Alexandra Armfelt

Alexandra Armfelt

Russian female composer
Date of Birth: 04.09.1870

Content:
  1. Early Life and Education
  2. Composition and Marriage
  3. Musical Output
  4. Post-Revolution Career
  5. Rediscovery and Legacy

Early Life and Education

Born into the Finnish Armfelt family, Alexandra Nikolaevna Zheleznova was the granddaughter of the influential statesman A. G. Armfelt. She began her musical studies with Anton Rubinstein. Later, she formed close ties with Mily Balakirev and Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov, who became her mentors.

Composition and Marriage

In 1893, Zheleznova published her first composition, a piano étude. Two years later, she married Vladimir Zheleznov, an officer stationed in the Ural Mountains. Together, they compiled and published a collection of songs from the Ural Cossacks.

Musical Output

Zheleznova's compositions include romances (settings of poems by poets such as Fet, Maikov, and Shelley), piano pieces, and other chamber works. She published her works widely and also taught at the Rapgof Musical Courses.

Post-Revolution Career

Following the Russian Revolution in 1917, Zheleznova worked as a piano accompanist and gave private music lessons. Her romances were rediscovered in 1966 at "Musical Wednesdays," a series hosted by the composer Valentin Perepelkin.

Rediscovery and Legacy

In 2002, a collection of Zheleznova's works was published, featuring both her romances and instrumental compositions. This publication helped to revive interest in her music, which continues to be performed today.

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