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Igor Markevitch

Igor Markevitch

Musician · Ukraine · 1912–1983

classical music
▸ Source: MusicBrainz
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He recorded for prestigious labels including Philips Records and Deutsche Grammophon.

Igor Markevitch was a renowned Russian conductor and composer who lived from 1912 to 1983.

He was commissioned for a piano concerto by the famous impresario Sergei Diaghilev in 1929.

Based on: Wikidata, Wikipedia

Biography

Early Life

Igor Borisovich Markevitch was born on July 27, 1912, in Kyiv, Ukraine, into a distinguished family of Ukrainian Cossack nobility. His great-grandfather, Andrey Markevitch, served as a state secretary during the reign of Alexander II of Russia and was a co-founder of the Russian Musical Society. Markevitch's family moved to France in 1914, and later to Switzerland in 1916 due to World War I. Recognizing his musical talent, the renowned pianist Alfred Cortot encouraged him to pursue formal training in Paris, where he studied both piano and composition.

Career

Markevitch gained significant recognition in 1929 when the famous impresario Sergei Diaghilev commissioned a piano concerto from him. This marked the beginning of a prolific career, during which he produced at least one major work each year throughout the 1930s. He was celebrated as one of the leading contemporary composers of his time, even being referred to as "the second Igor" after Igor Stravinsky. His collaborations included ballets with notable figures such as Léonide Massine and Serge Lifar. Markevitch's innovative compositions, including the radical ballet score "L'Envol d'Icare," showcased his unique style and garnered praise from contemporaries like Béla Bartók.

Personal Life

Markevitch's family background was rich in artistic heritage, with connections to historians, musicians, and painters. He married Kyra Nijinsky, daughter of the famed ballet dancer Vaslav Nijinsky, in 1936, and they had a son before divorcing. In 1947, he married Donna Topazia Caetani, with whom he had three children. Markevitch's life was marked by his contributions to classical music, and he became a naturalized citizen of Italy and France in 1947 and 1982, respectively. He passed away on March 7, 1983, leaving behind a legacy as a prominent conductor and composer in the classical music world.

Collected from open sources (4) · facts link to sources · AI-processed

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Discography

Albums
Messe solennelle de Sainte CécileMesse solennelle de Sainte Cécile1989
  1. 1.Messe solennelle de Sainte Cécile: no. 1. Kyrie: Kyrie eleison - Christe eleison - Kyrie eleison6:15
  2. 2.Messe solennelle de Sainte Cécile: no. 2. Gloria: Gloria in excelsis Deo3:38
  3. 3.Messe solennelle de Sainte Cécile: no. 2. Gloria: Domine, Fili unigenite3:49
  4. 4.Messe solennelle de Sainte Cécile: no. 2. Gloria: Quoniam tu solus1:28
  5. 5.Messe solennelle de Sainte Cécile: no. 3. Credo: Credo in unum Deum4:38
  6. 6.Messe solennelle de Sainte Cécile: no. 3. Credo: Et incarnatus est3:41
  7. 7.Messe solennelle de Sainte Cécile: no. 3. Credo: Et resurrexit4:56
  8. 8.Messe solennelle de Sainte Cécile: no. 4. Offertorium3:18
  9. 9.Messe solennelle de Sainte Cécile: no. 5. Sanctus: Sanctus, sanctus, sanctus, Dominus6:33
  10. 10.Messe solennelle de Sainte Cécile: no. 6. Benedictus3:34
  11. 11.Messe solennelle de Sainte Cécile: no. 7. Agnus Dei: Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi4:49
  12. 12.Messe solennelle de Sainte Cécile: no. 8. Domine salvam: Prière de l'Église1:08
  13. 13.Messe solennelle de Sainte Cécile: no. 8. Domine salvam: Prière de l'Armée1:07
  14. 14.Messe solennelle de Sainte Cécile: no. 8. Domine salvam: Prière de la Nation1:37
Where to listen:Apple MusicYouTube MusicSpotify
Symphony no. 6 “Pathétique” / Overture “Hamlet”Symphony no. 6 “Pathétique” / Overture “Hamlet”1989
  1. 1.Symphony No. 6 in B minor, Op. 74 "Pathétique": I. Adagio – Allegro non troppo18:44
  2. 2.Symphony No. 6 in B minor, Op. 74 "Pathétique": II. Allegro con grazia7:39
  3. 3.Symphony No. 6 in B minor, Op. 74 "Pathétique": III. Allegro molto vivace9:27
  4. 4.Symphony No. 6 in B minor, Op. 74 "Pathétique": IV. Finale. Adagio lamentoso – Andante10:01
  5. 5.Hamlet, Op. 67a: Fantasy-Overture18:27
Where to listen:Apple MusicYouTube MusicSpotify
L'Histoire du SoldatL'Histoire du Soldat1988
  1. 1.L'histoire du soldat: 1re partie: Marche du soldat - Le soldat: "Voilà un joli endroit"2:37
  2. 2.L'histoire du soldat: 1re partie: Musique de la 1ère scène - Le diable: "Donnez-moi votre violon"6:32
  3. 3.L'histoire du soldat: 1re partie: Marche du soldat - Le soldat: "Bravo"4:03
  4. 4.L'histoire du soldat: 1re partie: Musique de la 2ème scène - Le soldat: "Ah! Brigand!"3:49
  5. 5.L'histoire du soldat: 1re partie: Musique de la fin de la 2ème scène - Le lecteur: "Il s'était mis"5:42
  6. 6.L'histoire du soldat: 1re partie: Musique de la fin de la 2ème scène - Le diable: "Regardez, Monsieur"1:46
  7. 7.L'histoire du soldat: 1re partie: Musique de la 3ème scène0:57
  8. 8.L'histoire du soldat: 2e partie: Marche du soldat - Le lecteur: "Un autre pays"2:55
  9. 9.L'histoire du soldat: 2e partie: Marche royale - Le lecteur: "On a fait marcher"6:37
  10. 10.L'histoire du soldat: 2e partie: Petit concert2:53
  11. 11.L'histoire du soldat: 2e partie: Trois danses: Tango - Valse - Ragtime6:45
  12. 12.L'histoire du soldat: 2e partie: Danse du diable1:25
  13. 13.L'histoire du soldat: 2e partie: Petit choral0:40
  14. 14.L'histoire du soldat: 2e partie: Couplet du diable0:35
  15. 15.L'histoire du soldat: 2e partie: Grand choral4:48
  16. 16.L'histoire du soldat: 2e partie: Marche triomphale du diable2:03
Where to listen:Apple MusicYouTube MusicSpotify
La vie pour le TsarLa vie pour le Tsar1988
  1. 1.La vie pour le Tsar : Ouverture8:15
  2. 2.La vie pour le Tsar : Acte I. Choeur5:50
  3. 3.La vie pour le Tsar : Acte I. Cavatine et Rondo d'Antonida7:40
  4. 4.La vie pour le Tsar : Acte I. Scène et choeur5:19
  5. 5.La vie pour le Tsar : Acte I. Scène, Trio et Finale16:58
  6. 6.La vie pour le Tsar : Acte II. Polonaise4:12
  7. 7.La vie pour le Tsar : Acte II. Krakowiak5:59
  8. 8.La vie pour le Tsar : Acte II. Mazurka et Finale11:13
  9. 9.La vie pour le Tsar : Acte III. Entracte2:59
  10. 10.La vie pour le Tsar : Acte III. Chanson et Duo8:27
  11. 11.La vie pour le Tsar : Acte III. Choeur3:29
  12. 12.La vie pour le Tsar : Acte III. Quatuor10:59
  13. 13.La vie pour le Tsar : Acte III. Scène et choeur13:17
  14. 14.La vie pour le Tsar : Acte III. Choeur nuptial et Scène2:15
  15. 15.La vie pour le Tsar : Acte III. Romance et Choeur5:43
  16. 16.La vie pour le Tsar : Acte III. Finale1:58
  17. 17.La vie pour le Tsar : Acte IV. Entracte0:49
  18. 18.La vie pour le Tsar : Acte IV. Choeur et Air6:29
  19. 19.La vie pour le Tsar : Acte IV. Air et Choeur9:23
  20. 20.La vie pour le Tsar : Acte IV. Choeur3:51
  21. 21.La vie pour le Tsar : Acte IV. Air5:43
  22. 22.La vie pour le Tsar : Acte IV. Récitatif et Finale11:04
  23. 23.La vie pour le Tsar : Acte IV. Epilogue3:06
Where to listen:Apple MusicYouTube MusicSpotify
Faust et HeleneFaust et Helene1977
  1. 1.Pour les funérailles d’un soldat
  2. 2.Faust et Helene (beginning)
  3. 3.Faust et Helene (conclusion)
Where to listen:Apple MusicYouTube MusicSpotify
La PéricholeLa Périchole1966
  1. 1.La Périchole: Act 1 Pt. 1
  2. 2.La Périchole: Act 1 Pt. 2
  3. 3.La Périchole: Act 2 Pt. 1
  4. 4.La Périchole: Act 2 Pt. 2
  5. 5.La Périchole: Act 3 Pt. 1
  6. 6.La Périchole: Act 3 Pt. 2
Where to listen:Apple MusicYouTube MusicSpotify
Symphony no. 1 in G minor, op. 13 “Winter Reveries”Symphony no. 1 in G minor, op. 13 “Winter Reveries”1966
  1. 1.Symphony no. 1 in G minor, op. 13 “Winter Reveries”: 1st Movt: Allegro tranquillo
  2. 2.Symphony no. 1 in G minor, op. 13 “Winter Reveries”: 2nd Movt: Adagio cantabile ma non tanto
  3. 3.Symphony no. 1 in G minor, op. 13 “Winter Reveries”: 3rd Movt: Scherzo (Allegro scherzando giocoso)
  4. 4.Symphony no. 1 in G minor, op. 13 “Winter Reveries”: 4th Movt: Finale (Andante lugubre – Allegro maestoso)
Where to listen:Apple MusicYouTube MusicSpotify
Symphony no. 5 in E minor, op. 64Symphony no. 5 in E minor, op. 641966
  1. 1.Symphony no. 5 in E minor: 1st Movt: Andante – Allegro con anima
  2. 2.Symphony no. 5 in E minor: 2nd Movt: Allegro cantabile, con alcuna licenza – Moderato con anima
  3. 3.Symphony no. 5 in E minor: 3rd Movt: Valse (Allegro moderato)
  4. 4.Symphony no. 5 in E minor: 4th Movt: Finale (Andante maestoso – Allegro vivace)
Where to listen:Apple MusicYouTube MusicSpotify
Le Sacre du printempsLe Sacre du printemps1966
  1. 1.L'Adoration de La Terre
  2. 2.Le Sacrifice
Where to listen:Apple MusicYouTube MusicSpotify
Symphony no. 2 in C minor, op. 17 “Little Russian”Symphony no. 2 in C minor, op. 17 “Little Russian”1966
  1. 1.Symphony no. 2 in C minor, op. 17 “Little Russian”: I. Andante sostenuto - Allegro vivo12:05
  2. 2.Symphony no. 2 in C minor, op. 17 “Little Russian”: II. Andantino marziale, quasi moderato7:51
  3. 3.Symphony no. 2 in C minor, op. 17 “Little Russian”: III. Scherzo. Allegro molto vivace5:22
  4. 4.Symphony no. 2 in C minor, op. 17 “Little Russian”: IV. Finale. Moderato assai - Presto10:37
Where to listen:Apple MusicYouTube MusicSpotify
Symphony no. 3 “Polish”Symphony no. 3 “Polish”1966
  1. 1.Symphony no. 3 in D, op. 29 “Polish”: 1st Movt: Introduzione e allegro
  2. 2.Symphony no. 3 in D, op. 29 “Polish”: 2nd Movt: Alla tedesca (Allegro moderato)
  3. 3.Symphony no. 3 in D, op. 29 “Polish”: 3rd Movt: Andante elegiaco
  4. 4.Symphony no. 3 in D, op. 29 “Polish”: 4th Movt: Scherzo (Allegro vivo)
  5. 5.Symphony no. 3 in D, op. 29 “Polish”: 5th Movt: Finale (Allegro con fuoco)
Where to listen:Apple MusicYouTube MusicSpotify
Symphony no. 4Symphony no. 41965

Tracklist not collected yet.

Where to listen:Apple MusicYouTube MusicSpotify
Luigi Boccherini: Cellokonsert B-dur / Joseph Haydn: Sinfonia Concertante B-dur op. 84 för violin, cello, oboe, fagott och orkesterLuigi Boccherini: Cellokonsert B-dur / Joseph Haydn: Sinfonia Concertante B-dur op. 84 för violin, cello, oboe, fagott och orkester1965

Tracklist not collected yet.

Where to listen:Apple MusicYouTube MusicSpotify
Manfred, op. 58Manfred, op. 581965
  1. 1.Manfred, op. 58: 1st Movt: Lento lugubre – Moderato con moto – Andante
  2. 2.Manfred, op. 58: 2nd Movt: Vivace con spirito
  3. 3.Manfred, op. 58: 3rd Movt: Andante con moto
  4. 4.Manfred, op. 58: 4th Movt: Allegro con fuoco
Where to listen:Apple MusicYouTube MusicSpotify
Symphonie Nr. 1 c-moll op. 68Symphonie Nr. 1 c-moll op. 681965
  1. 1.Symphonie Nr. 1 C-Moll Op. 68: Un Poco Sostenuto - Allegro
  2. 2.Symphonie Nr. 1 C-Moll Op. 68: Andante Sostenuto
  3. 3.Symphonie Nr. 1 C-Moll Op. 68: Un Poco Allegretto E Grazioso
  4. 4.Symphonie Nr. 1 C-Moll Op. 68: Adagio - Più Andante - Allegro Non Troppo, Ma Con Brio
Where to listen:Apple MusicYouTube MusicSpotify
Scheherazade / Capriccio espagnolScheherazade / Capriccio espagnol1964

Tracklist not collected yet.

Where to listen:Apple MusicYouTube MusicSpotify
Symphony no. 6 “Pathetique”Symphony no. 6 “Pathetique”1962

Tracklist not collected yet.

Where to listen:Apple MusicYouTube MusicSpotify
И. Стравинский: Симфония Псалмов / М. Мусоргский: Шесть ПесенИ. Стравинский: Симфония Псалмов / М. Мусоргский: Шесть Песен1962

Tracklist not collected yet.

Where to listen:Apple MusicYouTube MusicSpotify
Symphonie fantastiqueSymphonie fantastique1961

Tracklist not collected yet.

Where to listen:Apple MusicYouTube MusicSpotify
The Rite of SpringThe Rite of Spring1960

Tracklist not collected yet.

Where to listen:Apple MusicYouTube MusicSpotify
Debussy: La mer / Tänze für Harfe / Roussel: Bacchus et ArianeDebussy: La mer / Tänze für Harfe / Roussel: Bacchus et Ariane1960

Tracklist not collected yet.

Where to listen:Apple MusicYouTube MusicSpotify
Du fond de l’abîme / Psaume 24 / Psaume 129 / Vieille prière bouddhique / Pie JesuDu fond de l’abîme / Psaume 24 / Psaume 129 / Vieille prière bouddhique / Pie Jesu1960

Tracklist not collected yet.

Where to listen:Apple MusicYouTube MusicSpotify
Piano Concerto No. 2 in F Minor Op. 21 / Noches en los jardines de EspañaPiano Concerto No. 2 in F Minor Op. 21 / Noches en los jardines de España1960

Tracklist not collected yet.

Where to listen:Apple MusicYouTube MusicSpotify
Un portrait de la valseUn portrait de la valse1959

Tracklist not collected yet.

Where to listen:Apple MusicYouTube MusicSpotify
Symphonie ItalienneSymphonie Italienne1958

Tracklist not collected yet.

Where to listen:Apple MusicYouTube MusicSpotify
Bilder einer AustellungBilder einer Austellung1954

Tracklist not collected yet.

Where to listen:Apple MusicYouTube MusicSpotify

Gallery

Label

Record label
Philips Records
Record label
Philips Classics Records
Record label
Deutsche Grammophon

Achievements

Award
Grand Cross of the Order of Civil Merit

Similar artists

Archive

Passport
Country

UA

▸ Source: MusicBrainzUnverified
Born

1912-07-27

▸ Source: MusicBrainzUnverified
Died

1983-03-07

▸ Source: MusicBrainzUnverified
Instruments

piano

▸ Source: WikidataUnverified
Identifiers & aliases

Also known as: Igor Markevich, Ігор Маркевич, イーゴル・マルケヴィチ

Disambiguation

conductor

▸ Source: MusicBrainzUnverified
ISNI

0000000110379569

▸ Source: WikidataUnverified
Description

Russian conductor and composer (1912–1983)

▸ Source: WikidataUnverified
Extract from Wikipedia

Igor Borisovich Markevitch was a Russian composer and conductor who studied and worked in Paris and became a naturalized Italian and French citizen in 1947 and 1982 respectively. He was commissioned in 1929 for a piano concerto by impresario Sergei Diaghilev of the Ballets Russes.

▸ Source: Wikipedia
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Last.fm(powered by AudioScrobbler): 3.5K listeners, 22.9K playsas of 9/23/2026
as of 9/23/2026

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