Vladimir Romanovich Bakaleinikov, alsoBakaleynikov andBakaleinikoff (Russian:Владимир Романович Бакалейников; 3 October 1885 inMoscow – 5 November 1953 inPittsburgh) was aRussian-Americanviolist,music educator,conductor andcomposer.
Bakaleinikov, the son of a notedclarinetist, was from a large musical family who lived in poverty. His elder brother wasflautist, composer and conductorNikolai Bakaleinikov (1881–1957), his younger brothers, both composers, wereMikhail (Mischa) Bakaleinikov (1890–1960) andConstantin Bakaleinikoff (1898–1966).
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Bakaleinikov entered theMoscow Conservatory at the age of nine, studying withJan Hřímalý. After his graduation in 1907, he quickly gained a reputation as a gifted violist and chamber musician playing with theRussian Musical Society in Moscow, theMecklenburg Quartet (1910–1920) ofSaint Petersburg, and later with theStradivari Quartet (1920–1924) in Moscow. He was conductor of the Theatre of Musical Drama (Театр музыкальной драмы) in Saint Petersburg (1914–1916), and at the Music Studio of theMoscow Art Theatre (1920–1926). Simultaneously, Bakaleinikov was Professor of Viola at theSaint Petersburg Conservatory (1918–1920) and at the Moscow Conservatory (1920–1924). As Professor of Viola, Bakaleinikov was a pioneer in promoting artistic standards for the instrument. Among his students were, in particular,Vadim Borisovsky who succeeded him as Professor of Viola at the Conservatory.[2]
In 1925–1926, Bakaleinikov, together with his wife, singer and actress Julia Fatova (Юлия Фатова; Yulia Fatova), went to the United States with the Moscow Art Theater Music Studio on a highly successful tour.[3] At the invitation of the conductorFritz Reiner, Bakaleinikov was appointed assistant conductor and principal violist of theCincinnati Symphony Orchestra (1927–1937).[4] In 1937, following the lead of his two younger brothers, he moved toHollywood to work in film. He was also associate conductor of theLos Angeles Philharmonic.[5] During this time, Bakaleinikov began conducting lessons with seven-year-oldLorin Maazel.[5] In 1938, Bakaleinikov again accepted an invitation from Reiner, then principal conductor of thePittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, to be his assistant. The Maazel family followed Bakaleinikov toPittsburgh so that the young conductor could continue working with his teacher. Between Reiner's departure from Pittsburgh in 1948 and the arrival of his successorWilliam Steinberg in 1952, Bakaleinikov served as musical director of the Orchestra.[6] Affectionately known as "Bak," he possessed a delightful sense of humor and loved to tell stories.
Bakaleinikov wroteElementary Rules of Conducting for Orchestra, Band and Chorus (1938), a memoirЗаписки музыканта (Notes of a Musician) (1943), and composed aconcerto for viola[citation needed] as well aschamber works.
Bakaleinikov was awarded the honorary title ofHonored Artist of the RSFSR in 1924.
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