Zolotarev, Vasilii Andreevich

Born Feb. 24 (Mar. 7), 1872, in Taganrog; died May 25, 1964, in Moscow. Soviet composer and teacher; Honored Artist of the RSFSR (1932) and People’s Artist of the Byelorussian SSR (1949).

Zolotarev studied composition under M. A. Balakirev from 1893 to 1898 and in N. A. Rimsky-Korsakov’s course at the St. Petersburg Conservatory, from which he graduated in 1900. He taught at the Moscow Conservatory from 1909 to 1918, at the Minsk Conservatory from 1933 to 1941, and at other conservatories. In 1918 he became a professor. L. A. Polovinkin, K. F. Dan’kevich, A. G. Svechnikov, A. V. Bogatyrev, M. E. Kroshner, D. A. Lukas, V. V. Olovnikov, and M. S. Vainberg were his pupils. He is the author of three operas, including The Decembrists (1925; new version, Kondratii Ryleev, 1957); a ballet, The Prince-Lake (1949; State Prize of the USSR, 1950); seven symphonies (1902-62); three concertos; six string quartets; cantatas; choruses; art songs; and other compositions. He was awarded the Order of Lenin, the Order of the Red Banner of Labor, and medals.