Alexander Glazunov

Alexander Konstantinovich Glazunov was a prominent Russian composer and conductor who lived from 1865 to 1936. He is considered one of the most important figures in late 19th century Russian music, bridging the gap between the nationalist composers of the “Mighty Handful” and the more cosmopolitan style that emerged in the early 20th century. He was born in St. Petersburg into a wealthy family (his father was a publisher). He was a bit of a musical prodigy, starting piano lessons when 9 and composing from 11 onwards. When aged around 14, his compositions were brought to the attention of Rimsky-Korsakov who was impressed enough to take him on as a pupil -though, before Glazunov had turned 17, Rimsky-Korsakov thought him more a colleague than a student, so fast had his progress been. Indeed, his first symphony was composed whilst aged 16.

Glazunov's music is characterized by its lush, romantic sound, drawing on the rich harmonic language of the late Romantic era: it blends Russian nationalist influences with more international, cosmopolitan elements, reflecting his role as a transitional figure in Russian music. In addition to his compositional output, Glazunov was an influential teacher and conductor: he served as director of the St. Petersburg Conservatory from 1905 to 1928, nurturing the talents of many young Russian composers, the most well-known being, perhaps, Shostakovich. He was regarded as a conservative figure in music and education organisation, so gradually fell out of favour with the state authorities running things after the October Revolution in 1917. Recognising that he was becoming tired of the in-fighting attending life at the Conservatory, he emigrated to Vienna in 1928. He toured America and Europe that year, before finally settling in Paris in 1929. He died there in 1936, being subsequently re-interred in a Leningrad cemetery in 1972.

Glazunov wrote three ballets; eight symphonies and many other orchestral works; five concertos (2 for piano; 1 for violin; 1 for cello; 1 for saxophone); seven string quartets; two piano sonatas and other piano pieces; miscellaneous instrumental pieces; and some songs. His music fell out of the mainstream repertoire for much of the 20th century, but there has been a renewed interest in his compositions in recent decades. His symphonies, concertos, and ballets are now regularly performed by orchestras around the world, allowing modern audiences to rediscover the rich, evocative sound world of this significant Russian composer.

---