Melgounov, Julius Nicholaevich

1846-1893

Russian composer and musical writer; born at Vetlouga, in Kostroma; began the study of music as a pupil of Dreyschock. Made his debut as a pianist in St. Petersburg at the age of eighteen. Laroche taught him theory, then he entered the Conservatory at Moscow, where he met Rudolph Westphal, at that time professor in the Katkov Lycee. He became greatly interested in Westphal's theories on rhythm, and accompanied that artist as pianist on a concert tour undertaken to introduce these theories into Germany. With Westphal he has written a book applying the principles of rhythm to ten of Bach's fugues. He has also written several books on Russian folk-songs, and a treatise on Russian National Music.