth was not finished), symphonic suites, poems, fantasies, two piano concerts, seven string quartets, and compositions for piano and organ. He wrote music to three ballets by M.I. Petipa: Raymonda (1898), The Pranks of Love, or The Trial of Damis (1900) and The Seasons (1900). Composed music for V.E. Meyerhold 's production of M.Y. Lermontov's Masquerade at the Alexandrinsky Theatre (1917). He was born and lived in his own house at 8-10 Kazanskaya Street (memorial plaque installed). Died in Paris. In 1972, his remains were moved to Leningrad and buried at Necropolis of Artists . Glazunov's name was given to a string quartette (1919) and to the Small Hall of the Conservatory.

References: Глазунов: Исследования. Материалы. Публикации. Письма: В 2 т. Л., 1959-60.

A. L. Porfiryeva. Balakirev Mily Alexeevich
Belyaev Mitrofan Petrovich
Glazunov Alexander Konstantinovich
Lermontov Mikhail Yurievich
Meyerhold Vsevolod Emilievich
Petipa Marius Ivanovich
Rimsky-Korsakov Nikolay Andreevich
the Glazunovs
Kazanskaya Street/Saint Petersburg, city, house 10
Kazanskaya Street/Saint Petersburg, city, house 8
Глазунов. Исслед. Материалы. Публикации. Письма: В 2 т. Л., 1959-1960 Free Music School
Musical Society, The Russian
Rimsky-Korsakov Conservatory
Alexandrinsky Theatre
Necropolis of Artists