Laroche, Herman Augustovich

1845-

Musical critic and composer. Born in St. Petersburg, where he received his musical instruction. In 1867 he was appointed teacher of theory and musical history at the Moscow Conservatory, returning to St. Petersburg in 1871. He is a contemporary of Tschaikowsky, about whom he has written many admiring articles. Laroche has composed some instrumental and vocal works, but it is as a writer that he is best known. He  has contributed largely to leading Russian newspapers and periodicals. He has much originality of thought and a clear, concise style. He translated Hanslick's Vom musikalische Schonen into Russian.