Alexander Siloti |

Alexander Siloti

In 1882 he graduated from the Moscow Conservatory, where he studied piano with N. S. Zverev and N. G. Rubinshtein (since 1875), in theory – with P. I. Tchaikovsky. From 1883 he improved himself with F. Liszt (in 1885 he organized the Liszt Society in Weimar). Since the 1880s gained European fame as a pianist. In 1888-91 professor of piano at Moscow. conservatory; among the students – S. V. Rachmaninov (cousin of Ziloti), A. B. Goldenweiser. In 1891-1900 he lived in Germany, France, Belgium. In 1901-02 he was chief conductor of the Moscow Philharmonic Society.

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The cultural and educational activities of Ziloti developed especially intensively in St. Petersburg (1903-13), where he organized annual cycles of symphony concerts, which he directed as a conductor. Later, he also organized chamber concerts (“Concerts by A. Siloti”), which were distinguished by an exceptional variety of programs; took part in them as a pianist.

A large place in his concerts was occupied by new works by Russian and foreign composers, but mainly by J. S. Bach. Famous conductors, instrumentalists and singers took part in them (W. Mengelberg, F. Motl, S. V. Rachmaninov, P. Casals, E. Ysai, J. Thibaut, F. I. Chaliapin). The musical and educational value of the “A. Siloti Concertos” was increased by the annotations to the concerts (they were written by A. V. Ossovsky).

In 1912, Siloti founded the “Public Concerts”, in 1915 – “Folk Free Concerts”, in 1916 – the “Russian Musical Fund” to help needy musicians (with the assistance of M. Gorky). From 1919 he lived in Finland, Germany. From 1922 he worked in the USA (where he gained greater fame than at home as a pianist); taught piano at the Juilliard School of Music (New York); among the American students of Siloti – M. Blitzstein.

As a pianist, Siloti promoted the work of J. S. Bach, F. Liszt (especially successfully performed the Dance of Death, Rhapsody 2, Pest Carnival, concerto No 2), in 1880-90 – P. I. Tchaikovsky (concert No 1), works by N. A. Rimsky-Korsakov, S. V. Rachmaninov, in the 1900s. – A. K. Glazunov, after 1911 – A. N. Scriabin (especially Prometheus), C. Debussy (Ziloti was one of the first performers of the works of C. Debussy in Russia).

Many piano works have been published in the arrangements and editions of Siloti (he is the editor of P. I. Tchaikovsky’s concertos). Siloti had a high performing culture and a breadth of musical interests. His playing was distinguished by intellectualism, clarity, plasticity of phrasing, brilliant virtuosity. Ziloti was an excellent ensemble player, played in a trio with L. Auer and A. V. Verzhbilovich; E. Isai and P. Casals. Siloti’s vast repertoire included works by Liszt, R. Wagner (especially the overture to The Meistersingers), Rachmaninov, Glazunov, E. Grieg, J. Sibelius, P. Duke and Debussy.

Cit .: My memories of F. Liszt, St. Petersburg, 1911.