Vladimir Bakaleinikov
Encyclopedia
Vladimir Romanovich Bakaleinikov, also Bakaleynikov and Bakaleinikoff ' onMouseout='HidePop("41429")' href="/topics/Moscow">Moscow
– 5 November 1953 in Pittsburgh) was a Russian
-American violist
, music educator, conductor
and composer
.
Bakaleinikov, the son of a noted clarinet
ist, was from a large musical family who lived in poverty. His elder brother was flautist
, composer and conductor Nikolai Bakaleinikov (1881–1957), his younger brothers, both composers, were Mikhail (Mischa) Bakaleinikoff
(1890–1960) and Constantin Bakaleinikoff
(1898–1966).
Bakaleinikov entered the Moscow Conservatory
at the age of nine, studying with Jan Hřímalý
. After his graduation in 1907, he quickly gained a reputation as a gifted violist and chamber musician playing with the Russian Musical Society
in Moscow, the Mecklenburg Quartet (1910–1920) of Saint Petersburg
, and later with the Stradivari Quartet (1920–1924) in Moscow. He was conductor of the Theatre of Musical Drama (Театр музыкальной драмы) in Saint Petersburg (1914–1916), and at the Music Studio of the Moscow Art Theatre
(1920–1926). Simultaneously, Bakaleinikov was Professor of Viola at the Saint Petersburg Conservatory
(1918–1920) and at the Moscow Conservatory (1920–1924). As Professor of Viola, Bakaleinikov was a pioneer in promoting artistic standards for the instrument. Among his students were, in particular, Vadim Borisovsky
who succeeded him as Professor of Viola at the Conservatory.
In 1925–1926, Bakaleinikov, together with his wife, singer and actress Julia Fatova (Юлия Фатова; Yulia Fatova), went to the United States with the Moscow Art Theater Music Studio on a highly successful tour. At the invitation of the conductor Fritz Reiner
, Bakaleinikov was appointed assistant conductor and principal violist of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra
(1927–1937). In 1937, following the lead of his two younger brothers, he moved to Hollywood to work in film. He was also associate conductor of the Los Angeles Philharmonic
. During this time, Bakaleinikov began conducting lessons with seven-year-old Lorin Maazel
. In 1938, Bakaleinikov again accepted an invitation from Reiner to be his assistant, then principal conductor with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra
. The Maazel family followed Bakaleinikov to Pittsburgh so that the young conductor could continue working with his teacher. Between Reiner's departure from Pittsburgh in 1948 and the arrival of his successor William Steinberg
in 1952, Bakaleinikov served as musical director of the Orchestra. Affectionately known as "Bak," he possessed a delightful sense of humor and loved to tell stories.
Bakaleinikov wrote Elementary Rules of Conducting for Orchestra, Band and Chorus (1938), a memoir Записки музыканта (Notes of a Musician) (1943), and composed a concerto for viola
as well as chamber works
.
Bakaleinikov was awarded the honorary title of Honored Artist of the RSFSR
in 1924.
Literary
Moscow
Moscow is the capital, the most populous city, and the most populous federal subject of Russia. The city is a major political, economic, cultural, scientific, religious, financial, educational, and transportation centre of Russia and the continent...
– 5 November 1953 in Pittsburgh) was a Russian
Russians
The Russian people are an East Slavic ethnic group native to Russia, speaking the Russian language and primarily living in Russia and neighboring countries....
-American violist
Viola
The viola is a bowed string instrument. It is the middle voice of the violin family, between the violin and the cello.- Form :The viola is similar in material and construction to the violin. A full-size viola's body is between and longer than the body of a full-size violin , with an average...
, music educator, 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 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...
.
Bakaleinikov, the son of a noted clarinet
Clarinet
The clarinet is a musical instrument of woodwind type. The name derives from adding the suffix -et to the Italian word clarino , as the first clarinets had a strident tone similar to that of a trumpet. The instrument has an approximately cylindrical bore, and uses a single reed...
ist, was from a large musical family who lived in poverty. His elder brother was flautist
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...
, composer and conductor Nikolai Bakaleinikov (1881–1957), his younger brothers, both composers, were Mikhail (Mischa) Bakaleinikoff
Mischa Bakaleinikoff
Mikhail Romanovich Bakaleinikov or Mischa Bakaleinikoff was a noted musical director, film composer and conductor.-Personal life:Brother to Constantin, Nikolay and Vladimir, Bakaleinikoff was born in Moscow in 1890. He left Russia for the United States in 1926, and joined Columbia Studios's music...
(1890–1960) and Constantin Bakaleinikoff
Constantin Bakaleinikoff
Constantin Romanovich Bakaleinikov, or Bakaleinikoff was a Russian-born composer.Bakaleinikoff was from a large musical family. His brothers were Nikolai Bakaleinikov , Vladimir Bakaleinikov , and Mikhail Bakaleinikoff . He studied at the Moscow Conservatory...
(1898–1966).
- "My father earned very little. We children helped him by playing at weddings, in restaurants, giving lessons, and later concertizing. We did not refuse any type of work. It was shameful not to be working, seeing as our mother did all of the washing, cooking, sewing, and waited on us all."
-
- — Vladimir Bakaleinikov: Notes of a Musician
-
- «Мой отец зарабатывал очень мало. Мы, дети, помогали ему зарабатывать игрой на свадьбах, в ресторанах, давая уроки, впоследствии концертируя. Никакими видами труда мы, дети, не гнушались. Стыдно было не работать, видя, как наша мать на всех стирала, на всех готовила, всех обшивала и всем прислуживала.»
-
- — Владимир Бакалейников: Записки Музыканта
-
Bakaleinikov entered the Moscow Conservatory
Moscow Conservatory
The Moscow Conservatory is a higher musical education institution in Moscow, and the second oldest conservatory in Russia after St. Petersburg Conservatory. Along with the St...
at the age of nine, studying with Jan Hřímalý
Jan Hřímalý
Jan Hřímalý Jan Hřímalý Jan Hřímalý (also seen as Ivan Voitsekhovich Grzhimali (Иван Войцехович Гржимали (13 April 1844 – 11/24 January 1915) was an influential Czech violinist and teacher, who was associated with the Moscow Conservatory for 46 years 1869-1915....
. After his graduation in 1907, he quickly gained a reputation as a gifted violist and chamber musician playing with the Russian Musical Society
Russian Musical Society
The Russian Musical Society was an organisation founded in 1859 by the Grand Duchess Elena Pavlovna and her protégé, pianist and composer Anton Rubinstein, with the intent of raising the standard of music in the country and disseminating musical education.Rubinstein and the Grand Duchess's...
in Moscow, the Mecklenburg Quartet (1910–1920) of Saint Petersburg
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...
, and later with the Stradivari Quartet (1920–1924) in Moscow. He was conductor of the Theatre of Musical Drama (Театр музыкальной драмы) in Saint Petersburg (1914–1916), and at the Music Studio of the Moscow Art Theatre
Moscow Art Theatre
The Moscow Art Theatre is a theatre company in Moscow that the seminal Russian theatre practitioner Constantin Stanislavski, together with the playwright and director Vladimir Nemirovich-Danchenko, founded in 1898. It was conceived as a venue for naturalistic theatre, in contrast to the melodramas...
(1920–1926). Simultaneously, Bakaleinikov was Professor of Viola at the Saint Petersburg Conservatory
Saint Petersburg Conservatory
The N. A. Rimsky-Korsakov Saint Petersburg State Conservatory is a music school in Saint Petersburg. In 2004, the conservatory had around 275 faculty members and 1,400 students.-History:...
(1918–1920) and at the Moscow Conservatory (1920–1924). As Professor of Viola, Bakaleinikov was a pioneer in promoting artistic standards for the instrument. Among his students were, in particular, Vadim Borisovsky
Vadim Borisovsky
Vadim Vasilyevich Borisovsky was a Russian violist.Born in Moscow, Borisovsky entered Moscow Conservatory in 1917 studying the violin with Mikhail Press. A year later, on the advice of violist Vladimir Bakaleinikov, Borisovsky turned his attentions to the viola. He studied with Bakaleinikov and...
who succeeded him as Professor of Viola at the Conservatory.
In 1925–1926, Bakaleinikov, together with his wife, singer and actress Julia Fatova (Юлия Фатова; Yulia Fatova), went to the United States with the Moscow Art Theater Music Studio on a highly successful tour. At the invitation of the conductor Fritz Reiner
Fritz Reiner
Frederick Martin “Fritz” Reiner was a prominent conductor of opera and symphonic music in the twentieth century.-Biography:...
, Bakaleinikov was appointed assistant conductor and principal violist of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra
Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra
As the fifth oldest orchestra in the United States, the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra has a legacy of fine music making as reflected in its performances in historic Music Hall, recordings, and international tours...
(1927–1937). In 1937, following the lead of his two younger brothers, he moved to Hollywood to work in film. He was also associate conductor of the Los Angeles Philharmonic
Los Angeles Philharmonic
The Los Angeles Philharmonic is an American orchestra based in Los Angeles, California, United States. It has a regular season of concerts from October through June at the Walt Disney Concert Hall, and a summer season at the Hollywood Bowl from July through September...
. During this time, Bakaleinikov began conducting lessons with seven-year-old Lorin Maazel
Lorin Maazel
Lorin Varencove Maazel is an American conductor, violinist and composer.- Early life :Maazel was born to Jewish-American parents in Neuilly-sur-Seine in France and brought up in the United States, primarily at his parents' home in Pittsburgh's Oakland neighborhood. His father, Lincoln Maazel , was...
. In 1938, Bakaleinikov again accepted an invitation from Reiner to be his assistant, then principal conductor with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra
Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra
The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra is an American orchestra based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The orchestra's home is Heinz Hall, located in Pittsburgh's Cultural District.-History:...
. The Maazel family followed Bakaleinikov to Pittsburgh so that the young conductor could continue working with his teacher. Between Reiner's departure from Pittsburgh in 1948 and the arrival of his successor William Steinberg
William Steinberg
William Steinberg was a German-American conductor.- Biography :Steinberg was born Hans Wilhelm Steinberg in Cologne, Germany. He displayed early talent as a violinist, pianist, and composer, conducting his own choral/ orchestral composition at age 13...
in 1952, Bakaleinikov served as musical director of the Orchestra. Affectionately known as "Bak," he possessed a delightful sense of humor and loved to tell stories.
Bakaleinikov wrote Elementary Rules of Conducting for Orchestra, Band and Chorus (1938), a memoir Записки музыканта (Notes of a Musician) (1943), and composed a concerto for viola
Viola concerto
The viola concerto is a concerto contrasting a viola with another body of musical instruments, usually an orchestra or chamber music ensemble. Early examples of the viola concerto include, among others, Georg Philipp Telemann's concerto in G major, and several concertos by the Stamitz clan...
as well as chamber works
Chamber music
Chamber music is a form of classical music, written for a small group of instruments which traditionally could be accommodated in a palace chamber. Most broadly, it includes any art music that is performed by a small number of performers with one performer to a part...
.
Bakaleinikov was awarded the honorary title of Honored Artist of the RSFSR
Meritorious Artist
Meritorious Artist , also translated as Merited Artist, Deserved Artist or Distinguished Artist or Honorary Artist or Honorable Actor) is an honorary title in the Soviet Union, Russian Federation, Union republics, and Autonomous republics, also in some other Eastern bloc states, as well as in a...
in 1924.
Selected works
- Aria for viola and piano (1935)
- Concerto for viola and orchestra (1937)
- Gavotte for viola and piano (1937)
- Minuetto for viola and piano (1937)
- Scales and Studies for the Viola (1938)
- Allegro moderato for double bass and piano (1939)
- Canzona for horn and piano (1939)
- Cavatina for horn and piano (1939)
- A Danse [sic] for oboe and piano (1939)
- Elegy for oboe and piano (1939)
- Introduction and Scherzo for woodwind quintet (1939)
- Largo for double bass and piano (1939)
- Pastorale for oboe and piano (1939)
- Three Pieces for bassoon and piano (1939)
-
- A Ballad
- Humoresque
- March eccentric
- Valse: Allegro grazioso for double bass and piano (1939)
- Polonaise for cornetCornetThe cornet is a brass instrument very similar to the trumpet, distinguished by its conical bore, compact shape, and mellower tone quality. The most common cornet is a transposing instrument in B. It is not related to the renaissance and early baroque cornett or cornetto.-History:The cornet was...
(or B trumpet) and piano (1940) - Legend for cornet (or B trumpet) and piano (1952)
- Serenade for cornet (or B trumpet) and piano (1952)
- Andantino cantabile for trombone or baritoneBaritone hornThe baritone horn is a member of the brass instrument family. The baritone horn has a predominantly cylindrical bore as do the trumpet and trombone. A baritone horn uses a large mouthpiece much like those of a trombone or euphonium, although it is a bit smaller. Some baritone mouthpieces will sink...
and piano (1953) - Meditation for trombone or baritone and piano (1953)
- Valse triste for trombone or baritone and piano (1953)
- Symphonie miniature (1954?)
Literary
- Elementary Rules of Conducting, for Orchestra, Band and Chorus (Основные правила дирижирования оркестром, духовым оркестром и хором) (1938)
- The Instruments of the Band and Orchestra: An Encyclopedia, co-authored with Milton Rosen (1940)
- Записки музыканта (Zapiski muzykanta; Notes of a Musician) (1943)
Discography
- Fritz Reiner Conducts Richard StraussRichard StraussRichard Georg Strauss was a leading German composer of the late Romantic and early modern eras. He is known for his operas, which include Der Rosenkavalier and Salome; his Lieder, especially his Four Last Songs; and his tone poems and orchestral works, such as Death and Transfiguration, Till...
– Don QuixoteDon Quixote (Strauss)Don Quixote, Op. 35, is a composition by Richard Strauss for cello, viola and large orchestra. Subtitled Phantastische Variationen über ein Thema ritterlichen Charakters , the work is based on the novel Don Quixote de la Mancha by Miguel de Cervantes. Strauss composed this work in Munich in 1897...
; Vladimir Bakaleinikov (viola); Gregor PiatigorskyGregor PiatigorskyGregor Piatigorsky was a Russian-born American cellist.-Early life:...
(cello); Fritz ReinerFritz ReinerFrederick Martin “Fritz” Reiner was a prominent conductor of opera and symphonic music in the twentieth century.-Biography:...
(conductor); Pittsburgh Symphony OrchestraPittsburgh Symphony OrchestraThe Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra is an American orchestra based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The orchestra's home is Heinz Hall, located in Pittsburgh's Cultural District.-History:...
; Biddulph BID 83067 (2000)