Mossolov, Aleksandr Vassilevich (1900–1973)

Russian pianist and composer. His family, which cultivated various branches of art, moved to Moscow in 1904 and in 1921 he entered the Conservatory there, studying under Glière until 1925. He travelled much as a pianist and to study folk music in central Asia.

Works Opera The Dam, The Hero (1928), The Signal (1941).

Cantatas Sphinx (Oscar Wilde) and Kirghiz Rhapsody.

Orchestral six symphonies (1929–50); Turcomanian Suite and Uzbek Dance for orchestra; two piano concertos (1927, 1935), violin concerto, harp concerto, two cello concertos.

Ballet The Factory (1927) with realistic sound effects, including a shaken metal sheet, also performed as a concert item with the title The Iron Foundry (Music of Machines).

Chamber string quartet, Dance Suite for piano trio; viola and piano sonata.

Vocal songs to words by Pushkin, Lermontov, and Blok; massed choruses, battle songs.