Taneiev, Sergey Ivanovich (1856–1915)

Russian composer and pianist, nephew of Aleksandr Taneiev. He studied composition with Tchaikovsky in Moscow, and after touring as a pianist became director of the Moscow Conservatory in 1885. His works include the operatic trilogy The Oresteia 1895. He achieved a major success with his last work, the cantata At the Reading of a Psalm 1915.

He studied at the Moscow Conservatory, intending at first to become a pianist, but also studying composition with Tchaikovsky. In 1875 he gave the Moscow first performance of Tchaikovsky's First piano concerto, and completed the original, vocal version of Romeo and Juliet. In 1876 he toured Russia, in 1877–78 he visited Paris, and after playing in the Baltic provinces he became professor of orchestration at the Moscow Conservatory. In 1881 he succeeded his former teacher Nikolai Rubinstein as chief professor of piano and in 1885 succeeded Nikolai Albertovich Gubert (Hubert; 1840–1888) as director. He was succeeded by Vassily Safonov in 1889 and concentrated on teaching counterpoint and fugue.

Works Opera operatic trilogy Oresteia (based on Aeschylus, 1895).

Choral cantatas, including John of Damascus for solo voices, chorus, and orchestra (1884), At the Reading of a Psalm (1915).

Orchestral four symphonies, Overture on Russian Themes for orchestra; concert suite for violin and orchestra.

Chamber 11 string quartets, two string trios, piano trio; prelude and fugue for two pianos; about 40 songs to words by Tiutchev and others; part songs.