Alexander Spendiaryan
Alexander Spendiarov | |
---|---|
Transcaucasian SFSR, Soviet Union | |
Era | 20th century |
Works | Yerevan etudes, Almast opera |
Alexander Afanasyevich Spendiaryan (
Biography
Alexander Spendiarov was born on 1 November (as 20 October) 1871 in Kakhovka, province of Tavrik (modern Ukraine). His artistic abilities were formed in early childhood. He inherited his musical abilities from his mother who played piano. When Alexander Spendiarov was seven he wrote a
Spendiarov was awarded the Glinka prize three times for his three works: the symphonic picture "Three Palms" in 1908, the legend "Preacher Beda" in 1910 and the melody declamation "We’ll Have a Rest" in 1912. His symphonic pieces, songs and romances, choral works, and musico-declamatory pieces earned him high marks among audiences and professional musicians. Spendiarov led concerts in
In 1910 Spendiarov became a member of Yalta's Russian Musical Company.
The symphonic poem "Three Palms" occupies a special place among Spendiarov's symphonic compositions. With its poetic tone, picturesque nature, and bright coloring, it resembles the oriental program works of the
Other works by Spendiarov include "Concert Prelude", "Concert Waltz", and "Etude of Jewish Themes", Cantabile and Prelude for string quartet, Baracarolle, Minuet, Scherzo, romances and vocal instrumental works. "Oh Rose" (Aye Vart) was a very famous classical piece in Russia and the former USSR.
In 1916 Spendiarov performed in Tiflis, where he met poet
On 10 December 1924 Spendiarov, newly arrived in
The "Yerevan Sketches (Etudes)" (1925) comprise some of the best work of Spendiarov's last years. The sketches are proceeded by numerous notations of folk themes, and experiments in their arrangement and harmonization. In the sketches, Spendiarov introduced the dhol and the dayira, two Armenian musical instruments.
In 1926 the Soviet Armenian government awarded Spendiarov the title of People's Artist on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of his achievements in musical and public life.
Spendiarov died after a short illness in Yerevan in 1928. He is buried in the yard of Yerevan State Opera and ballet Theatre. A death mask of his face and right hand is exhibited in his House Museum. "What he gave us is immortal", said poet Avetik Isahakyan about Spendiarov.
Composer
Personal life
Spendiarov had a brother, Leonid, and three sisters. When Leonid died, Spendiarov married the widow to prevent his brother's son from growing up fatherless. Her name was Varvara Mazirova; she was a relative to
Museum
In 1967, the Alexander Spendiarov House Museum was established in the house where the composer lived during the last years of his life (the second floor apartment at 21 Nalbandyan Street, Yerevan). The Soviet Armenian government had given him a room in the communal apartment in 1926. Spendiarov used to enjoy the view of Mount Ararat from the small balcony. The museum has recreated the genuine atmosphere of the composer's study and presents the composer's personal belongings, numerous documents and other belongings. Spendiarov's portrait by Martiros Saryan painted in 1967, a poster announcing the opera, `Almast,' as the first performance to open the Opera building in Yerevan (1933), two of his violins and a piano are displayed in the apartment.
Works
Romances and songs
- Your Black Eyes Fascinated Me (P. Kozlov), 1888–1889
- No Question For Many A Day (V. Soloviov), 1892
- You Are the Bright Sun – The Sun of My Soul (anon.), serenade, 1892
- Song of the Drowned Woman (A. Podolinsky), 1895
- I Don't Know Why (L. May), 1895
- The Same Night (A. Borovikovsky), 1895
- Oh, Rose of My Youth (anon.), date unknown
- And Profound is Their Love (Lermontov, Heine), opus 1, No 1, 1895
- I Have Dreamed of your Love (Natson), opus 1, No. 2, 1898
- Ah, Rose (A. Tsaturian), opus 1, No. 3, 1894
Opera
- "Almast". Libretto by Sophia Parnok based on Hovhannes Tumanyan's "The Siege of Tmka Castle" poem. 1918–1928. Transl. into Armenian by P. Mikayelian
Symphonic
- "Minuet", opus 3, No 1, 1895
- "Lullaby", opus 3, No 2, 1897
- "Ancient Dance", opus 12, 1896
- "Concert Prelude", opus 4, 1900
- "Crimean Sketches". First series, opus 9, 1903
- "Three Palms", Symphonic poem, opus 10, 1905
- Prelude to the "Three Palms".
Other
- Waltz, 1892–1893;
- Menuet, 1895;
- Crimean esquizes, 1903, 1912;
- The Diviner, for piano four hands, Ed. and annotated by Haig Avakian, Cairo, Dream Press, 2000.
- Deux Berceuses for piano (Op. 3)
See also
- Dikran Tchouhadjian
- Vanoush Khanamirian
References
- ^ "СПЕНДИА'РОВ Александр Афанасьевич". istoriya-teatra.ru. Retrieved 2020-12-10.
- ^ Sovietskaya muzika, 1939, #9–10
- ^ Alexander Shahverdyan, A. Spendiaryan, Yerevan, 1971, p. 30
- ^ "The Life Course. Armenian period II". Alexander Spendiaryan House-Museum. Retrieved 2020-04-15.
- ^ "Александр Спендиаров". Кино-Театр.РУ. Retrieved 2020-12-10.
- ^ "APO Marks 80 Years of Symphonic Excellence in Armenia". Archived from the original on 2007-09-28. Retrieved 2007-08-16.