Nikolay Sokolov (composer) facts for kids
Nikolay Alexandrovich Sokolov (Russian: Никола́й Алекса́ндрович Соколо́в; March 26, 1859 – March 27, 1922) was a Russian composer who wrote classical music. He was part of a group of musicians and composers known as the "Belyayev circle." This group was named after a music publisher named Mitrofan Belyayev, who helped many Russian composers.
Contents
Life and Music
Sokolov was born in Saint Petersburg, Russia, in 1859. He studied music with the famous composer Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov. Later, Sokolov became a teacher himself at the Saint Petersburg Conservatory. He taught many students who became well-known composers, including Alexander Tcherepnin, Dmitri Shostakovich, and Yuri Shaporin.
One of Sokolov's students, Dmitri Shostakovich, dedicated a piece of music to him after Sokolov passed away. This piece was called Theme and Variations in B-flat major for orchestra, Op. 3.
Sokolov's music was often part of projects with other composers from the "Belyayev circle." For example, he contributed to a collection of short pieces for string quartet called Les Vendredis. He also wrote variations for piano and orchestra based on a Russian folk tune.
His other works include:
- A Quintet, Op. 3, which was also arranged for string orchestra as a serenade.
- Choruses for women's voices, Op. 12.
- Piano variations, Op. 25.
- Variations on a popular Russian theme for string quartet.
- Three string quartets (in F major, A major, and D minor).
- A string trio in D minor, Op. 45.
All these works were published by Belyayev's company.
It is thought that Sokolov might have been considered to compose the music for the famous ballet The Firebird. However, the job eventually went to Igor Stravinsky.
Nikolay Sokolov passed away in Petrograd (which was Saint Petersburg's name at the time) in 1922, when he was 63 years old.
Selected Musical Works
Here are some of the types of music Nikolay Sokolov composed:
Orchestral Music
- Elegie, for orchestra (published in 1888)
- Four pieces for strings, Op. 18
- Second Serenade for strings, Op. 23
- Caressante polka, for string orchestra, Op. 38
- Divertissement, Op. 42
- Music for Shakespeare's play The Winter's Tale, for a large orchestra, Op. 44
- Ballet 'Les Cygnes Sauvages' (The Wild Swans) Op.40 Suite for Orchestra
String Quartets
- No. 1 in F major, Op. 7
- No. 2 in A major, Op. 14
- No. 3 in D minor, Op. 20
Other Chamber and Piano Music
- Elegie, for violin with piano, Op. 17
- Variations for piano, Op. 25
- String trio in D minor, Op. 45
- Romance for Cello and Piano, Op. 19
Vocal Music
- Four lieder (songs) from Op. 1
- Three-part chorus "Printemps" (Spring)
- Autumn for women's chorus and piano
- Four romances (songs) on words by Apollon Korinfsky with piano, Op. 24
- Choruses for Men's Voices, Op. 6
- Choruses for Men's Voices, Op. 15
