RUSSIAN COMPOSER AND INDIAN MAHARAJA

Abstract

The article looks into one of the episodes of Russo-Indian relations in the middle of the XX c.: the patronage of Indian Maharaja of South-Indian native state of Mysore Rajachamarajendra Wadiyar (1919–1974) to Russian composer of classic music Nikolai Karlovitch Medtner (1879/80–1951). N. K. Medtner left Russia in 1921 to tour in Europe. However in Russia and in Europe the public and musicians were seeking for new forms and new sounds, classic compositions of Medtner were not popular, didn’t gain glory. His concert tour over the USA also turned out to be a failure. Great Britain was the only country where his talent was appreciated and the Medtner family decided to settle in London. He gained his living by giving concerts, teaching, etc. During the Second World War they had to move to the country, health of the aged composer was beginning to fail him. After the war the financial position of the family was very poor when Rajachamarajendra Wadiyar, Maharaja of South Indian native state, appeared with a proposal to subsidize making records of Medtner’s compositions. Rajachamarajendra Wadiyar was not a successor to the throne by birth, he was a nephew to the ruling Maharaja, meanwhile, as he was blessed with musical talent, he planned to become a professional pianist. Since in 1940 both the ruling maharaja and his own father died so he had to succeed to the throne. Maharaja Rajachamarajendra Wadiyar set up Medtner society to promote the compositions of Russian composer.