[Editor’s Note.—Owing to the fact that the Russians have their own alphabet, many letters of which represent sounds that are not to be clearly indicated in our system of orthography, there is considerable confusion as to the correct method of spelling Russian names. “Glazounov,” for instance, is variously spelled by different authorities, “Glazounov,” “Glazunov,” “Glazounow,” “Glazounoff,” “Glazunoff,” etc. In the following list the spelling as far as possible has been that found in Grove’s Dictionary of Music. Many names are included, however, which are not to be found in Grove, or indeed in any one musical dictionary, as a variety of sources of information have been drawn upon. Where Grove’s spelling is not forthcoming, the spelling is that given by other authorities.]
Alpheraky, A. N., 1846. Popular composer.
Altschuler, Modest, 1873. Distinguished Russian-American conductor.
Araja, F., 1700-1770. An Italian opera composer who resided in Russia and wrote the oldest Russian opera, Cephalos and Prokris, 1755
Arensky, A. S., 1862-1906. Russian composer and pianist. Wrote operas, cantatas, symphonies, chamber music, church music, songs and piano pieces.
Arnold, Y. von, 1811-98. Russian composer and music critic.
Artschibousheff, N. V. 1858. Pianist and composer.
Asantschewsky, M. P. von, 1838-81. Pianist and composer.
Balakirev, Mily Alex., 1837-1910. Eminent composer and one of the chief apostles of the Russian national school of music. A great teacher. Besekirsky, Vasil V., 1836. Violinist and composer.
Blaramberg, Paul I., 1841. Opera composer and writer on musical subjects.
Blumenfeld, F., 1863. Pianist and teacher.
Borodin, A. P., 1834-87. Highly gifted composer of opera and orchestral music.
Bortnianski, D. S., 1752-1825. Composer. First to reduce Russian church music to a system, and a great choir director.
Brodsky, Adolf, 1851. Distinguished violinist.
Brounoff, Platon. Russian-American composer. Pupil of Rubinstein and Rimsky-Korsakov. In America since 1891.
Cui, C. A., 1835. Composer of operas, orchestral music, songs, choruses, etc. One of the leaders of the “New Russian School.”
Dargomijsky, A. S., 1813-1869. One of the foremost of the Russian composers. Wrote operas, orchestral music, chamber music, songs, piano pieces, etc.
Davidov, K. J., 1838-89. Renowned ‘cellist, composer and teacher.
Essipoff, Annette, 1851. Famous Russian pianist.
Gabrilowitsch, O. S., 1878. Renowned Russian pianist.
Galitzin, Nicholas B. A Russian Prince who was a patron of Beethoven.
Galitzin, George, 1823-72. Son of preceding, Imperial Chamberlain. He formed a choir of seventy boys and orchestra with which he traveled Europe and America giving concerts of Russian music. Composed masses, etc.
Glazounov (Glazunov), A., 1865. Distinguished Russian composer. Has written many symphonies, suites, overtures; chamber music; and piano pieces, etc.
Gliere, R. M., 1874. Composer of distinction.
Glinka, M. I., 1804-57. “The pioneer Russian National composer.” His opera, A Life for the Czar, was the starting point of the modern Russian school of music.
Grechaninov, Alex. T., 1864. Russian composer of piano music.
Gregorovitch, C., 1867. Violinist.
Grodski, B., 1865. Russian composer.
Hambourg, M., 1879. Distinguished Russian pianist.
Ilyinsky, A. A., 1859. Composer of opera, symphonies, etc.
Ippolitov-Ivanov, Michael M., 1859. Composer of operas, orchestral music, chamber music, etc.
Juon, P., 1872. Composer of distinction.
Jürgensen, P. I., 1836-1904. Founded celebrated publishing house.
Kalinnikov, Basil S., 1866-1901. Composer.
Karganoff, G., 1858-90. Pianist and composer of piano works.
Kasatchenko, N. I., 1858. Composer and chorus master Imperial opera, St. Petersburg.
Kasauli, N. I., 1869. Conductor and composer.
Kashkin, N. D., 1839. Pianist and writer.
Kashperov, V. N., 1827-94. Composer and teacher.
Klenovski, N. S., 1857. Conductor and composer.
Kochanski, P., 1887. Violinist.
Kopyloff, A., 1854. Composer.
Korestchenko, A. N. Composer.
Lerner, Tina. Contemporary Russian pianist.
Leps, Wassili, 1869. Distinguished Russian-American composer, conductor and teacher. Received musical education wholly in Germany.
Liadov, A., 1855. Composer of many well-known piano pieces. Teacher, and one who has done much for Russian national music.
Liapounov, S. M., 1859. Composer of orchestral works. Helped Liadov to collect Russian folk-songs.
Lissenko, N. V., 1842. Composer of operas, songs, etc.
Lvov (or Lwoff), A. von, 1799-1870. Composer of Russian National anthem, and of operas, violin music, Russian part-songs, etc.
Malaschkin, L. D., 1842-1902. Popular Russian song composer.
Maykapar, S., 1867. Virtuoso pianist and composer.
Medtner, N., 1874. Composer and teacher.
Melgounow, J. von, 1846. Pianist and writer on rhythm, etc.
Moussorgsky, M. P., 1839-1881. One of the foremost of the Russian composers, and a man of great genius. He was morbid and sensitive, and deeply imbued with ideals of political freedom. His works reflect his character, and “his dominant idea was to bring music into closer relationship with actual life.” His best known work is the opera Boris Godounov and his songs.
Napravnik, E. F., 1839. Bohemian by birth, his best work as conductor and composer of exceptional ability has been done in Russia. Oulibicheff, A. von, 1795-1858. Writer on musical topics.
Pachmann, Vladimir de, 1848. Distinguished contemporary Russian pianist specially noted for his interpretations of Chopin’s works.
Pachulski, II., 1859. Noted pianist.
Rachmaninov, S. V., 1873. Famous contemporary Russian pianist, and regarded by many as the foremost living Russian composer. Has written a symphony, an opera, and many pianoforte compositions, including the well-known Prelude in C-sharp minor.
Rasoumowsky, A. K., 1752-1836. Russian nobleman who befriended Beethoven, and to whom Beethoven dedicated his three string quartets.
Rebikoff, V. I., 1866. Composer of operas, songs and piano pieces, which have been described as “weird, dissonant and remarkable.”
Rimsky-Korsakov, N. A., 1844-1908. Founder of the “Neo-Modern Russian” school. Distinguished composer of several successful operas, symphonies and other orchestral works; church music, chamber music, songs, etc.
Rubinstein, Anton G., 1829-14. One of the world’s greatest pianists. One of the leading spirits in the foundation of a Russian school of music, though his own compositions follow German models. Wrote seven Russian operas, six German operas, five “sacred operas” or oratorios, cantatas, symphonies (including the Ocean Symphony), chamber music, etc., besides songs and piano pieces such as Melody in F and Barcarolle, Kammenoi Ostrow and other similar works.
Rubinstein, Nicholas, 1835-81. Brother of Anton, and a great pianist. Founded the Russian Musical Society, 1859, and this society founded the Moscow Conservatory which Nicholas Rubinstein directed until his death.
Rubinstein, Joseph, 1847-84. Noted pianist and friend of Wagner. No relation to Anton or Nicholas Rubinstein.
Safonoff, W., 1852. Pianist, teacher and renowned conductor.
Sapellnikoff, W., 1868. Famous pianist.
Schütt, Eduard, 1856. Eminent composer. Born and educated in St. Petersburg. Long associated with musical life in Vienna.
Scriabin, A., 1872. Distinguished pianist, and composer of remarkable piano pieces.
Serov, A. N., 1820-1871. Famous critic, composer, and one of the most important figures in the foundation of Russian national music.
Siloti, A., 1863., Remarkable contemporary pianist.
Smolensky, S. V., 1848. Authority on Russian church music.
Sokalsky, P. P., 1832-87. Composer of opera, and writer on musical subjects.
Sokolov, N. A., 1859. Composer of orchestral and chamber music, choruses, songs, etc.
Soloviev, N. T. Composer of operas, cantatas, songs, orchestral and chamber music, etc.
Stassov, V. V., 1824-1906. Art critic and important writer on musical affairs.
Stcherbatchev, Nicholas V., 1853. Pianist and composer.
Stcherbatchev, Andrew V., 1869. Composer.
Sternberg, C. von, 1852. Distinguished piano virtuoso.
Taneiev, S. I., 1856. One of the most remarkable of the Russian composers. Tchaikovsky, who instructed him in composition, greatly respected Taneiev’s criticisms of his own works. Has composed symphonies, operas, cantatas, chamber music, etc. Is also a fine pianist and teacher.
Tchaikovsky, P. I., 1840-1893. Most distinguished of modern Russian composers. Wrote operas, including Eugene Onegin; symphonies, including the immortal Pathétique, besides other orchestral works such as the “1812” overture, Slav March and similar works. Also composed songs and piano pieces. His works portray every shade of emotion; and his orchestral compositions, in particular, are characterized by freshness, power and originality.
Timanoff, Vera, 1855. Noted Russian pianist.
Turtshaninoff, Peter I., 1779-1856. High priest whoso compositions are said to be important. They are in manuscript in the Imperial Chapel.
Vassilenko, S., 1872. Conductor, composer and teacher.
Verstovsky, A. N., 1799-1862. Wrote seven operas, besides much popular music.
Wihtol, J., 1863. Composer and teacher of eminence.
Wilhorski, M. J., 1787-1863. Fine ‘cellist
Winogradsky, A., 1854. Noted conductor.
Wrangell, W. G.. 1862. Composer and writer.
Zacherewitsch, M., 1879. Celebrated violinist.
