Aleksandra Pakhmutova facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Aleksandra Pakhmutova
|
|
|---|---|
| Александра Пахмутова | |
Pakhmutova in 2004
|
|
| Born |
Aleksandra Nikolayevna Pakhmutova
9 November 1929 |
| Alma mater | Moscow Conservatory |
| Occupation | Composer |
| Years active | 1955–present |
| Title |
|
| Spouse(s) | Nikolai Dobronravov (1956–2023) |
Aleksandra Nikolayevna Pakhmutova (Russian: Александра Николаевна Пахмутова ; born 9 November 1929) is a famous Russian composer. She has been one of the most well-known musicians in Russia since the 1960s. She is famous for writing many popular songs.
Contents
Her Life Story
Aleksandra Pakhmutova was born on November 9, 1929. Her hometown was Beketovka, which is now part of Volgograd, Russia. She started playing the piano and writing music when she was very young.
In 1936, she began studying at the Stalingrad City Music School. During World War II, she moved to Karaganda for a short time to stay safe and continue her studies. Later, she was accepted into the famous Moscow Conservatory. She finished her studies there in 1953. In 1956, she completed advanced training with a well-known composer named Vissarion Shebalin.
Her Music Career
Aleksandra Pakhmutova is known for writing music in many different styles. She has created pieces for a symphony orchestra, which is a large group of musicians playing classical instruments. She also wrote music for a ballet called Illumination.
She composed many songs and music for children. She also wrote music for more than a dozen movies. Her first movie music was for Out of This World in 1958. Her last was for Because of Mama in 2001.
She is most famous for her over 400 songs. Many of these songs are still very popular today. Some of her well-known songs include The Melody, Tenderness, and Hope.
One of her songs, The Bird of Happiness, became very famous in both Russia and China. Another famous song, Good-Bye Moscow, was played as the farewell tune for the 1980 Olympic Games in Moscow. Her song Tenderness was also used in a popular 1967 film.
Her husband, Nikolai Dobronravov, was a poet. He often wrote the words for her music. They worked together on songs for three different movies.
One of her most loved songs is Belovezhskaya Pushcha. She wrote it in 1975. This song celebrates the beautiful Białowieża Forest. This forest is a special natural area shared by Poland and Belarus.
Aleksandra Pakhmutova was very well-liked by both the public and the government. She received many important awards and prizes from the government. She was even named a Hero of Socialist Labour in 1990. This is a very high honor for someone's work. An Asteroid was even named after her: 1889 Pakhmutova.
Personal Life
In 1956, Pakhmutova married Nikolai Dobronravov. He was an actor and a poet. They met when he was asked to write words for one of her children's songs. They wrote many songs for children together. The couple did not have children of their own.
Her Compositions
Famous Songs
Aleksandra Pakhmutova has written over 500 songs! Here are some of her most famous ones:
- «Надежда» ("The Hope")
- «Песня о тревожной молодости» ("Song of Restless Youth")
- «Мелодия» ("Melody")
- «Беловежская пуща» ("Białowieża Forest")
- «Нежность» ("Tenderness")
- «Команда молодости нашей» ("Our Youth Team")
- «Старый клён» ("Old Maple")
- «Как молоды мы были» ("How Young We Were")
- «Трус не играет в хоккей» ("No Coward Plays Hockey")
- «И вновь продолжается бой» ("And the Battle Is Going Again")
- «Слава вперёдсмотрящему» ("Glory to the Ones Who Look Forward")
Other Works
- Vocal Cycles: These are groups of songs that tell a story or have a common theme. Examples include "Gagarin's Constellation" and "Songs about Lenin."
- Orchestral Music: Music written for a full orchestra, like her Russian Suite (1953).
- Concertos: Pieces written for a solo instrument (like a trumpet) with an orchestra. Her "Trumpet Concerto" (1955) is an example.
- Cantatas: Musical pieces for singers and an orchestra, often telling a story.
- Overtures: Short musical pieces often played at the beginning of a larger work.
- Instrumental Music: Music for instruments without singing, such as "The Rhythms of Time."
Recordings
Many of Aleksandra Pakhmutova's works have been recorded. Here are a few notable recordings:
- 1971: Concerto for Orchestra in E Major (USSR State Academic Symphony Orchestra)
- 1985: Marshal Zhukov March (from the film "Battle of Moscow")
- 2015: Concerto for solo Trumpet and Orchestra (performed by Timofei Dokschitzer)
- 2019: Anniversary Concert for Aleksandra Pakhmutova (at the Bolshoi Theater)
Honors and Awards
Aleksandra Pakhmutova has received many important awards for her amazing contributions to music.
- Awards from Russia and the Soviet Union
- Hero of Socialist Labour (1990) – This was a very high honor for her great work in music.
- Hero of Labour of the Russian Federation (2024) – Another top award for her long and creative career.
- Two Orders of Lenin (1979 and 1990)
- Order of St. Andrew (2019)
- Order "For Merit to the Fatherland" (various classes, 1999, 2009, 2014) – These awards recognize her huge impact on Russian music.
- Order of the Red Banner of Labour, twice (1967, 1971)
- Order of Friendship of Peoples (1986)
- State Prize of the Russian Federation (2015)
- USSR State Prize (1975, 1982) – These were given for her songs and for her music for the film O Sport, You Are Peace!.
- Lenin Komsomol Prize (1966) – For her songs about youth.
- People's Artist of the RSFSR (1977) and People's Artist of the USSR (1984) – These titles mean she was recognized as a leading artist.
- She is also an Honorary Citizen of Volgograd, Bratsk, and Moscow.
- International Awards
- Order of Francysk Skaryna (Belarus, 2000) – For helping to build cultural ties between Belarus and Russia.
- Other Awards
- Order of St. Euphrosyne, 2nd class (Russian Orthodox Church, 2008)
- The title "Living Legend" from the Russian award "Ovation" (2002)
- The award "Russian National Olympus" (2004)
See Also
- 1889 Pakhmutova
