Vera Vinogradova facts for kids

Vera Pavlovna Vinogradova Biek (born February 23, 1895, died April 19, 1982) was a talented composer and pianist from the Soviet Union. She was known for her music, which she often shared using the name Vera Vinogradova.

Early Life and Music Studies

Vera was born in a city called Leningrad. She loved music from a young age. She went to the Leningrad Conservatory, a famous music school. There, she learned from amazing teachers like Alexander Glazunov, Leonid Nikolayev, and Maximilian Steinberg.

After she finished her studies, Vera stayed at the Leningrad Conservatory. She became a teacher there, sharing her knowledge with new students. She married a jazz musician named Hermann Biek, who later became known as Ben Berlin. They had two children, a son named Leopold and a daughter named Nina.

Travels and New Homes

Vera Vinogradova was a very active pianist. She performed piano concerts all over Europe and America. For a while, she and her husband lived in Berlin, Germany. But in 1933, they moved to Tallinn. This was because new laws in Germany made it difficult for them to stay there.

In Tallinn, Vera continued to teach piano and compose music. She also became involved with the Russian Theater and Music Society, helping with plays and musical events.

Life in England

In 1936, Vera and her family moved to England for good. She kept teaching piano lessons and writing new music. Some of her students became very famous, like the director Peter Brook and the actor Peter Ustinov.

Vera believed that music should always be shared. She made sure all her students performed their music for others. She often told them, "The only reason for you to learn music is . . . to share it with others." She thought it was important for people to hear and enjoy the music.

Vera's Compositions

Vera Vinogradova's music was published by companies like Augener & Co and Benno Balan. Here are some of the types of music she wrote:

Chamber Music

• String Quartet (music for four string instruments)
• Suite (a collection of pieces for violin and piano)

Orchestra Music

• Ballade (a piece for piano and a small orchestra)
• Piano Concerto (a piece for piano and a full orchestra)

Piano Music

• Deux Danses, opus 21 (two dances for piano)
• Friends of Youth (a piece she wrote with Hermann Biek)
• Tableaux d'Enfants, opus 25 (meaning "Children's Pictures," a collection of piano pieces)
• Toccatina, opus 29 (a short, fast piece for piano)