Background
Safonov, Vasilii was born on February 6, 1852 in Stanitsa Itsiurskaia, Terskii District.
conductor pianist Music teacher
Safonov, Vasilii was born on February 6, 1852 in Stanitsa Itsiurskaia, Terskii District.
In 1880, graduated from the Petersburg Conservatory. Taught at the same conservatory, 1880-1885. From 1885-1905, professor at the Moscow Conservatory.
From 1889— 1905, conductor of symphonic music concerts with the Moscow branch of the Russian Music Society. From1906-1909, conductor of a philharmonic orchestra and director of the National Conservatory in New York. Returned to Russia as a solo pianist (with L. Auer, K. Davydov and others).
Promoter of Russian symphonic music. Among his pupils were A. Skriabin and N. Metner. His daughter became the common-law wife of Admiral Kolchak during the Civil War and wrote interesting memoirs about her father and Kolchak, published in the West.