Krein, Grigori (Abramovich)

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Krein, Grigori (Abramovich)

Krein, Grigori (Abramovich), Russian composer, brother of Alexander (Abramovich) Krein and father of Julian (Grigorievich) Krein; b. Nizhny-Novgorod, March 18, 1879; d. Komarovo, near Leningrad, Jan. 6, 1955. He studied with Juon and Glière. His music underwent the influence of Jewish culture, and he wrote many works on Jewish themes; however, he also cultivated strict classical forms, adapting them to his needs. He wrote a descriptive symphonic cycle on Lenin’s life (1937), Violin Concerto, Hebrew Rhapsody for Clarinet and Orch., String Quartet, and piano pieces.

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire