Born: October 25, 1864; Moscow, Russia Died: January 4, 1956;
New York, NY The long-lived Alexander Grechaninov was, until the
latter twentieth century, a largely neglected figure seen as
having written a few worthwhile liturgical works and some
attractive children's music, but little more. Then, his five
symphonies and other orchestral compositions garnered some
attention, while his many stage works awaited rediscovery.
Stylistically, he was very conservative, and as neo-Classical,
serial, and other progressiveRead more techniques took hold in
the twentieth century, his music was increasingly viewed as
outdated. Had it not been for the stubborn opposition of his
uneducated father, who could barely read, Grechaninov may have
developed sooner. He began study on the piano at the relatively
late age of 14, mainly owing to the urging of a caring sister-
in-law. Grechaninov enrolled at the Moscow Conservatory in 1881
over the objections of his father. There he studied piano first
with Nikolai Kashkin, then later wi