Arthur Lourié

Arthur Lourié, born Arthur Vincent Lourié in 1892 into a Jewish family in Propoysk (now Slawharad, Belarus), was a pioneering avant-garde composer whose career spanned pre-war Russia, the early Soviet Union, and interwar Paris. Self-taught and initially influenced by Debussian Impressionism, Lourié evolved into a prolific composer, creating over a hundred pieces that encompassed solo piano compositions, art songs, chamber works, and grand orchestral music. He played a pivotal role in the early organization of Soviet music post-1917 Revolution before eventually going into exile. Lourié's work is a testament to his remarkable journey and enduring influence on 20th-century music.