Berezovsky, Nikolai (1900–1953)

Russian-born US violinist and composer who wrote the children's opera Babar the Elephant. He learnt music in the Imperial Chapel at St Petersburg, and became a violinist in the opera orchestras at Saratov and Moscow and conductor at the School of Modern Art there. In 1922 he emigrated to the USA, where he continued his studies, played in the New York Symphony Orchestra, became a member of the Coolidge quartet, and appeared as a concert and broadcasting conductor.

Works four symphonies (1931–43), Sinfonietta and Hebrew Suite for orchestra; waltzes for string orchestra; violin concerto (1931), Fantasy for two pianos and orchestra; Concerto lirico for cello and orchestra, Toccata, Variations and Finale for string quartet and orchestra; cantata Gilgamesh (1947); string quartet, two woodwind quintets, sextet for clarinet, piano and strings, suite for seven brass instruments.