Alexander Gretchaninov facts for kids
Alexander Tikhonovich Gretchaninov (Russian: Алекса́ндр Ти́хонович Гречани́нов) was a famous Russian composer. He lived from October 25, 1864, to January 3, 1956. He wrote music in the Romantic style.
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Life of a Russian Composer
Alexander Gretchaninov started learning music quite late in life. His father was a businessman and wanted Alexander to take over the family business. But Alexander loved music. He once said he didn't even see a piano until he was 14 years old!
Early Musical Journey
In 1881, Alexander began studying at the Moscow Conservatory. He did this against his father's wishes and without him knowing. His main teachers there were Sergei Taneyev and Anton Arensky. Later, he moved to St. Petersburg. There, he studied with Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov until 1893. Rimsky-Korsakov quickly saw Alexander's amazing musical talent. He gave him extra lessons and even helped him with money. This support was very important for Alexander, as his parents were not helping him. They became close friends, and Rimsky-Korsakov's influence can be heard in Alexander's early music. For example, his String Quartet No. 1 won a prize.
Success and New Beginnings
Around 1896, Gretchaninov went back to Moscow. He started writing music for plays, operas, and the Russian Orthodox Church. His songs became very popular in Russia. His music for instruments was even more widely known. By 1910, he was such a respected composer that the Tsar gave him a yearly payment.
Alexander stayed in Russia for several years after the Revolution. However, he eventually decided to leave. He moved to France in 1925. Then, when he was 75, he moved to the United States in 1939. He lived in the U.S. for the rest of his life and became an American citizen. He passed away in New York when he was 91 years old. He is buried in Jackson Township, New Jersey.
His Music
Gretchaninov wrote many different kinds of music. He composed five symphonies. The first one was performed by his teacher, Rimsky-Korsakov. He also wrote four string quartets, and his first two won important awards. He created two piano trios and sonatas for instruments like violin, cello, and clarinet. He also wrote several operas and many songs. One famous song collection is Les Fleurs du Mal.
Types of Music He Wrote
His music connects older Romantic styles with newer sounds. Some of his later works show influences similar to those found in music by Igor Stravinsky and Sergei Prokofiev. He also wrote many short piano pieces. He even had ideas for a sixth symphony in the 1940s, but it was never finished.
Where to Find His Music
Most of Gretchaninov's original music papers are kept at the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts.
Important Works
Alexander Gretchaninov wrote a lot of music. Here are some examples of his different compositions:
Orchestral Pieces
- Symphonies: He wrote five symphonies. These are large musical pieces for a full orchestra.
- Concertos: He composed concertos for instruments like the cello, violin, and even for flute and harp together.
- Other orchestral works: This includes pieces like an Overture, an Elegy for Tchaikovsky, and music for plays.
Operas and Songs
- Operas: He wrote several operas, including Dobrynya Nikitich and The Dream of the Christmas Tree. He also wrote children's operas like Der Kater, der Hahn und der Fuchs (The Cat, the Rooster, and the Fox).
- Secular Songs: He composed many songs for voice and piano or orchestra. Some of these include Snowflakes and The Bee: 6 Children's Songs.
Church Music
Gretchaninov wrote a lot of music for the Russian Orthodox Church. This includes several "Liturgies" and other sacred works like Holy Week and All-Night Vigil. He also composed several "Masses."
Chamber and Piano Music
- Chamber Music: This is music for a small group of instruments. He wrote four string quartets and two piano trios. He also composed sonatas for violin, cello, and clarinet.
- Piano Music: He wrote many pieces for solo piano. These include "Pastelles," "Mazurkas," and "Moments lyriques." He also wrote pieces for children, like Livre d'enfants (Children's Book) and The Grandfather's Book. He composed two piano sonatas and two sonatinas.
See also
In Spanish: Aleksandr Grechanínov para niños
- Blazhen Muzh
