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Samuil SamosudRussian and Soviet conductor, People's Artist of the USSR (1937)
Date of Birth: 14.05.1884
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Content:
- Early Life and Education
- Debut as Conductor and Early Career
- Leadership of the Bolshoi Theatre
- Post-War Career and Legacy
- Recognition and Awards
Early Life and Education
Samoil Abramovich Samosud was born in Tiflis (now Tbilisi), Georgia, on November 12, 1884. He initially pursued cello studies and graduated from the Tiflis Conservatory in 1906. Samosud subsequently sought further training in Prague under the tutelage of Hans Wihán, in Paris under Pablo Casals, and at the Schola Cantorum.
Debut as Conductor and Early Career
Samosud made his debut as a conductor in 1917. He spent two years at the Petrograd Opera and Ballet Theatre before becoming the principal conductor and artistic director of the Leningrad Maly Opera Theatre. Concurrently, he taught conducting at the Leningrad Conservatory from 1929, becoming a professor in 1934.
Leadership of the Bolshoi Theatre
In 1936, Samosud was appointed to lead the prestigious Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow, a position he held until 1943. During his tenure, he played a pivotal role in the premieres of several Soviet operas, including Shostakovich's "The Nose" (1930) and "Lady Macbeth of the Mtsensk District" (1934).
Post-War Career and Legacy
Following the war, Samosud led the Stanislavsky and Nemirovich-Danchenko Music Theatre (1943-1950), the Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra (1950-1957), and the Symphony Orchestra of the USSR Ministry of Culture (1957-1964). Samosud also established and became the first artistic director of the All-Union Radio Symphony Orchestra (1953-1957) and the All-Union Radio and Television Opera and Symphony Orchestra (1957 onwards).
Recognition and Awards
Samosud was awarded the title of People's Artist of the USSR in 1937. He received three Stalin Prizes: in 1941 for his production of Glinka's "Ivan Susanin," in 1947 for Prokofiev's "War and Peace," and in 1952 for Kabalevsky's "The Taras Family." Samosud also received the Order of Lenin and other honors for his contributions to Soviet music.
