Alexander Glazunov

Alexander Glazunov, born in 1865, was a titan of Russian Romantic music, renowned for his symphonies, ballets, and operas that defined an era. As a student of Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov and a teacher to the likes of Dmitri Shostakovich, Glazunov's influence on Russian music is immeasurable. His tenure as director of the Saint Petersburg Conservatory spanned nearly three decades, during which he reshaped the institution through tumultuous times, including the Bolshevik Revolution. Glazunov's compositions, marked by their conservative and classic style, were celebrated both in Russia and abroad, earning him the title of Russia's greatest living composer during his prime. His extensive body of work includes masterpieces such as the Saxophone Concerto in E flat major and the Theme and Variations, Op. 72, which continue to captivate audiences today.