Composer Biographies: Kabalevsky
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Dmitri Kabalewski (1904 - 1987)
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Dmitri Kabalevsky, the Russian composer, pianist, pedagogue and writer
on music, was born on 30 December 1904 in St. Petersburg. His earliest
training was in no way focussed upon a musical career. His father was
a mathematician and worked in a Russian insurance company. His intention
was to have his son trained in mathematics and national economics as
well. Kabalevsky revealed musical talent early on. He wrote poems, drew
and received piano lessons.
In 1918 the family moved to Moscow. During these years the boy had
not yet given up drawing, receiving parallel piano instruction at the
Scriabin Institute under Selyanov. In 1922 Kabalevsky passed the entrance
examination at the Engels Socio-National Economic Institute, but did
not register there as a student. At this time, his decision to become
a pianist was ripening. This is when he also began his pedagogical activity,
also playing the piano to accompany silent movies and appearing as piano
accompanist at the Scriabin and Rubinstein Institutes. During this time
he also began to compose, his first pieces having been written for his
pupils.
In 1925 he began his training at the Moscow Conservatory, studying composition
under Catoire and subsequently under Miaskovsky, also continuing piano
studies under Goldenveyzer.
The influence of his teacher Miaskovsky on Kabalevsky was to be very
strong. The first compositions to become known beyond the borders of
the former Soviet Union were the First Piano Sonata, the String Quartet
No. 1 and the Piano Concerto No. 1. Kabalevsky's career as a writer
on music also began in 1927, with his work at the ASM periodical Sovremennaya.
From 1930 he worked as an editor at the music publisher Muzgiz. In 1932
he took over an assistant professorship at the Moscow Conservatory;
this was transformed into a full professorship in 1939.
The years 1932-1941 were the most influential ones in Kabalevsky's
development as a composer. Most of his music for the stage and for radio
productions was written during this time. Now Kabalevsky came to terms
with the genre of music theatre. The opera "Colas Breugnon"
was based upon a subject by Romain Rolland.
In 1952 the meanwhile internationally recognised and esteemed pedagogue,
author and composer became Secretary of the Board of Directors of the
Soviet Composers' Union. Besides stage works and vocal compositions,
Kabalevsky's instrumental works, especially chamber works and pedagogical
piano works, are at the centre of his interest. His predominantly lyrical
musical language, rooted in folk music, is clearly influenced by the
19th century Russian musical tradition.
Kabalevsky died in 1987.
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