Felix Blumenfeld

Felix Mikhailovich Blumenfeld, (born 17/19 April 1863, Kovalevka, - died 21 January 1931 in Moscow) was a Russian composer, conductor and pianist.

Related Topics:
17 - 19 April - 1863 - Kovalevka - 21 January - 1931 - Moscow - Russian - Composer - Conductor - Pianist

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He studied composition at the St. Petersburg Conservatory under Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov and piano under Alexander Stein between 1881 and 1885. He then taught piano there himself from 1885 until 1918, whilst also serving as conductor of the Marinski theatre until 1911.

Related Topics:
St. Petersburg Conservatory - Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov - Alexander Stein - 1881 - 1885 - 1918 - Marinski theatre - 1911

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This theatre saw the premieres of the operas composed by his teacher and mentor Rimsky-Korsakov, and he was also the conductor at the premier of Wagner's opera Tristan and Isolde.

Related Topics:
Mentor - Wagner - Opera - Tristan and Isolde

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From 1918 to 1922, he was the director of the conservatory of Kiev, where, amongst others, Vladimir Horowitz was a pupil in his masterclasses. He returned to the Moscow Conservatory in 1922, teaching there until his death.

Related Topics:
1922 - Conservatory - Kiev - Vladimir Horowitz - Moscow Conservatory

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As a pianist, he played many of the compositions of his Russian contemporaries. His compositions, which showed the influence of Frédéric Chopin and Peter Tchaikovsky, include a symphony, pieces for piano and lieder. His virtuous pieces for piano in particular are enjoying something of a renaissance in recent years.

Related Topics:
Frédéric Chopin - Peter Tchaikovsky - Symphony - Lieder

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