Arkady Kerzin

Arkady Kerzin

1856 (Ivanovo-Voznesensk) — 1914 (Moscow)

Arkady Mikhailovich Kerzin (1856–1914) was a Moscow lawyer and music enthusiast. He graduated from the law faculty of Moscow University in 1886.

With his wife, pianist Maria Kerzin, he founded and led the Circle of Russian Music Lovers in Moscow in 1896. He devoted much of his life and personal funds to promoting Russian music. The circle held more than 100 concerts before it ceased operating in 1912, presenting Russian vocal and instrumental music and, at times, symphonic works.

Kerzin wrote articles and pamphlets about Pyotr Tchaikovsky, Modest Mussorgsky, Feodor Chaliapin, and Sergei Rachmaninoff. Rachmaninoff dedicated his 15 Romances, Op. 26, to Arkady and Maria Kerzin; the set received its first performance at a circle concert in 1907.