Vladimir Bakaleinikov

Vladimir Romanovich Bakaleinikov, also Bakaleynikov and Bakaleinikoff (Russian: Владимир Романович Бакалейников; 3 October 1885 in Moscow – 5 November 1953 in Pittsburgh) was a Russian-American violist, music educator, conductor and composer.

Life and career

Bakaleinikov, the son of a noted clarinetist, was from a large musical family who lived in poverty. His elder brother was flautist, composer and conductor Nikolai Bakaleinikov (1881–1957), his younger brothers, both composers, were Mikhail (Mischa) Bakaleinikoff (1890–1960) and Constantin Bakaleinikoff (1898–1966).

"My father earned very little. We children helped him by playing at weddings, in restaurants, giving lessons, and later concertizing. We did not refuse any type of work. It was shameful not to be working, seeing as our mother did all of the washing, cooking, sewing, and waited on us all."
— Vladimir Bakaleinikov: Notes of a Musician[1]
«Мой отец зарабатывал очень мало. Мы, дети, помогали ему зарабатывать игрой на свадьбах, в ресторанах, давая уроки, впоследствии концертируя. Никакими видами труда мы, дети, не гнушались. Стыдно было не работать, видя, как наша мать на всех стирала, на всех готовила, всех обшивала и всем прислуживала.»
— Владимир Бакалейников: Записки Музыканта

Bakaleinikov entered the Moscow Conservatory at the age of nine, studying with Jan Hřímalý. After his graduation in 1907, he quickly gained a reputation as a gifted violist and chamber musician playing with the Russian Musical Society in Moscow, the Mecklenburg Quartet (1910–1920) of Saint Petersburg, and later with the Stradivari Quartet (1920–1924) in Moscow. He was conductor of the Theatre of Musical Drama (Театр музыкальной драмы) in Saint Petersburg (1914–1916), and at the Music Studio of the Moscow Art Theatre (1920–1926). Simultaneously, Bakaleinikov was Professor of Viola at the Saint Petersburg Conservatory (1918–1920) and at the Moscow Conservatory (1920–1924). As Professor of Viola, Bakaleinikov was a pioneer in promoting artistic standards for the instrument. Among his students were, in particular, Vadim Borisovsky who succeeded him as Professor of Viola at the Conservatory.[2]

In 1925–1926, Bakaleinikov, together with his wife, singer and actress Julia Fatova (Юлия Фатова; Yulia Fatova), went to the United States with the Moscow Art Theater Music Studio on a highly successful tour.[3] At the invitation of the conductor Fritz Reiner, Bakaleinikov was appointed assistant conductor and principal violist of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra (1927–1937).[4] In 1937, following the lead of his two younger brothers, he moved to Hollywood to work in film. He was also associate conductor of the Los Angeles Philharmonic.[5] During this time, Bakaleinikov began conducting lessons with seven-year-old Lorin Maazel.[5] In 1938, Bakaleinikov again accepted an invitation from Reiner to be his assistant, then principal conductor with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. The Maazel family followed Bakaleinikov to Pittsburgh so that the young conductor could continue working with his teacher. Between Reiner's departure from Pittsburgh in 1948 and the arrival of his successor William Steinberg in 1952, Bakaleinikov served as musical director of the Orchestra.[6] Affectionately known as "Bak," he possessed a delightful sense of humor and loved to tell stories.

Bakaleinikov wrote Elementary Rules of Conducting for Orchestra, Band and Chorus (1938), a memoir Записки музыканта (Notes of a Musician) (1943), and composed a concerto for viola as well as chamber works.

Bakaleinikov was awarded the honorary title of Honored Artist of the RSFSR in 1924.

Selected works

  1. A Ballad
  2. Humoresque
  3. March eccentric
Literary

Discography

References

  1. ↑ «Родина» (2006), Владимир Бакалейников: Записки Музыканта (Vladimir Bakaleinikov Notes of a Musician) (Russian) Retrieved 15 October 2010.
  2. ↑ Riley, Maurice W. (1980), "The Viola in Europe in the 20th Century: The Russian Viola School", The History of the Viola, Volume I, Ann Arbor, Michigan: Braun-Brumfield, p. 208
  3. ↑ Scope of Soviet Activity in the United States: No Room for Art (1957) Retrieved 15 October 2010.
  4. ↑ Riley, Maurice W. (1980), "Brief Biographies of Violists", The History of the Viola, Volume I, Ann Arbor, Michigan: Braun-Brumfield, p. 317
  5. 1 2 Lorin Maazel biography Retrieved 15 October 2010.
  6. ↑ Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh: Vladimir & Julia Bakaleinikoff Retrieved 15 October 2010.
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