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Maria Kotlyarevskaya-KraftMusicologist, teacher, psychologist, educator
Date of Birth: 24.03.1922
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Content:
Early Life and Education
Maria Alekseevna Kotlyarevskaya-Kraft was born on March 24, 1922, in Vitebsk, Belarus. Her father, Alexei Shtein, was a renowned pianist and pedagogue, while her mother, Tatyana Mikhailovna Kotlyarevskaya, was a renowned pianist and professor at the Tashkent State Conservatory.
Maria's musical upbringing began at a young age as she attended Children's Music School No. 1 in Novosibirsk, one of the institutions her father helped establish.
Musical Pedagogy and Innovation
Maria emerged as a leading figure in musical pedagogy in Siberia. Influenced by her family's musical heritage, she became a dedicated advocate for the relative solmization method. Maria developed groundbreaking teaching materials and authored textbooks that gained national recognition. Her unique approach and publications have inspired countless young musicians.
Maria's seminal works include the widely used textbooks "Solfeggio" and "Introduction to Creativity" (co-authored with L.L. Shtuden, 1987). She also penned the reflective memoir "I Cannot Remain Silent..." (2000, 2005), which showcases her innovative approach to music and aesthetic education.
Family Heritage
Maria's family had a profound impact on her life and career.Paternal Grandfather: Fyodor Fyodorovich (Teodor) Shtein (1819-1893) was a celebrated German pianist and improviser.
Maternal Grandfather: Mikhail Mikhailovich Kotlyarevsky was the governor of Vilno and a state councilor under Emperor Nicholas II.
Father: Alexei Fyodorovich Shtein (1870-1959) taught piano at prestigious institutions in St. Petersburg and Petrograd.
Mother: Tatyana Mikhailovna Kotlyarevskaya was a renowned pianist and teacher at the Tashkent State Conservatory.
Uncles: Evgeny Fyodorovich Shtein (1869-1961) was a Russian diplomat, while Modest Fyodorovich Shtein (1876-1908) is of unknown whereabouts.
Aunt: Vera (Lyubov) Fyodorovna Shtein (1881-1971) pursued a career as a sculptor and artist.
Personal Life
Maria was married twice. Her first marriage was to Abram Portnov, with whom she had a son named Mikhail Abramovich Portnov (1940-2012). She later married Vladimir Alexandrovich Kraft and had a daughter named Olga Kibis (Kraft).