Pavel Chesnokov

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Russian composer, choral conductor, and educator renowned for sacred choral works.Graduated from Moscow Conservatory (1917); composed over 500 choral pieces; authored seminal textbook 'The Choir and How to Direct It'; served as choirmaster at Moscow's Christ the Savior Cathedral; taught at Moscow Conservatory until death.
  • Chesnokov's sacred compositions were banned under Soviet religious suppression, forcing him to abandon church music composition despite deep personal faith.
  • Faced severe malnutrition during WWII Moscow famine; died of starvation in 1944 while still teaching at conservatory.
  • His magnum opus 'Salvation is Created' remains a global choral staple, composed during pre-revolutionary religious freedom.