Alexander Goldenweiser

Alexander Borisovich Goldenweiser 26 November 1961) was a Russian and Soviet pianist, teacher and composer.

Life Goldenweiser was born in Kishinev, the capital of Bessarabia Governorate in the Russian Empire.

Rachmaninoff's Second Suite, Op. 17, was dedicated to him as well as Medtner's Lyric Fragments, Op. 23.

He was a close friend of Leo Tolstoy. He published memories of his relationship with Tolstoy in his book Vblizi Tolstogo.

He made a number of renowned recordings as a pianist, including four recordings on piano roll for the Welte-Mignon reproducing piano in 1910. He died on 26 November 1961, in Moscow Oblast.

Honours and awards People's Artist of the RSFSR (1931) Stalin Prize, first class (1947) Two Orders of Lenin (including 9 March 1945) Order of the Red Banner of Labour, three times (27 April 1937, 29 April 1950, 9 March 1955) People's Artist of the USSR (1946)

Selective discography as composer and pianist Piano Trio in E minor, Op. 31. Leonid Kogan, violin. Mstislav Rostropovich, cello. Composer, piano. Melodiya D-9123-4 (LP); released 1961 as composer Contrapuntal Sketches, Op. 12. Sonata Fantasia', Op. 37. 'Skazka, Op. 39. Jonathan Powell, piano. Toccata TOCC 044, CD, released 2009. The Contrapuntal Sketches were written in the 1930s. With this work Goldenweiser can perhaps stake claim as being the first Russian composer to write a set of polyphonic pieces in each of the major and minor keys, all of which appear on this recording. as pianist Russian Piano School, Vol 1: Alexander Goldenweiser. Music by Tchaikovsky, Arensky, Borodin, Rachmaninoff (also with G. Ginsburg), Medtner, Goldenweiser – original recordings 1946–1955 by Melodiya. NoNoise transfers distributed BMG 74321 25173 2 Russian Piano School. Rachmaninoff: Suites for Two Pianos nos. 1 & 2; Six Morceaux pour piano duet. Talents of Russia. RCD 16260 Grieg: Lyric pieces, opp. 12, 43, 47, 65. Melodiya. MEL CD 10 02118 Medtner: Sonata in E minor for Violin and Piano, op. 57 (with David Oistrakh, violin). Melodiya. Catoire: Violin Sonatas nos. 1 & 2 (with David Oistrakh, violin). Melodiya.