Alexander Veprik

Full biography Alexander Veprik

Alexander Veprik was a prominent Russian composer born on February 23, 1899, in the city of Yekaterinoslav in the Russian Empire (now Dnipro, Ukraine). He is considered one of the greatest composers of the "Jewish school" and helped found the Society for Jewish Folk Music in St. Petersburg in 1908.

Despite his accomplishments as a composer, Veprik faced persecution and suppression under Stalin's regime for his "formalist" musical style. He spent four years in a gulag during the early 1950s before being released due to poor health.

Veprik's compositions are known for their combination of traditional Jewish melodies with modern musical techniques. His works include orchestral pieces, chamber music, and vocal music. Notable works include his Piano Sonata No. 2 and his Symphony No. 2, which incorporate Jewish folk themes.

In recent years, Veprik's music has received renewed attention and appreciation. His compositions have been performed and recorded internationally, and he is remembered as an important figure in Jewish music history.