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Taneev, Sergey (Ivanovich) (b. Govt. of Vladimir, 1856; d. Dyudkovo, 1915). Russian composer and pianist. Studied Moscow Conservatory, 1866-75 (pianoforte with N. Rubenstein, composition with Tchaikovsky). DŽbut as pianist, Jan. 1875, in Brahms's D minor pianoforte concerto. Professor of instrumentation Moscow Conservatory 1878, then of pianoforte and later of composition 1881-87). Opponent of nationalist school in Russia. Completed vocal version of Tchaikovsky's Romeo and Juliet. Wrote operas, symphonies, choral works, string quartets, songs.

Tchaikovsky Pyotr (Ilyich) (b Votkinsk, 1840; d. St Petersburg, 1893). Russian composer and conductor. In 1868 met nationalist group of young Russian composers headed by Rimsky-Korsakov but later came to be regarded by them as cosmopolitan rather than truly Russian. Wrote ballets, operas, piano music, orchestral music. He succumbed to the influence of neither Brahms or Wagner, but greatly admired the French music of Bizet and Saint-Saens. He also had lifelong passion for Mozart. His most impressive operas are Eugene Onegin (Engeny Onyegin, 1877-1878), Mazeppa(1881-1883), Queen of Spades (Pikovaya Dama, 1890). He is one of the most prolific ballet-writer. His ballets Swan Lake (Lebedinoye ozero, 1875-76), The Sleeping Beauty (Spyashchaya krasavitsa, 1888-9), Nutcracker (Schelkunchik, 1891-2) are world famous.

TchŽrŽpnine, Nikolai (b. St Petersburg, 1873; d. Issy-les-Moulineaux, near Paris, 1945). Russian composer. Studied St Petersburg Cons. with Rimsky-Korsakov 1895-1898, after abandoning law studies. Conductor for Diaghilev Ballet 1909-1914. In 1921 settled in Paris. Director of Russian Conservatory in Paris 1925-1929, 1938-1945. Wrote two operas, 6 ballets, orch. works and piano forte concerts.

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Weber, Carl Maria (Friedrich Ernst) von (b. Eutin in Oldenbrug, 1786; d. London, 1826). German composer, conductor, and pianist. Son of town musician and theatrical impresario and his 2nd wife, a singer and actress. Taught as boy by Michael Haydn in Salzburg, then by court organist, Kalcher, in Munich 1798-1800. By 1800 had already composed opera, mass, and piano forte works. Went to Vienna in 1803 as pupil of Vogler, through whose influence became Kapellmeister at Breslau municipal th. 1804-6. Worked in Karlsruhe 1806-7, where he wrote 2 symphonies. Court secretarial post Stuttgart 1807-10, where he was encouraged by Kapellmeister, Danzi. While there wrote music to Turandot, opera Silvana, and other works. Traveled to Munich 1811, where he wrote bassoon concerto for court wind-player, and to Prague, where his piano forte improvisations were acclaimed. Appointed director of Prague Opera between 1813-1816.Wrote Mass in E, 1818 and worked on opera Der FreischŸtz that was produced in Berlin, to tumultuous acclaim, in 1821 and was taken up throughout Germany, making Weber the most popular composer of the day. At the same time, he was at work on a comic opera Die drei Pintos which he never finished and which was subsequently prepared for performance by Mahler. In 1822-23 composed an opera Euryanthe, commissioned by the Vienna KŠrntnerthor Theater. While in Vienna, Weber met Beethoven, with whom he had been in correspondence. In 1824, the manager of Covent Garden, Kemble, commissioned an opera Oberon from Weber. Went to London 1826, staying with Sir George Smart in Great Portland Street. Died of tuberculosis in Smart house 7 weeks after Oberon's premi�re. His body was taken to Moorfields Chapel. In 1844, on instigation of the Dresden Kapellmeister Richard Wagner, coffin was shipped back to Germany, and buried in Dresden Catholic cemetery on 15 December after funeral oration by Wagner.