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Natan RahlinSoviet conductor, teacher. People's Artist of the USSR (1948)
Date of Birth: 10.01.1907
Country:  Ukraine |
Content:
Biography of Nathan Rahlin
Nathan Rahlin was a Soviet conductor and educator, known for his immense talent and contribution to the field of music. He was born on January 10, 1907, in a small Ukrainian town, into a Jewish family.
Early Life and Musical Talent
At the age of three and a half, Rahlin began playing the violin, and by the age of four, he joined a children's orchestra. Remarkably, at the young age of seven, he started working as a musician at a local movie theater. During the Civil War, when Rahlin was just over ten years old, he became a horn player in Kotovsky's division, where he also learned to play other wind instruments.
Education and Career
In 1923, Rahlin enrolled in the Kiev Conservatory, astonishing the admissions committee with his performance of Mendelssohn's violin concerto arranged for the trumpet. His proficiency in various musical instruments, including strings, played a crucial role in his ability to communicate with musicians.
After graduating from the conservatory, Rahlin conducted orchestras in Kharkiv and Donetsk. His talent caught the attention of Nikita Khrushchev, who appointed him as the artistic director of the State Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine in 1937. Rahlin held this position until 1962 when he was ousted to make room for Ukrainian conductors.
For several years, he did not have his own orchestra and toured many cities in the former Soviet Union. Eventually, he ended up in Kazan, where he created the State Symphony Orchestra of the Tatar ASSR, which soon became a world-class ensemble, well-known in Moscow.
Legacy and Recognition
Rahlin's immense talent made him a legend among musicians. Throughout his career, he received several accolades, including the Laureate of the 1st All-Union Conductors Competition (1938, 2nd prize), the State Prize of the USSR (1952), and was awarded the Order of Lenin, along with two other orders and medals.
However, the upheavals of recent years took a toll on him, and he passed away in Kazan at the age of 72. His remains were transported by his family and laid to rest in Kiev without any involvement from the authorities. Despite the challenges he faced, Nathan Rahlin left behind a lasting legacy in the world of music.
