Kasyanov Alexander Alexandrovich (1891–1982) — founder of the Gorky composers' organization. Born on 30 August 1891 in the selo of Bolobonovo, Kurmysh Uyezd, Simbirsk Governorate; he spent his childhood in the selo of Lyskovo, and in the early twentieth century his family moved to Nizhny Novgorod, where he enrolled in a gymnasium. In 1909 Kasyanov graduated from the Nizhny Novgorod gymnasium and from V. M. Tsaregradsky's private music school, after which he enrolled in the law faculty of Saint Petersburg Imperial University; in the autumn of 1911 he transferred to the Saint Petersburg Conservatory.[1] He began his musical education under E. A. Skvortsova, a student of the Moscow Conservatory, and was then — on the advice of his uncle, the distinguished Russian pianist and composer S. M. Lyapunov — placed at V. M. Tsaregradsky's music school in Nizhny Novgorod; in 1904 S. M. Lyapunov introduced the thirteen-year-old Kasyanov to M. A. Balakirev in Saint Petersburg.

In 1912 Kasyanov left for Saint Petersburg and entered the conservatory, where he studied under Professor N. A. In 1917 Kasyanov graduated from the Petrograd Conservatory in the composition class of N. A. Sokolov, after which he continued his studies in the conservatory's advanced course — piano under S. M. Lyapunov.[2] Sokolov, consulted with A. K. Glazunov, and studied conducting under N. N. Cherepnin; Alexander Glazunov, who headed the Petrograd Conservatory during Kasyanov's student years, gave him a signed photograph inscribed: "To the talented musician who earnestly strives toward the ideals of art, the sympathetic A. Kasyanov, as a fond remembrance from A. Glazunov, who is sincerely well-disposed toward him."[2] In 1918 he returned to Nizhny Novgorod and began teaching at the newly opened People's Conservatory, which was subsequently reorganized into a music technical college that he headed from 1921.

For thirty years Kasyanov served as head of the music department at the Gorky Academic Drama Theatre named after A. M. Gorky, and from 1947 to 1982 he worked as a professor at the Gorky State Conservatory named after M. I. Glinka.[3] He is the author of the operas Stepan Razin, Foma Gordeyev, and Yermak, the cantata Valery Chkalov, and other musical works. Among Kasyanov's compositions are the opera Partizanka (1941) and the opera Na Dalnom Severe [In the Far North] (1947), as well as more than 50 romances set to verse by F. I. Tyutchev, A. S. Pushkin, A. A. Blok, and other poets, seven piano sonatas (1917–1971), and 24 preludes (1968).[2] The opera Yermak was written for the 375th anniversary of Siberia's incorporation into Russia and was performed at the Novosibirsk Theatre in 1957.

In 1956, while in Novosibirsk for the premiere of the opera Yermak, Kasyanov caught a cold and developed ear complications; in 1962 he lost his hearing, which never recovered for the rest of his life.[1] In 1939 Kasyanov's first opera, Stepan Razin, was staged at the Gorky Opera and Ballet Theatre; during the Great Patriotic War, the patriotic songs he wrote were performed in the mobile variety theatre Snaiper [Sniper].[1][3] People's Artist of the USSR, Honored Arts Worker of the RSFSR, laureate of the RSFSR State Prize named after M. I. Glinka.

Kasyanov was awarded the title of People's Artist of the USSR in 1971.[2] From 1951 to 1960, Kasyanov headed the board of the Gorky branch of the Composers' Union of the RSFSR. In 1958, Kasyanov took part in a competition to create the State Anthem of the USSR; fellow competitor D.R. Rogal-Levitsky noted that "at the very first listening it became clear that, of all four anthems, Kasyanov's was likely to prove the most solid," yet no decision on the competition was ever reached.[1][2]

Achievements

He was awarded the Orders of Lenin and the Red Banner of Labour, as well as various medals. He was also awarded the Order of the October Revolution.[3]

The title of Honorary Citizen of the City of Gorky was conferred by a decision of the Gorky City Soviet of People's Deputies on 15 September 1977.

See also

Sources

  1. nsportal.ru — In 1909, Kasyanov graduated from the Nizhny Novgorod gymnasium and V.M. Tsaregradsky's private music school, after which he enrolled in the law faculty of Saint Petersburg
  2. belcanto.ru — In 1917, Kasyanov graduated from the Petrograd Conservatory in the composition class of N.A. Sokolov, after which he continued his studies in the advanced course at the conservatory (archive)
  3. opentextnn.ru — Aleksandr Aleksandrovich Kasyanov was born on 30 August 1891 in the selo of Bolobanovo, Kurmysh Uyezd, Simbirsk Governorate; he spent his childhood years in the selo of Lyskovo, and in th (archive)