As a private pupil of Rimsky-Korsakov and a friend of Tchaikovsky, Glazunov strove in his works to combine the two Russian musical trends of his time, as represented by those two composers. Thus we find both elements in his symphonies: folklore from the Russian national school as well as the progressive composing techniques of the more western-oriented Tchaikovsky. Glazunov, the scion of a well-to-do Russian publishing family, was able to devote all his attentions to composing – besides nine symphonies, he wrote chamber music, solo concerti for piano, cello and violin and the ballet "Raymonda". In addition, he conducted the works of his Russian colleagues all over Europe – one source of fame came from his "Russian Concerts” at the 1889 Paris World’s Fair – which contributed to a greater familiarity with Russian music
born on August 10, 1865 in St. Petersburg
died on March 21, 1936 in Paris