Alexander Glazounov 1865 – 1936

Biography

A titan of Russian classical music, Alexander Glazounov commanded the concert hall as composer, conductor, and mentor during one of the most thrilling periods in musical history. Born in Saint Petersburg in 1865, he became the rare artist who shaped Russian musical culture through sheer creative force—his ballets, symphonies, and concertos captivated audiences while his sharp ear for talent shaped an entire generation of composers. Glazounov embodied the golden age of Russian music, a figure equally comfortable at the conductor’s podium or the writing desk.

His career spanned continents and decades of seismic change. While empires crumbled and art movements exploded around him, Glazounov remained a steadying force in the musical world, nurturing young composers and maintaining exacting standards through teaching and performance. He migrated to Paris in his final years, bringing Russian musical sophistication to European stages until his death in 1936. Laid to rest at Tikhvin Cemetery back in Saint Petersburg, Glazounov’s seven-decade artistic legacy—forged in the city where it all began—remains a cornerstone of classical music.