Nicolai Berezowsky
Encyclopedia
Nicolai Tikhonovich Berezowsky (May 17, 1900August 27, 1953) was a Russian-born American
violin
ist and composer
.
He was born in St. Petersburg, Russia
on May 17, 1900, graduating from the Imperial Capella with honors when he was sixteen. As a young boy singer in the chapel choir, he recalled singing for the Tsar's family and Rasputin. He tells in the book Duet with Nicky of how the choirboys would tear pages from their hymnals to make spit-balls which they would aim at Rasputin. He later served as musical director of the School of Modern Art in Moscow and as first violinist at the Moscow Grand Opera
. In 1922, he made a harrowing escape from the Soviet Union in disguise, only to be arrested in Poland, but was released by an official who remembered hearing him perform. Once settled in New York, Berezowsky attended the Juilliard School
of Music, studying under Paul Kochanski
and Rubin Goldmark
. He was first violinist with the New York Philharmonic
for the first seven years of his U.S. residence. He played in the Coolidge String Quartet from 1935-1940. He was a protege of Serge Koussevitzky
, who premiered his symphonies to great acclaim.
According to a contemporary and friend, Lucile Lawrence, Berezowsky's music was very popular in his lifetime and he was at that time a better-known figure than Aaron Copland
.
He married Alice Newman, a notable pianist, who later published a memoir, "Duet with Nicky" about their early years together (Lippincott). His second wife was Judith Berezowsky. He died on August 27, 1953 in New York
.
Among Berezowsky's works are an opera, Prince Batrak, two symphonies, concertos for harp
, violin
and 'cello, and many diverse works of chamber music. His recordings include an LP set of Mussorgsky
's Boris Godunov
, which he conducted. He enjoyed a great success with his children's opera Babar, and his oratorio Gilgamesh. His Concerto for Harp was commissioned by Edna Phillips, who gave the premiere with the Philadelphia Orchestra
, and performed by Carlos Salzedo
with the National Orchestra Association under Leon Barzin
with an original cadenza by Salzedo, included in the edition published by Theodore Presser. It was not performed again until performances by Saul Davis Zlatkovski in recital and with the St. Paul J.C.C. Symphony Orchestra under James Riccardo in 1990.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
violin
Violin
The violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....
ist and composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
.
He was born in St. Petersburg, Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
on May 17, 1900, graduating from the Imperial Capella with honors when he was sixteen. As a young boy singer in the chapel choir, he recalled singing for the Tsar's family and Rasputin. He tells in the book Duet with Nicky of how the choirboys would tear pages from their hymnals to make spit-balls which they would aim at Rasputin. He later served as musical director of the School of Modern Art in Moscow and as first violinist at the Moscow Grand Opera
Bolshoi Theatre
The Bolshoi Theatre is a historic theatre in Moscow, Russia, designed by architect Joseph Bové, which holds performances of ballet and opera. The Bolshoi Ballet and Bolshoi Opera are amongst the oldest and most renowned ballet and opera companies in the world...
. In 1922, he made a harrowing escape from the Soviet Union in disguise, only to be arrested in Poland, but was released by an official who remembered hearing him perform. Once settled in New York, Berezowsky attended the Juilliard School
Juilliard School
The Juilliard School, located at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York City, United States, is a performing arts conservatory which was established in 1905...
of Music, studying under Paul Kochanski
Paul Kochanski
Paul Kochanski was a Polish violinist, composer and arranger.- Training and early career :...
and Rubin Goldmark
Rubin Goldmark
Rubin Goldmark was an American composer, pianist, and educator. Although in his time he was an often performed American nationalist composer, his works are seldom played – instead he is known as the teacher of Aaron Copland and George Gershwin...
. He was first violinist with the New York Philharmonic
New York Philharmonic
The New York Philharmonic is a symphony orchestra based in New York City in the United States. It is one of the American orchestras commonly referred to as the "Big Five"...
for the first seven years of his U.S. residence. He played in the Coolidge String Quartet from 1935-1940. He was a protege of Serge Koussevitzky
Serge Koussevitzky
Serge Koussevitzky , was a Russian-born Jewish conductor, composer and double-bassist, known for his long tenure as music director of the Boston Symphony Orchestra from 1924 to 1949.-Early career:...
, who premiered his symphonies to great acclaim.
According to a contemporary and friend, Lucile Lawrence, Berezowsky's music was very popular in his lifetime and he was at that time a better-known figure than Aaron Copland
Aaron Copland
Aaron Copland was an American composer, composition teacher, writer, and later in his career a conductor of his own and other American music. He was instrumental in forging a distinctly American style of composition, and is often referred to as "the Dean of American Composers"...
.
He married Alice Newman, a notable pianist, who later published a memoir, "Duet with Nicky" about their early years together (Lippincott). His second wife was Judith Berezowsky. He died on August 27, 1953 in New York
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
.
Among Berezowsky's works are an opera, Prince Batrak, two symphonies, concertos for harp
Harp
The harp is a multi-stringed instrument which has the plane of its strings positioned perpendicularly to the soundboard. Organologically, it is in the general category of chordophones and has its own sub category . All harps have a neck, resonator and strings...
, violin
Violin
The violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....
and 'cello, and many diverse works of chamber music. His recordings include an LP set of Mussorgsky
Modest Mussorgsky
Modest Petrovich Mussorgsky was a Russian composer, one of the group known as 'The Five'. He was an innovator of Russian music in the romantic period...
's Boris Godunov
Boris Godunov (opera)
Boris Godunov is an opera by Modest Mussorgsky . The work was composed between 1868 and 1873 in Saint Petersburg, Russia. It is Mussorgsky's only completed opera and is considered his masterpiece. Its subjects are the Russian ruler Boris Godunov, who reigned as Tsar during the Time of Troubles,...
, which he conducted. He enjoyed a great success with his children's opera Babar, and his oratorio Gilgamesh. His Concerto for Harp was commissioned by Edna Phillips, who gave the premiere with the Philadelphia Orchestra
Philadelphia Orchestra
The Philadelphia Orchestra is a symphony orchestra based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the United States. One of the "Big Five" American orchestras, it was founded in 1900...
, and performed by Carlos Salzedo
Carlos Salzedo
Carlos Salzedo , was a harpist, composer and conductor, born in Arcachon, France, who was one of the musical elite of his time.-France:...
with the National Orchestra Association under Leon Barzin
Leon Barzin
Léon Eugene Barzin was a Belgian-born American conductor and founder of the National Orchestral Association , the oldest surviving training orchestra in the United States...
with an original cadenza by Salzedo, included in the edition published by Theodore Presser. It was not performed again until performances by Saul Davis Zlatkovski in recital and with the St. Paul J.C.C. Symphony Orchestra under James Riccardo in 1990.
Works
- Christmas Festival Overture (Ukrainian Noel) (1943)
- Soldiers on the Town (1943)
- Fantasy (piano duo and orchestra)(1944)
- Sextet Concerto (1951)
- Suite No. 2 (woodwind quintet)
- Clarinet Concerto, Op. 28
- Concerto Lirico for cello and orchestra, Op. 19
- Suite Hebraique, Op. 3, orchestra
- Symphony No. 1, Op. 12
- Symphony No. 2, Op. 18
- Symphony No. 3 , Op. 21
- Symphony No. 4, Op. 29
- Toccata, Variations, and Finale, Ip. 23
- Violin Concerto, Op. 14
- Concerto for Harp and Orchestra, Op. 31
- Gilgamesh: Cantata for Narrator, Solo Voices, Mixed Chorus and Orchestra
- Introduction and Allegro, Op. 8 for Small Orchestra
- Sinfonietta, Op. 17
Sources
- New York Times obituary, published August 28, 1953
- Note from the published edition of his Brass Suite for Seven Instruments, Op. 24
External links
- Nicolai Berezowsky scores (the composer's manuscripts, including unpublished works) in the Music Division of The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts.