Alexander Taneyev
Encyclopedia
Alexander Sergeyevich Taneyev was a Russian composer of the late Romantic
era, specifically of the nationalist
school. Among his best works were three string quartet
s, believed to have been composed between 1898–1900.
Alexander Taneyev is not well known outside Russia. His name is often confused with that of his distant cousin Sergei Taneyev
(1856–1915) (who was sometimes known as the "Russian Brahms" due to the emphasis he placed on structural thinking over orchestration and texture).
Taneyev was the father of Anna Vyrubova
, a lady in waiting and best friend of Tsarina Alexandra
. Vyrubova was best known for her relationship with the Romanov family and for her attachment to the starets
Grigori Rasputin
.
Taneyev pursued musical studies in Germany and later in Petersburg, where he became a student of Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov
. Taneyev's situation at this time bore similarities to that of fellow composer Alexander Borodin
. Both were composers whose main occupation was not in music (Borodin was a chemistry professor; Taneyev held a bureaucratic post). It was rumored that Taneyev kept a score that he was working on hidden beneath official documents so that he might pen a few notes between appointments.
Taneyev's compositional output was large: two operas, three symphonies, several pieces for orchestra, numerous choral works, and a considerable amount of chamber music including three string quartets. The influence on his work of the other Russian nationalist composers, such as Rimsky-Korsakov, Balakirev
and Lyadov, is often noted.
Orchestral
Concertante
Chamber music
Piano
(1860-1937). They had three children: Anna Vyrubova
(1884-1964); Sergei Alexandrovich (1886-1975); and Alexandra Alexandrovna
(1888-1968), who married Alexander Erikovich von Pistohlkors
, the stepson of Grand Duke Paul Alexandrovich of Russia
.
Romantic music
Romantic music or music in the Romantic Period is a musicological and artistic term referring to a particular period, theory, compositional practice, and canon in Western music history, from 1810 to 1900....
era, specifically of the nationalist
Nationalism (music)
Musical nationalism refers to the use of musical ideas or motifs that are identified with a specific country, region, or ethnicity, such as folk tunes and melodies, rhythms, and harmonies inspired by them...
school. Among his best works were three string quartet
String quartet
A string quartet is a musical ensemble of four string players – usually two violin players, a violist and a cellist – or a piece written to be performed by such a group...
s, believed to have been composed between 1898–1900.
Alexander Taneyev is not well known outside Russia. His name is often confused with that of his distant cousin Sergei Taneyev
Sergei Taneyev
Sergei Ivanovich Taneyev , was a Russian composer, pianist, teacher of composition, music theorist and author.-Life:...
(1856–1915) (who was sometimes known as the "Russian Brahms" due to the emphasis he placed on structural thinking over orchestration and texture).
Taneyev was the father of Anna Vyrubova
Anna Vyrubova
Anna Alexandrovna Vyrubova, née Taneyeva , was a lady-in-waiting, best friend and confidante to Tsaritsa Alexandra Fyodorovna.-Early life:...
, a lady in waiting and best friend of Tsarina Alexandra
Alexandra Fyodorovna of Hesse
Alix of Hesse and by Rhine later Alexandra Feodorovna Romanova , was Empress consort of Russia as spouse of Nicholas II, the last Emperor of the Russian Empire...
. Vyrubova was best known for her relationship with the Romanov family and for her attachment to the starets
Starets
A starets is an elder of a Russian Orthodox monastery who functions as venerated adviser and teacher. Elders or spiritual fathers are charismatic spiritual leaders whose wisdom stems from God as obtained from ascetic experience...
Grigori Rasputin
Grigori Rasputin
Grigori Yefimovich Rasputin was a Russian Orthodox Christian and mystic who is perceived as having influenced the latter days of the Russian Emperor Nicholas II, his wife Alexandra, and their only son Alexei...
.
Background
Alexander Taneyev inherited an enthusiasm for music from his parents. He was dissuaded from pursuing a career as a musician due to his position in the Russian upper class. After studying at university, he entered the Russian civil service, succeeding his father as Director of the Imperial Chancellery. After 1900 he was the head of the folksong collection project of the Russian Geographical Society. Several of the songs collected during this period were later arranged and published by Anatoly Lyadov.Taneyev pursued musical studies in Germany and later in Petersburg, where he became a student of Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov
Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov
Nikolai Andreyevich Rimsky-Korsakov was a Russian composer, and a member of the group of composers known as The Five.The Five, also known as The Mighty Handful or The Mighty Coterie, refers to a circle of composers who met in Saint Petersburg, Russia, in the years 1856–1870: Mily Balakirev , César...
. Taneyev's situation at this time bore similarities to that of fellow composer Alexander Borodin
Alexander Borodin
Alexander Porfiryevich Borodin was a Russian Romantic composer and chemist of Georgian–Russian parentage. He was a member of the group of composers called The Five , who were dedicated to producing a specifically Russian kind of art music...
. Both were composers whose main occupation was not in music (Borodin was a chemistry professor; Taneyev held a bureaucratic post). It was rumored that Taneyev kept a score that he was working on hidden beneath official documents so that he might pen a few notes between appointments.
Taneyev's compositional output was large: two operas, three symphonies, several pieces for orchestra, numerous choral works, and a considerable amount of chamber music including three string quartets. The influence on his work of the other Russian nationalist composers, such as Rimsky-Korsakov, Balakirev
Mily Balakirev
Mily Alexeyevich Balakirev ,Russia was still using old style dates in the 19th century, and information sources used in the article sometimes report dates as old style rather than new style. Dates in the article are taken verbatim from the source and therefore are in the same style as the source...
and Lyadov, is often noted.
Selected works
Opera- Cupid's Revenge (Месть Амура), opera, Op. 13 (1899); libretto by Tatyana Lvovna Shchepkina-Kupernik
- The Blizzard (Метель), opera in 2 acts, 4 scenes (1914); libretto by V. Svetlov after poems of D. Tsertelev
Orchestral
- Suite No. 1, Op. 9
- Festive March (Торжественный марш), Op. 12
- Suite No. 2 in F major, Op. 14
- Theme with Variations
- Menuetto. Tranquillo
- Andantino
- Finale. Allegro con spirito
- SymphonySymphonyA symphony is an extended musical composition in Western classical music, scored almost always for orchestra. A symphony usually contains at least one movement or episode composed according to the sonata principle...
No. 2 in B minor, Op. 21 (1903)
- Symphony
- Andante - Allegro
- Scherzo
- Adagio mosso
- Finale. Allegro vivacissimo
- Hamlet, Overture, Op. 31 (pub. 1906)
Concertante
- Rêverie for violin and orchestra, Op. 23
Chamber music
- Petite valse for violin and piano
- Bagatelle and Serenade for cello and piano, Op.10
- Arabesque for clarinet and piano, Op. 24
- String QuartetString quartetA string quartet is a musical ensemble of four string players – usually two violin players, a violist and a cellist – or a piece written to be performed by such a group...
No. 1 in G major, Op. 25 - String Quartet No. 2 in C major, Op. 28
- String Quartet No. 3 in A major, Op. 30
- Album Leaf (Листок из альбома) in G major for viola and piano, Op. 33
Piano
- Valse-caprice in A major
- Valse-caprice in D major
- Mazurka No. 1, Op. 15
- Mazurka No. 3 "Souvenir de Bade", Op. 20
- Bluette, Op. 22
Personal life
Taneyev married Nadezhda Illarionovna TolstoyTolstoy
Tolstoy, or Tolstoi is a prominent family of Russian nobility, descending from Andrey Kharitonovich Tolstoy who served under Vasily II of Moscow...
(1860-1937). They had three children: Anna Vyrubova
Anna Vyrubova
Anna Alexandrovna Vyrubova, née Taneyeva , was a lady-in-waiting, best friend and confidante to Tsaritsa Alexandra Fyodorovna.-Early life:...
(1884-1964); Sergei Alexandrovich (1886-1975); and Alexandra Alexandrovna
Alexandra Pistohlkors
Alexandra Alexandrovna Pistohlkors,, née Taneyeva, was the younger daughter of noted Russian composer Alexander Taneyev, sister of Anna Vyrubova, and wife of Alexander Erikovich Pistohlkors, who was the stepson of Grand Duke Paul Alexandrovich of Russia.Like her sister, Alexandra was for a time a...
(1888-1968), who married Alexander Erikovich von Pistohlkors
Alexander Pistohlkors
Alexander Erikovich Pistohlkors, , was a Russian Life Guards officer who was known for his cruelty in putting down the rebellion following the Russian Revolution of 1905.-Background and connections:...
, the stepson of Grand Duke Paul Alexandrovich of Russia
Grand Duke Paul Alexandrovich of Russia
Grand Duke Paul Alexandrovich of Russia was the eighth child of Tsar Alexander II of Russia by his first wife Empress Maria Alexandrovna. His birth was commemorated by the naming of the city of Pavlodar in Kazakhstan...
.
External links
- Alexander Taneyev String Quartet Nos.1, 2 & 3 Soundbites and discussion or works.