[Siloti, Alexander [Ziloti, Aleksandr Il'yich]. (1863–1945)]
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Original Family Photograph with the Blüthner Family around Christmas Tree
Interesting original photograph of the important pianist's family at Christmas in Leipzig, 1898. His children are shown playing together with the children of the Blüthner piano manufacturing family around the Christmas tree at the home of the Blüthners. The scene and family members have been identified by the youngest daughter of the family, Kyriena, on the verso in Russian. On the floor are Alexander Siloti (Siloti's eldest son), Lev Siloti, a Blüthner daughter, Oxana Siloti, and a Blüthner son; standing to the left of the tree are "Mlle. Marie," likely a governess, and Vera Siloti; and to the right of the tree are Mrs. Blüthner, Lisbeth [Blüthner?], and Kyriena. Triangular tear at the lower edge, repaired; mounted on toned paper. Overall in very good condition. 5 x 4 inches (13 x 10.5 cm).
The Russian pianist, conductor and composer Alexander Siloti was born near Kharkiv, Ukraine (then part of of Imperial Russia) and studied at the Moscow Conservatory with Nikolai Zverev, Nikolai Rubinstein, and Tchaikovsky, before traveling to Weimar to further his studies with Liszt. Returning to Moscow, he then taught at the Moscow Conservatory, where his students included his cousin Sergei Rachmaninoff. From 1892 to 1900, he lived and toured in Europe with his wife and young children, Alexander, Ivan, Vera, Oxana, Kyriena, and Lev. In Leipzig, his family spent time with the family of Julius Blüthner, who by the end of the century had become the largest piano maker in Germany. Kyriena Siloti later became a noted pianist and teacher in New York and Boston until her death in 1989, aged 94.
(15804)
Unsigned PhotographClassical Music