Otar Taktakishvili
Encyclopedia
Otar Taktakishvili was a Georgian
composer
, teacher
, conductor
, and writer
of music.
Otar Taktakishvili graduated from the Tbilisi State Conservatory
, while still been a student he composed the official anthem of the Georgian SSR
. By 1949 he became a Professor of the Tbilisi Conservatory and the conductor and the artistic director of the Georgian State chorus. In 1951 he received his first Stalin Prize (USSR State Prize) for his First Symphony
. In 1962, Taktakishvili became Chairman of the Georgian Composers' Union; and in 1965 the Minister for Culture of the Georgian Republic.
He was awarded the title of People's Artist of the USSR
in 1974, the Lenin Prize
in 1982, and the USSR State Prize
in 1951, 1952 and 1967.
Taktakishvili's works include operas, two symphonies, four piano concertos, two violin concerto
s and two cello concertos, the symphonic poem Mtsyri and the oratorio
s In the Steps of Rustaveli
and Nikoloz Baratashvili
. Probably his best known work in the West is his sonata
for flute
and piano.
Georgia (country)
Georgia is a sovereign state in the Caucasus region of Eurasia. Located at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe, it is bounded to the west by the Black Sea, to the north by Russia, to the southwest by Turkey, to the south by Armenia, and to the southeast by Azerbaijan. The capital of...
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...
, teacher
Teacher
A teacher or schoolteacher is a person who provides education for pupils and students . The role of teacher is often formal and ongoing, carried out at a school or other place of formal education. In many countries, a person who wishes to become a teacher must first obtain specified professional...
, conductor
Conducting
Conducting is the art of directing a musical performance by way of visible gestures. The primary duties of the conductor are to unify performers, set the tempo, execute clear preparations and beats, and to listen critically and shape the sound of the ensemble...
, and writer
Writer
A writer is a person who produces literature, such as novels, short stories, plays, screenplays, poetry, or other literary art. Skilled writers are able to use language to portray ideas and images....
of music.
Otar Taktakishvili graduated from the Tbilisi State Conservatory
Tbilisi State Conservatory
Tbilisi State Conservatoire is the State Conservatoire of Georgia, located in the capital Tbilisi.-History:The Tbilisi Conservatoire was founded on 1 May 1917. It was formally recognised by the Russian Musical Society as a conservatoire later that year. A rival conservatoire was also founded in...
, while still been a student he composed the official anthem of the Georgian SSR
Anthem of Georgian SSR
The State Anthem of the Georgian SSR was the national anthem of Georgia when it was a republic of the Soviet Union and known as the Georgian SSR.-Background:...
. By 1949 he became a Professor of the Tbilisi Conservatory and the conductor and the artistic director of the Georgian State chorus. In 1951 he received his first Stalin Prize (USSR State Prize) for his First Symphony
Symphony
A 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...
. In 1962, Taktakishvili became Chairman of the Georgian Composers' Union; and in 1965 the Minister for Culture of the Georgian Republic.
He was awarded the title of People's Artist of the USSR
People's Artist of the USSR
People's Artist of the USSR, also sometimes translated as National Artist of the USSR, was an honorary title granted to citizens of the Soviet Union.- Nomenclature and significance :...
in 1974, the Lenin Prize
Lenin Prize
The Lenin Prize was one of the most prestigious awards of the USSR, presented to individuals for accomplishments relating to science, literature, arts, architecture, and technology. It was created on June 23, 1925 and was awarded until 1934. During the period from 1935 to 1956, the Lenin Prize was...
in 1982, and the USSR State Prize
USSR State Prize
The USSR State Prize was the Soviet Union's state honour. It was established on September 9, 1966. After the breakup of the Soviet Union, the prize was followed up by the State Prize of the Russian Federation....
in 1951, 1952 and 1967.
Taktakishvili's works include operas, two symphonies, four piano concertos, 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 and two cello concertos, the symphonic poem Mtsyri and the oratorio
Oratorio
An oratorio is a large musical composition including an orchestra, a choir, and soloists. Like an opera, an oratorio includes the use of a choir, soloists, an ensemble, various distinguishable characters, and arias...
s In the Steps of Rustaveli
Rustaveli
Rustaveli may refer to:* Shota Rustaveli , a Georgian poet* Rustaveli Avenue in Tbilisi, Georgia named after the poet* Rustaveli Theatre, a drama theatre in Tbilisi named after the poet...
and Nikoloz Baratashvili
Nikoloz Baratashvili
Nik'oloz Baratashvili was a Georgian poet, one of the first Georgians to marry a modern nationalism with European Romanticism and to introduce "Europeanism" into Georgian literature...
. Probably his best known work in the West is his sonata
Sonata
Sonata , in music, literally means a piece played as opposed to a cantata , a piece sung. The term, being vague, naturally evolved through the history of music, designating a variety of forms prior to the Classical era...
for flute
Flute
The flute is a musical instrument of the woodwind family. Unlike woodwind instruments with reeds, a flute is an aerophone or reedless wind instrument that produces its sound from the flow of air across an opening...
and piano.