Korchinska, Maria

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Korchinska, Maria

Korchinska, Maria, Russian-born English harpist; b. Moscow, Feb. 16, 1895; d. London, April 17, 1979. She studied at the Moscow Cons., where she was the first harp student to graduate with the gold medal. She then was principal harpist in the orch. of the Moscow Opera (1918–24) and also taught at the Moscow Cons. In 1926 she settled in London, where she pursued a career as a soloist with orchs. and as a recitalist. She was particularly active in promoting the composition of new works for the harp.

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire

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