Soloviev, Nikolai (Feopemptovich)

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Soloviev, Nikolai (Feopemptovich)

Soloviev, Nikolai (Feopemptovich), Russian music critic, teacher, and composer; b. Petrozavodsk, May 9, 1846; d. Petrograd, Dec. 27, 1916. After completing his studies in composition at the St. Petersburg Cons. (1868–72), he joined its faculty as a teacher of theory (1874–85) and a prof. of composition (1885–1909); also was active as a music critic (from 1870), acquiring a reputation as a determined opponent of the contemporary scene and being highly critical of Tchaikovsky and the national school of composers. He composed the operas Vakula the Smith (1875; concert perf., St. Petersberg, 1880), Cordelia (St. Petersburg, Nov. 24, 1885; rev. as Vengeance, 1898), and The House at Kolomna (n.d.). He also orchestrated Act 5 and part of Act 1 of Serov’s opera The Evil Power. Other works include Russia and the Mongols, symphonic picture (1870), Ey, ukhnem, orch. fantasy (1882), Samson, cantata (1870), and other cantatas, choral pieces, chamber music, piano pieces, and songs.

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire

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