Nicolas Nabokov: A Life in Freedom and Music

Nicolas Nabokov was a Russian-American composer and conductor who lived a life of freedom and music. He was the son of the renowned novelist Vladimir Nabokov, and his life was marked by both triumph and tragedy.

Nicolas Nabokov: A Life in Freedom and Music

by Vincent Giroud

4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2693 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	562 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

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Early Life and Education

Nicolas Nabokov was born in St. Petersburg, Russia, on April 17, 1903. His father, Vladimir Nabokov, was a successful novelist and poet, and his mother, Elena Ivanovna Sikorsky, was the daughter of a prominent Russian general. Nabokov's early childhood was spent in a world of privilege and culture. He received a classical education and began studying music at a young age.

In 1919, the Nabokov family fled Russia during the Russian Revolution. They settled in Berlin, where Nicolas continued his musical studies. In 1922, the family moved to the United States, and Nicolas enrolled at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia. He studied composition with Rosario Scalero and conducting with Fritz Reiner.

Career

After graduating from Curtis, Nabokov began his career as a composer and conductor. He wrote music for a variety of genres, including opera, ballet, and symphony. He also conducted many of the world's leading orchestras, including the New York Philharmonic, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and the Philadelphia Orchestra.

Nabokov's music is characterized by its lyricism, its rhythmic vitality, and its use of colorful orchestration. He was influenced by a wide range of composers, including Stravinsky, Prokofiev, and Ravel. However, his music is ultimately unique and personal, and it reflects his own experiences and emotions.

Personal Life

Nabokov was married twice. His first marriage, to Natalia Macheret, ended in divorce. In 1941, he married Anne Garrison, and they remained together until his death in 1978. Nabokov and Garrison had two children, a son, Dmitri, and a daughter, Sophie.

Nabokov was a complex and passionate man. He was a gifted musician and a devoted husband and father. However, he also struggled with depression and alcoholism. In his later years, he suffered from a series of strokes that left him paralyzed and unable to speak.

Legacy

Nicolas Nabokov died in New York City on April 6, 1978. He was 74 years old. He is considered one of the most important composers of the 20th century, and his music continues to be performed and recorded around the world.

Nabokov's legacy is not only his music, but also his life story. He was a man who lived a life of freedom and music, despite the challenges he faced. He is an inspiration to all who strive to live a creative and fulfilling life.

Nicolas Nabokov was a remarkable composer and conductor who made a significant contribution to the world of music. His life was marked by both triumph and tragedy, but he never lost his love of freedom and music. He is an inspiration to all who strive to live a creative and fulfilling life.

Nicolas Nabokov: A Life in Freedom and Music

by Vincent Giroud

4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2693 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	562 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE