Semyon Kozolupov

Semyon Matveyevich Kozolupov was a distinguished Russian and Soviet cellist and music pedagogue, recognized as a People's Artist of the RSFSR in 1946. Born in the stanitsa of Krasnokholmskaya into a Cossack family, he initially began his musical training on the violin. However, due to a dislocation of his left arm, he was unable to continue with the violin and switched to the cello. His first teacher in Orenburg was the amateur musician and Russian army colonel V. M. von Koch. From 1904 to 1907, he studied at the St. Petersburg Conservatory under A. V. Verzhbilovich and I. I. Zeifert.

Kozolupov enjoyed a successful performance career, serving as a soloist with the Bolshoi Theatre orchestra from 1908 to 1912 and again from 1924 to 1931. In 1911, he won a cello competition in Moscow celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Russian Musical Society. He was also an active chamber musician, participating in the Moscow String Quartet and performing in various other ensembles. His playing was noted for its great virtuosity and a deep, full tone.

He is perhaps best known for his significant pedagogical contributions to the Russian cello school. He taught at the Saratov Conservatory (serving as director from 1921 to 1922) and the Kiev Conservatory before joining the faculty of the Moscow Conservatory in 1922. He became a professor in 1923 and headed the cello department from 1936 to 1954. His illustrious students included Mstislav Rostropovich, Svyatoslav Knushevitsky, Fyodor Luzanov, Valentin Feygin, and Valentin Berlinsky.

In addition to teaching and performing, Kozolupov worked as an editor, preparing many compositions for publication, including works by Baroque composers and lesser-known Russian authors. He died in Moscow on April 18, 1961, and was buried at the Vvedenskoye Cemetery. His musical dynasty continued through his family; his wife was a pianist, and all three of his daughters became musicians and teachers at the Moscow Conservatory.

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