Tchaikovsky
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Aleksandr Glazunov (1865–1936), as portrayed by Ilya Repin in 1887

Aleksandr Glazunov

Russian composer and conductor (b.n 29 July/10 August 1865 in Saint Petersburg; d. 21 March 1936 in Neuilly-sur-Siene, near Paris), born Aleksandr Konstantinovich Glazunov (Александр Константинович Глазунов).

Alexander was the eldest child of Konstantin Ilyich Glazunov (1828–1914) and his wife Yelena (b. Gromova, 1846–1925). As a child he had an exceptional ear and memory for music, and began to study piano at the age of nine, and wrote his first composition two years later. On Balakirev's recommendation, Glazunov took private lessons in composition from Nikolay Rimsky-Korsakov for almost two years (1879–1881).

Tchaikovsky heard the premiere of Glazunov's First Symphony in 1882, although the two men only became personally acquainted two years later. Tchaikovsky took a great interest in the younger composer's career, and helped to publicise his music. They socialised regularly in Saint Petersburg, and Glazunov presented many inscribed copies of his works to the older composer, and dedicated his Third Symphony (1890) to Tchaikovsky.

Glazunov made his conducting debut in 1888, becoming principal conductor of the Russian Symphonic Concerts in Saint Petersburg, organised by Mitrofan Belyayev. In 1896 he conducted the premiere Tchaikovsky's student overture The Storm, which had never been performed during its author's lifetime. In 1899 Glazunov was appointed professor at the Saint Petersburg Conservatory, and served as its director from 1905 until 1930. Following the First World War he spent an increasing amount of time outside Russia; in 1929 he married Olga Nikolayevna Gavrilova (1875–1968), and eventually settled in Paris.

Tchaikovsky's correspondence with Aleksandr Glazunov:

• 12 letters from Tchaikovsky to Aleksandr Glazunov have survived, dating from 1887 to 1892.

External links:
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• Wikipedia entry for Alexander Glazunov
• Works by Alexander Glazunov at the IMSLP/Petrucci Music Library