Nikolai Dmitriev (composer)

Nikolai Dmitrievich Dmitriev (Russian: Николай Дмитриевич Дмитриев, romanized: Nikolay Dmitrijevich Dmitrijev; 5 August [O.S. 24 July] 1829 – 27 July [O.S. 15 July] 1893) was a Russian composer and pianist.

Dmitriev was born in Moscow and attended a boarding school. He served in the judicial department and was a member of a court in Berdyansk. He studied composition and toured Russia, performing in various charity concerts at the same time,^[1] as a pianist and conductor (Vyatka, Taganrog, Mariupol, Kazan, Ryazan). Dmitriev's performing career began in the 1840s in Moscow. He settled in Kharkiv in 1857 and taught piano there to his students (among them Mykola Lysenko). Dmitriev left Kharkiv some time later, returning in 1861. He lived in Kazan in the early 1870s. He died in Taganrog.

His musical language was largely influenced by the Russian style and also other Romantic styles. The style of Mendelssohn can be seen in his Three Songs Without Words (Op. 15). He was a composer of mazurkas. His works showcase virtuosity.^[2] Dmitriev also composed a symphony (unfinished), about 100 romances (55 published), and the popular trio In the Wild North.^[1][3]