Alexander Glazunov is a composer, musician, conductor, professor at the St. Petersburg Conservatory. He could reproduce the most complex melodies by ear. Alexander Konstantinovich is an ideal example for Russian composers. At one time he was the mentor of Shostakovich.
Childhood and youth
He belonged to hereditary nobles. Maestro's date of birth is August 10, 1865. Glazunov grew up in the cultural capital of Russia, St. Petersburg, in a family of booksellers.
In early childhood, he discovered a talent for music. At the age of nine, Alexander Konstantinovich learned to play the piano, and a couple of years later he wrote his first piece of music. He had exceptional hearing and a good memory.
At the end of the 70s, he was fortunate enough to meet Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov. An experienced teacher and composer taught the guy the theory of music and composition. Soon he presented to the public his debut symphony and string quartet.
Alexander Konstantinovich was educated in one of the schools in his native city. In 1883, Glazunov held a diploma in his hands, and then listened to lectures, but already at a higher educational institution.
Alexander Glazunov: Creative path
The artist was noticed by Mitrofan Belyaev. With the support of an experienced leader, he will visit several foreign cities for the first time. In one of them he managed to get acquainted with the composer F. Liszt.
After some time, Mitrofan will create the so-called Belyaevsky circle. The association includes the brightest musical figures of Russia. The goal of composers is to approach Western composers.
In 1886, Alexander tried his hand as a conductor. At symphony concerts, he presented the most successful author's works. A year later, Glazunov had a chance to strengthen his authority.
Alexander Borodin died in 1887. He never managed to finish the brilliant opera "Prince Igor". Glazunov and Rimsky-Korsakov were entrusted with producing the unfinished work on the score. Glazunov heard fragments of the opera that were not included, so he could restore and orchestrate the piece of music by ear.
Contribution to the development of the St. Petersburg Conservatory
At the end of the 90s, he took up the post of professor at the St. Petersburg Conservatory. He will spend three decades within the walls of an educational institution, and, in the end, rise to the rank of director.
Alexander managed to significantly improve the conservatory. When he stood at the "helm" of the educational institution, an opera studio and an orchestra appeared in the conservatory. Glazunov tightened the requirements not only for students, but also for teachers.
The composer managed to adapt to the Soviet system. It was rumored that he communicated well with the People's Commissar Anatoly Lunacharsky. With his light hand, in the early 20s he received the title of "People's Artist of the RSFSR".
But still he was not ready to put up with the new foundations. The power was on him. Officials oppressed his creativity. At the end of the 20s, he arrived in Vienna. Alexander Konstantinovich received an invitation to head the judiciary. He judged the music competition, which was dedicated to the anniversary of the death of the great Schubert. Glazunov never returned to his homeland.
Until the last years of his life, he worked. Stunning musical works came out from the maestro's pen. Glazunov has a hundred symphonic works to his credit: sonatas, overtures, cantatas, fugues, romances.
Details of privacy
The composer could not establish a personal life for a long time. Only at the age of 64 did he make his choice. He married Olga Nikolaevna Gavrilova. The woman already had a daughter from her first marriage. Elena (Glazunov's adopted daughter) bore the surname of the maestro. He adopted her and helped build a career on the big stage.
Interesting facts about the maestro
- The maestro's grandfather, Ilya Glazunov, published the work of the great poet "Eugene Onegin" during Pushkin's lifetime. The Glazunov book publishing company began its existence in St. Petersburg at the end of the 18th century.
- He enjoyed great popularity in Europe.
- In 1905 he retired from the conservatory. Failures led to the fact that he fell into depression.
- As the director of the conservatory, he gave poor students increased scholarships. Thus, he wanted to help young people not to ruin their talent in poverty.
- The wife of the maestro after the death of her husband left Paris for the Holy Land. She closed herself in the cell of the monastery in order to somehow merge with her deceased husband.
Death of the composer Alexander Glazunov
The maestro died on March 21, 1936 in the commune of Neuilly-sur-Seine. Heart failure caused the death of the Russian composer. In the early 70s of the last century, the ashes of Alexander were transported to the capital of Russia and buried at the Tikhvin cemetery.
