Vadim Salmanov
Encyclopedia
The composer Vadim Nikolayevich Salmanov (born in Saint Petersburg
on 4 November 1912, died in Leningrad on 27 February 1978) is perhaps best known for his Symphony No. 2.
His father taught him piano as a child, and at 18 young Salmanov was all set to go to the Leningrad Conservatory when he instead decided to study geology
, working as a geologist until 1935, when he at last went to the Leningrad Conservatory, where he studied composition with Mikhail Gnesin
. After graduating, he worked as a composer until the onset of World War II
, when he enlisted in the Army. After the war, he set poems by Blok and Yesenin relating to the war. Later on in his life, Salmanov set poems by García Lorca and Pablo Neruda
, as well as Soviet poets.
His Symphony No. 1 in D minor was written in 1952, it uses Slav folk melodies and a motto theme heard at the beginning of the first movement recurs in the Finale. All his Symphonies were recorded by Evgeny Mravinsky
, and the 1976 Symphony No. 4 was, like the first, dedicated to Mravinsky.
Although not nearly as political as Tikhon Khrennikov
, Salmanov held various political appointments, including Secretary of a Composers' Union. He also taught at the Leningrad Conservatory.
His compositions also include six string quartet
s (1945-71) and two violin concerto
s (1964, 1974), among other music.
Saint Petersburg
Saint Petersburg is a city and a federal subject of Russia located on the Neva River at the head of the Gulf of Finland on the Baltic Sea...
on 4 November 1912, died in Leningrad on 27 February 1978) is perhaps best known for his Symphony No. 2.
His father taught him piano as a child, and at 18 young Salmanov was all set to go to the Leningrad Conservatory when he instead decided to study geology
Geology
Geology is the science comprising the study of solid Earth, the rocks of which it is composed, and the processes by which it evolves. Geology gives insight into the history of the Earth, as it provides the primary evidence for plate tectonics, the evolutionary history of life, and past climates...
, working as a geologist until 1935, when he at last went to the Leningrad Conservatory, where he studied composition with Mikhail Gnesin
Mikhail Gnesin
Mikhail Fabianovich Gnesin was a Russian Jewish composer and teacher.-Life:Gnesin was born in Rostov-on-Don and came from a musical family. His sisters founded the Gnessin State Musical College , in Moscow in 1895. He studied at the St...
. After graduating, he worked as a composer until the onset of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, when he enlisted in the Army. After the war, he set poems by Blok and Yesenin relating to the war. Later on in his life, Salmanov set poems by García Lorca and Pablo Neruda
Pablo Neruda
Pablo Neruda was the pen name and, later, legal name of the Chilean poet, diplomat and politician Neftalí Ricardo Reyes Basoalto. He chose his pen name after Czech poet Jan Neruda....
, as well as Soviet poets.
His Symphony No. 1 in D minor was written in 1952, it uses Slav folk melodies and a motto theme heard at the beginning of the first movement recurs in the Finale. All his Symphonies were recorded by Evgeny Mravinsky
Evgeny Mravinsky
Yevgeny Aleksandrovich Mravinsky was a Russian/Soviet conductor.-Life and career:Mravinsky was born in Saint Petersburg. The soprano Yevgeniya Mravina was his aunt. His father died in 1918, and in that same year, he began to work backstage at the Mariinsky Theatre. He first studied biology at...
, and the 1976 Symphony No. 4 was, like the first, dedicated to Mravinsky.
Although not nearly as political as Tikhon Khrennikov
Tikhon Khrennikov
Tikhon Nikolayevich Khrennikov was a Russian and Soviet composer, pianist, leader of the Union of Soviet Composers, who was also known for his political activities...
, Salmanov held various political appointments, including Secretary of a Composers' Union. He also taught at the Leningrad Conservatory.
His compositions also include six 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 (1945-71) and two violin concerto
Violin concerto
A violin concerto is a concerto for solo violin and instrumental ensemble, customarily orchestra. Such works have been written since the Baroque period, when the solo concerto form was first developed, up through the present day...
s (1964, 1974), among other music.