The Bust of M. A. Balakirev is a Soviet-era monument installed in Nizhny Novgorod in 1980 in the small public garden by building No. 5 on Proviantskaya Street. It is dedicated to the composer, conductor, organizer, and head of "The Mighty Handful" Mily Alekseyevich Balakirev (1837–1910), who was born in Nizhny Novgorod. The monument was built in 1979–1980 and is under state protection as a cultural heritage site.[1]
History of the monument
From 1842 to 1848, M. A. Balakirev lived in building No. 5 on Proviantskaya Street, where he received his first piano lessons.[2] In 1973, the building was restored and handed over to the Nizhny Novgorod branch of the Composers' Union; it now houses the Balakirev Museum.[2] In 1979, it was decided to install a monument to the composer in the garden in front of the house.[1]
Project authors
The bust was created to a design by sculptor V. I. Purikhov and architect G. P. Malkov.[2]
Description of the monument
The sculpted bust is made of black granite; Balakirev's signature is carved in gold on the pedestal.[2] Next to the bust stands a bronze stele in the form of a musical staff, bearing the words: "Had it not been for Balakirev, the fate of Russian music would have been completely different."[1]
Unveiling of the monument
The monument was formally unveiled on October 10, 1980. Students and faculty of the conservatory, the boys' choir school, and staff of the philharmonic attended the rally.[2]
Sources
- dic.academic.ru — Bust of M.A. Balakirev (Nizhny Novgorod) — what is it? What is the Bust of M.A. Balakirev (Nizhny Novgorod)? (archive)
- Wikipedia (ru) — Bust of M. A. Balakirev (Nizhny Novgorod) (archive)