Alexander Afanasyevich Spendiarov (Spendiaryan) (russian: Александр Афанасьевич Спендиаров, hy, Ալեքսանդր Ստեփանոսի Սպենդիարյան, November 1, 1871,
Kakhovka
Kakhovka ( uk, Кахо́вка, ) is a port city on the Dnieper River in Kakhovka Raion, Kherson Oblast, of southern Ukraine. It hosts the administration of the Kakhovka urban hromada, one of the hromadas of Ukraine. It had a population of
It ...
,
Russian Empire
The Russian Empire was an empire and the final period of the Russian monarchy from 1721 to 1917, ruling across large parts of Eurasia. It succeeded the Tsardom of Russia following the Treaty of Nystad, which ended the Great Northern War. ...
– May 7, 1928,
Yerevan, Armenia
Yerevan ( , , hy, Երևան , sometimes spelled Erevan) is the capital and largest city of Armenia and one of the world's oldest continuously inhabited cities. Situated along the Hrazdan River, Yerevan is the administrative, cultural, and i ...
) was an Armenian and Soviet music composer, conductor, founder of Armenian national symphonic music.
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
waltz
The waltz ( ), meaning "to roll or revolve") is a ballroom and folk dance, normally in triple ( time), performed primarily in closed position.
History
There are many references to a sliding or gliding dance that would evolve into the w ...
. In 1890 he went to Moscow and studied for one year in the Natural Sciences faculty of
Moscow University, and then in 1894 he graduated from the Law faculty. At the same time he continued his violin classes. In 1896 Alexander Spendiarov went to
St. Petersburg
Saint Petersburg ( rus, links=no, Санкт-Петербург, a=Ru-Sankt Peterburg Leningrad Petrograd Piter.ogg, r=Sankt-Peterburg, p=ˈsankt pʲɪtʲɪrˈburk), formerly known as Petrograd (1914–1924) and later Leningrad (1924–1991), i ...
to show his compositions to
Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov, who greatly admired his music and encouraged him to turn deeper into his people's folklore. From 1896 to 1900 he took private composition lessons with Rimsky-Korsakov. According to
Alexander Glazunov, "Rimsky-Korsakov was perfectly satisfied with the results of Alexander Spendiarov's work and considered him a serious, talented composer with a great flair for composition".
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
Kharkov
Kharkiv ( uk, Ха́рків, ), also known as Kharkov (russian: Харькoв, ), is the second-largest city and municipality in Ukraine. ,
Odessa,
Moscow
Moscow ( , US chiefly ; rus, links=no, Москва, r=Moskva, p=mɐskˈva, a=Москва.ogg) is the capital and largest city of Russia. The city stands on the Moskva River in Central Russia, with a population estimated at 13.0 millio ...
,
Petersburg,
Doni-Rostov and New Nakhijevan. He spent much of his time in
Yalta
Yalta (: Я́лта) is a resort city on the south coast of the Crimean Peninsula surrounded by the Black Sea. It serves as the administrative center of Yalta Municipality, one of the regions within Crimea. Yalta, along with the rest of Cri ...
and
Sudak
Sudak (Ukrainian & Russian: Судак; crh, Sudaq; gr, Σουγδαία; sometimes spelled Sudac or Sudagh) is a town, multiple former Eastern Orthodox bishopric and double Latin Catholic titular see. It is of regional significance in Crimea, ...
. While he was living in Crimea, Spendiarov met
Anton Chekhov,
Maxim Gorky
Alexei Maximovich Peshkov (russian: link=no, Алексе́й Макси́мович Пешко́в; – 18 June 1936), popularly known as Maxim Gorky (russian: Макси́м Го́рький, link=no), was a Russian writer and social ...
and
Fyodor Shalyapin
Feodor Ivanovich Chaliapin ( rus, Фёдор Ива́нович Шаля́пин, Fyodor Ivanovich Shalyapin, ˈfʲɵdər ɪˈvanəvʲɪtɕ ʂɐˈlʲapʲɪn}; April 12, 1938) was a Russian opera singer. Possessing a deep and expressive bass v ...
.
Alexander Glazunov was also a guest at his house.
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
Mighty Handful
The Five ( rus, link=no, Могучая кучка, lit. ''Mighty Bunch''), also known as the Mighty Handful, The Mighty Five, and the New Russian School, were five prominent 19th-century Russian composers who worked together to create a distinct ...
. Spendiaryan toured abroad performing this piece in Berlin, Copenhagen, New York, and elsewhere.
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
Hovhannes Tumanian
Hovhannes Tumanyan ( hy, Հովհաննես Թումանյան, classical spelling: Յովհաննէս Թումանեան, – March 23, 1923) was an Armenian poet, writer, translator, and literary and public activist. He is the nationa ...
and decided to write an opera based on "The Capture of Tmkabert" poem. In 1916 the libretto of
Almast
''Almast'' ( hy, Ալմաստ meaning ''diamond'') is the only opera of the Armenian composer Alexander Spendiaryan.
History
In 1916 Spendiaryan met Armenian poet Hovhannes Tumanian, who suggested three of his poems "Anush", "Parvana" and "The S ...
opera was ready, and Spendiarov began work on the opera, and finished the opera's vocal score in 1923. He continued his work on the instrumentation right up to his death. The instrumentation of the fourth act of "Almast" was completed by composer
Maximilian Steinberg
Maximilian Osseyevich Steinberg (Russian Максимилиан Осеевич Штейнберг; – 6 December 1946) was a Russian composer of classical music.
Though once considered the hope of Russian music, Steinberg is far less well known ...
.
On 10 December 1924 Spendiarov, newly arrived in
Yerevan
Yerevan ( , , hy, Երևան , sometimes spelled Erevan) is the capital and largest city of Armenia and one of the world's oldest continuously inhabited cities. Situated along the Hrazdan River, Yerevan is the administrative, cultural, and i ...
from
Russia
Russia (, , ), or the Russian Federation, is a transcontinental country spanning Eastern Europe and Northern Asia. It is the largest country in the world, with its internationally recognised territory covering , and encompassing one-eig ...
, conducted an 18-member orchestra consisting of conservatory professors and students. This inaugural concert proved that
Armenia
Armenia (), , group=pron officially the Republic of Armenia,, is a landlocked country in the Armenian Highlands of Western Asia.The UNbr>classification of world regions places Armenia in Western Asia; the CIA World Factbook , , and ' ...
had the potential to sustain a symphony orchestra. The following year, on 20 March 1925, Professor
Arshak Adamian Arshak Adamian (1884–1956) was an Armenian conductor, composer, art critic, pedagogue. Merited Artist of the RA. He was the founding Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of Armenian Philharmonic Orchestra in 1924–1926.
Adamian studied pian ...
, Rector of the
Yerevan Conservatory, led the first concert of the then newly founded symphony orchestra. At the time, Spendiarov accurately predicted, "There will come a time, when our yet modest student orchestra will proudly bear the honorary title of the Armenian State Orchestra."
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
Avetik Sahak Isahakyan ( hy, Ավետիք Սահակ Իսահակյան; October 30, 1875 – October 17, 1957) was a prominent Armenian lyric poet, writer and public activist.
Biography
Isahakyan was born in Alexandropol in 1875. He was edu ...
about Spendiarov.
Composer
Aram Khatchaturian said of his predecessor, "I am profoundly convinced that Spendiarov and
Komitas
Soghomon Soghomonian, ordained and commonly known as Komitas, ( hy, Կոմիտաս; 22 October 1935) was an Armenian priest, musicologist, composer, arranger, singer, and choirmaster, who is considered the founder of the Armenian national sch ...
are the patriarchs of Armenian classical music; they have charted the principal trends in the evolution of Armenian musical art for many decades to come." Spendiarov and
Aram Khatchaturian met for the first time in Moscow. Spendiarov appreciated the potential in the young 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
Hovhannes Aivazovsky. They had 6 children - 4 daughters and 2 sons.
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
Martiros Saryan ( hy, Մարտիրոս Սարյան; russian: Мартиро́с Сарья́н; – 5 May 1972) was a Soviet Armenian painter, the founder of a modern Armenian national school of painting.
Biography
He was born into an Armenia ...
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
Hovhannes Tumanyan ( hy, Հովհաննես Թումանյան, classical spelling: Յովհաննէս Թումանեան, – March 23, 1923) was an Armenian poet, writer, translator, and literary and public activist. He is the nationa ...
'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
External links
The memorial museum of Alexander Spendiaryan*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Spendiaryan, Alexander
1871 births
1928 deaths
Armenian composers
Armenian opera composers
Romantic composers
Armenian conductors (music)
Russian people of Armenian descent
Male classical composers
20th-century conductors (music)
20th-century male musicians
19th-century male musicians