Composer of ballets, piano music, and nationalist songs, born in St Petersburg, Russia. He left law school for the St Petersburg Conservatory to study under Rimsky-Korsakov. In 1901 he became conductor of the Belaiev Concerts, and took charge of opera at the Maryinsky Theatre. From 1908 to 1914 he worked with Diaghilev, conducting ballet and opera throughout Europe, then became director of the Tiflis Conservatory (1918--21). His works include operas, ballets, symphonies, other orchestral music, and piano pieces.