Reinhold Gliere

A man with a kind heart and a poetic soul, as his contemporaries called Reinhold Moritsevich Gliere, a remarkable Soviet composer who devoted his entire life to the art of music. The outstanding maestro was sincerely convinced that love and beauty would transform our world, make it much better and kinder. He considered the melody to be the main thing in his compositions, which should come only from the heart, therefore the works of Gliere are distinguished by their extraordinary penetratingness and touching lyricism. Gliere never liked to talk about his work, but the works that glorified the great musician all over the world became the confession of his whole life, and besides this, his special merit lies in the fact that the composer laid the foundations of the Soviet ballet.

Read a brief biography of  Reinhold Gliere and many interesting facts about the composer on our page.

Brief biography of Glier

In Kiev, on Basseinaya Street, located in the area of ????the famous Bessarabka, in the family of a German citizen who moved to Ukraine from the Saxon Klingenthal, Moritz Glier, on January 11 (according to the new style), 1875, a boy was born. Loving parents gave him a beautiful name - Reingold, although at baptism the baby was named Ernest.

The head of the family was a hereditary musical master who made brass wind instruments. He maintained his small workshop, which he proudly called "factory". The mother of the future composer, Jozef Korczak, who came from a noble Polish family, was a very educated woman and paid a lot of attention to the upbringing and education of children, who, in addition to Goldichka, had three more: two sons, Moritz and Karl, and daughter Cecilia.

From early childhood, the father aimed his sons at continuing the family profession, but the little Reingold was more interested not in making instruments, but in the music that was performed on them. The parents were categorically against such a hobby for their son and in every possible way prevented it, since a good master was needed for the prosperity of the family business, and not a performing musician. In such difficult conditions of misunderstanding, the character of the future composer was formed: the boy was closed, he did not allow anyone to his problems, but at the same time he constantly strove for self-affirmation and self-realization. Gliere later wrote that from childhood he always tried to be perfectly good. Despite all the prohibitions, Reingold stubbornly walked towards his dream. At the age of ten, when the boy was assigned to the gymnasium, he secretly from his parents picked up the violin for the first time and found himself teachers who, for a meager fee, and sometimes even for nothing, helped him master the instrument. Gliere's first music teachers were: an old amateur violinist, and then a student at a music school.

As a result of hard work, but again against the will of his parents, the young musician in 1891 becomes a student at a music school and falls into the class of a wonderful teacher - the Czech violinist O. Shevchik. And in the following year, 1982, a significant event took place in the life of Reinhold: P.I. Tchaikovsky . The performances of the outstanding composer were organized by the Russian Musical Society, which was in charge of the music school. Young Gliere, among several students, was lucky enough to get a free ticket to the concert of the brilliant maestro. Met by the audience with a storm of applause " Overture of 1812”, which was conducted by the great Tchaikovsky himself, as well as a fleeting meeting with the composer, left the young musician with unforgettable vivid impressions for life, which predetermined his future fate. Reingold had a dream of becoming a composer, and he irresistibly headed towards it.

Gliere began to study composition a lot, attending musical concerts, opera and balletperformances. In addition, the young man understood: in order to solve the problem he had set, it was necessary to be a highly educated person, so he enthusiastically read classical literature and diligently studied French (his parents taught him German and Polish). The desire to quickly realize his plans prompted the young man, despite the protests of his relatives, after the third year of school in 1894, to go and try to enter the Moscow Conservatory. However, the young musician did not fail: having impressed the selection committee with his performance on the violin, he was enrolled in an educational institution to the young teacher N. Sokolovsky, and was subsequently transferred to the class of I. Grzhimali. Theoretical subjects Reinhold studied with G.E. Konyus and A.S. Arensky, and since 1895 he studied polyphony with S.I. Taneyev, with whom he dreamed of studying from the first day of entering the conservatory. Glier comprehended the composition under the guidance of M.M. Ippolitov-Ivanov, and studied the history of spiritual singing in the class of S.V. Smolensky.

During the years of study, Reingold, in addition to the program, continued to actively engage in self-education. He carefully studied not only musical, but also literary classics, and was also fond of philosophy, psychology and history. Of great importance for the formation of Gliere as a composer at that time was a visit to the creative evenings of Moscow musicians, which usually took place at A. Goldenweiser. At such meetings, the soul of which was S.I. Taneyev and A. S. Arensky, Reingold closely communicated with such interesting people as A. Scriabin , S. Rachmaninov , A. Sulerzhitsky, M. Slonov, K. Saraje, I. Sats and Yu. Sakhnovsky.

In 1897, the composer's life was marked by another important event: on May 11, he officially became a subject of the Russian state.

The years of study at the conservatory, which Gliere graduated with a gold medal in 1900, he always remembered with warmth, but this period of the composer's life was more than once overshadowed by the death of people dear to him. First, Gliere's grandfather died, then in 1896 the composer's father passed away, and in 1899 his older sister Cecilia died under tragic circumstances.

The beginning of creative activity

After graduation, the composer spent several months in St. Petersburg, where he took part in meetings of the famous Belyaevsky circle, headed by N.A. Rimsky-Korsakov . A. Borodin was a regular visitor to "Belyaev Fridays", C. Cui, V. Stasov, F. Blumenfeld, S. Blumenfeld, A. Glazunov, A. Lyadov. Upon returning to Moscow, in 1901, the Gnesins sisters invited Gliere to work as a teacher of theoretical disciplines at their private music school. Thus began not only a long cooperation, but also a strong friendship between the composer and the founders of the Musical Pedagogical Institute, and now the Russian Academy of Music. In the same educational institution, Reingold found his destiny: he met a charming girl, Maria Rehnquist, who at first was his student, and then in 1904 became his wife.

A year later, Maria gave the composer two cute twins - Nina and Leah, and then three more children: Roman, Leonid and daughter Valentina. According to Gliere's biography, in the winter of 1905 the composer moved to Germany with his family, where he lived for several years. There he continued to work actively, composing various works, including piano pieces for children at the request of E.F. Gnesina, who immediately sent to Moscow. In addition, news constantly came to Russia about the successful performance of Gliere's works, not only in Germany, but also in America. In addition to intensive studies as a composer, Reinhold studied conducting with O. Fried in Berlin for two years.

The next life period can be characterized as the time of the composer's creative rise. Returning to his homeland, Gliere made his debut as a conductor in Kyiv in July 1909, and in February of the following year he consolidated his success with the performance of his 2nd symphony in the collection of the Imperial Russian Musical Society. His romances were included in the repertoire of eminent singers, chamber compositions were performed in concert halls and at prestigious meetings of the musical community. The well-known music publishing house "Jurgenson" printed all the works of the composer coming out from under his pen.

In 1912, the triumphant premiere performance of Gliere's third symphony, Ilya Muromets, took place, and some time later, for a poem for the Sirens symphony orchestra, he received his second music prize. M.I. Glinka. The following year, 1913, the composer responded with pleasure to the offer to take the position of professor of theoretical disciplines and composition at the newly formed conservatory in Kyiv, where after a year at the general meeting he was elected director.

Return to Moscow

Gliere returned to Moscow only in 1920 and immediately began to actively teach. He served as a professor in the composition class at the Moscow Conservatory, as well as a teacher of theoretical disciplines at the Gnessin Sisters School and the 3rd State Musical College. In addition, he energetically joined the process of forming Soviet musical culture, heading the music section of the Moscow Department of Public Education, and becoming an employee of the music department of the People's Commissariat for Education. At the same time, Gliere was proactively engaged in multifaceted educational activities, arranging concerts in various organizations, and becoming a member of the ethnographic section of Proletkult, for several years he was engaged in choral work with students at the Communist University of the Working People of the East.

From the biography of Gliere we learn that in 1923, at the invitation of the government of the AzSSR, he visited Baku to get to know the work of the Azerbaijani people better. The result of such a creative expedition was the opera "Shahsenem", the music of which was based on the folklore melodic material of Azerbaijan. In 1924, Gliere was elected chairman of the Moscow Society of Dramatic Writers and Composers, and in 1938 he again became the highest official, but already in the Union of Soviet Composers. At the same time, Glier was actively engaged in creative activity during this period.

He toured various cities of the Soviet Union, performing with author's works in workers' and collective farm clubs, engaged in composing, and also wrote various articles. In 1941, Reinhold Gliere was awarded the degree of Doctor of Arts. Further in the life of the composer, as for all citizens of the Soviet country, the war years of the most difficult trials began, nevertheless, Gliere continued to work hard. In this gloomy period of life, one masterpiece after another comes out from under his pen. What is worth only "Concerto for coloratura soprano and orchestra" - a work filled with extraordinary sincerity, penetration and sincerity. After the war, Gliere's lifestyle did not actually change: he also composed and gave concerts a lot. The last performance of the composer took place in the city House of Teachers on May 30, 1956,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interesting facts about Reinhold Gliere

• Glier studied at the conservatory with such zeal and zeal that he received the joking nickname "gray-haired old man" from fellow students. Even his favorite teacher S.I. Taneyev, marveling at his diligence, called him by this amusing name.
• Reingold Moritsevich was not only a talented composer, but also a wonderful teacher. He brought up many outstanding musicians who left a significant mark on musical culture. Among the first students of Gliere, with whom he studied at the beginning of his teaching career, were Sergei Prokofiev  and Nikolai Myaskovsky. The composer's students at the Kiev Conservatory were L. Revutsky, B. Lyatoshinsky, and M. Frolov, and while working at the Moscow Conservatory he was a favorite teacher of A. Davidenko, A. Novikov, N. Rakov, L. Knipper, I. Sposobina, L. Polovinkin, A. Khachaturian , B. Khaikin, B. Alexandrov, N. Ivanov-Radkevich, Z. Kompaneets, G. Litinsky, A. Mosolov, N. Polovinkin, N. Rechmensky.
• The work of Gliere in Kyiv as the rector of the conservatory fell on the era of revolutionary upheavals. At that time, the power in the city changed more than fifteen times. Five times he was arrested and sentenced to death for collaborating with a previous hostile regime. Gliere's fault was only that he arranged concert performances of students, despite the frequent change of governments, and representatives of any authority loved to attend such events. But under any dictatorship there was always a defender, usually from the former students of the professor, who saved his teacher.
• Reingold Moritsevich was a very sympathetic person. Once, during the Stalinist repressions, he greatly helped his student and colleague Alexander Mosolov, who was convicted for an imprudent statement and ended up in a logging camp. Gliere used all his connections (at that time he was the head of the Union of Composers of the USSR), went through many instances and achieved the release of Mosolov.
• When the composer composed his works, he was so immersed in the work that he could not tear himself away from it. During the war, when during the raids of enemy aircraft everyone fled to the bomb shelter, he always stayed at home, continuing to compose his works.
• Gliere was very lucky in his personal life: he met a woman with whom he lived in love and harmony for more than 50 years. The composer was an ideal husband, he adored his wife, kissed her hand every morning and affectionately called Manechka. The Gliere couple rest nearby at the Novodevichy Cemetery in Moscow.
• Reingold Moritsevich was a very responsible person. He went to the concert stage, even if he was very sick, and he had a high temperature. It was unacceptable for him to cancel the performance.
• Gliere's biography says that, while living in Germany, since 1908 the composer became interested in anthroposophy - an occult doctrine, the founder of which was Ph.D. R. Steiner. Gliere listened to a course of lectures in Germany and subsequently, together with his wife, was a member of various anthroposophical groups and circles, which included people of art, for more than six years.

• Reingold Moritsevich, who was very fond of children, understood how important musical and artistic education was for the formation of a personality, therefore, in the 20s, during the formation of a young state, he gladly responded to a request to work in a children's colony named after. Lunacharsky in Pushkino. For several years, in any bad weather at a certain time, he came to his wards to tell them about music, practice choral singing or help in staging a musical fairy-tale performance.
• In the thirties, the very famous American impresario S. Hurok several times persistently invited Gliere to visit the American continent and make a two-month concert tour as a conductor of author's works, defining this as a significant event in the musical life of the USA and Canada. The composer always refused these proposals.
• The outstanding composer will remain in the hearts and memory of people at all times. The Kiev Institute of Music bears his name, as well as music schools in Moscow, Kaliningrad, Uzbek Tashkent, Kazakh Almaty and German Markneukirchen. In addition, streets in such cities as Lutsk, Donetsk and Magnitogorsk are named after Glier.
• Reingold Moritsevich Gliere was considered by many to be the darling of fate. He was awarded the Glinkin Prize three times, the most authoritative musical prize that existed in Russia before the revolution. In Soviet times, the Russian government awarded the composer such honorary state titles as "Honored Artist", "Honored Artist" and "People's Artist". In addition, he received the title of "People's Artist" from the leadership of the Uzbek, Azerbaijan SSR, and then the USSR. In addition, he became the laureate of the Stalin Prize three times, was awarded the Orders of the Red Banner of Labor, the Badge of Honor and the Order of Lenin three times.

Creativity Gliere

Ronald Gliere, brought up on the great traditions of Russian classical music, has made an invaluable contribution to the development of world musical culture. The composer's perception of the world was rosy and harmonious, so he believed that music should be cheerful, filled with optimism and instill hope in people. Gliere's works are distinguished by their emotional balance, spiritual penetration, epic scope, wide and expressive melody, as well as sound and compositional integrity.

The creative life of Reinhold Gliere, which lasted nearly sixty years, was very successful. His compositions were not only successfully performed, but were often awarded various musical and state awards. The composer, being a workaholic, left a rich legacy for posterity, which includes about five hundred works written in various genres. Among the works of Gliere, it is necessary to note 5 operas, 6 ballets, 3 symphonies, 5 overtures, 2 poems, a concerto for voice and 4 instrumental concertos. In addition, the composer wrote works for folk and brass bands, as well as chamber works and pieces for various instruments: piano, violin and cello. Listing the compositions of Gliere, one cannot fail to mention his vocal compositions and music for theatrical performances and films.

Glier began to try his hand as a composer as a teenager: he created small pieces for violin and piano at the age of 14. The first work that brought recognition to Gliere was the first string sextet in C minor, written in 1898 and dedicated to S.I. Taneev. For him, in 1905, Reingold received the most prestigious Glinka Prize in pre-revolutionary Russia. Then there were, composed in 1899, a quartet, the first symphony and an octet, and for the final exam at the conservatory, Gliere presented the oratorio "Earth and Sky". Further, from the pen of the prolific composer, one after another, a variety of works came out, ranging from simple children's and youth pieces for violin, cello and piano, ending with such major works as the poem for the symphony orchestra "Sirens" (1908) and the third symphony (" Ilya Muromets") (1909), which were subsequently also awarded the Glinkin Prize. Then Gliere decided to redirect his energies to the musical and stage arts and created the ballet-pantomime Chrysis, which premiered in November 1912.

The next important stage in the composer's work was the period of the 1920s. At this time, he wrote the symphonic picture "The Cossacks", the opera "Shakhsenem" and 3 ballets: "Cleopatra", "Comedians" and "Red Poppy" - a significant work that became the first Soviet ballet, the plot of which was based on modern themes.

A particularly significant period in the work of Gliere began in the mid-30s and lasted until the end of his life, it was then that the composer created creations that reflected the full power of his brilliant talent. Among the works written at that time, 3 operas should be distinguished: “Gyulsara”, “Leyli and Majnun” (co-authored with T. Sadykov) and “Rachel”, as well as magnificent concertos: for coloratura soprano (Stalin Prize), harp, horn , cello and violin. In addition, the famous Fourth String Quartet (Stalin Prize) and the overtures "Friendship of Peoples", "Ferghana Holiday" and "Victory" deserve special attention. In the late 40s and early 50s, two wonderful ballets came out from the composer's pen - Taras Bulba and The Bronze Horseman"(Stalin Prize), which ends with the symbolic work "Hymn to the Great City".

Kyiv Conservatory. dashing years

In 1913, a significant event took place in the musical life of Kiev: the first conservatory was opened in Ukraine and, of course, the famous musician-teacher Gliere was invited to the newly opened educational institution as a professor of composition. However, the enterprising teacher taught students not only composition, but also theoretical disciplines, and in addition, he took charge of the orchestral, chamber and opera classes. A year later, the staff of the conservatory, assessing the business qualities of Gliere, elected him rector. Taking all the best achievements in the organization of the educational process of the St. Petersburg and Moscow conservatories, Gliere initiated the creation of an arts council, which developed its own training and management program for the educational process. A chamber ensemble class, an opera studio and a student symphony orchestra were formed, run by the rector himself. To support talented students - composers, Reinhold Moritsevich established a scholarship to them. A. Scriabin.

Thanks to the authority and entrepreneurial spirit of Gliere, the teaching staff of the institution was replenished with such masters as G. Neuhaus and F. Blumenfeld, M. Erdenko, S. Kozolupov, B. Yavorsky, Y. Turczynski and P. Kochanski. In addition, taking an active part in the work of the Russian Musical Society, he organized performances in Kiev by such famous musicians as S. Rachmaninov, J. Kheifets, A. Glazunov, S. Koussevitzky, A. Grechaninov, L. Auer, S. Prokofiev, E. Cooper . It is very important to note that Gliere's directorial activities fell on very difficult war and revolutionary years. He constantly had to “beat off” students from military service, fight for teachers from whom the provisional authorities took away housing, and also, at that famine time, seek food rations for the teaching staff. However, despite all the difficulties,

Gliere's music in cinema

• The Earth Is Thirsty (1930)
• Friends Meet Again (1939)
• Alisher Navoi (1947)
• Red Poppy (1955)
• In the Pacific (1958)
• Ilya Muromets (1975)