Aleksandr Verzhbilovich

Aleksandr Valerianovich Verzhbilovich (Russian: Александр Валерианович Вержбилович; 8 January 1850 [O.S. 27 December 1849] – 15 March [O.S. 2 March] 1911) was a Russian classical cellist of Polish descent.

His name also appears as Verzhbilovic, Verzhibilovic, Vierzbilovich, Wierzbillowicz, Wierzbiłłowicz, Wierzbilovich, Wierzbilovicz, and Wierzbilowicz. His first name is sometimes given as Anton.

Verzhbilovich had a Polish father, spent a considerable time performing concerts in Poland during his career, and at least one major source says he was born in Warsaw and was educated there. These would explain why various references refer to him as a Polish musician. However, the preponderance of sources say he was born and died in Russia, and was based in that country throughout his life.

Aleksandr Verzhbilovich was born in Saint Petersburg on 8 January 1850 (ns). He was a student of Karl Davydov at the Saint Petersburg Conservatory. He was quickly recognised as an outstanding performer, and appeared in concert with names such as Anton Rubinstein, Vasily Safonov, Alexander Siloti, Anna Yesipova, Felix Blumenfeld, Sergei Rachmaninoff, Hieronymus Weickmann, Leopold Auer and others. He often travelled to Poland, where he was a specialist in music for cello solo, but always concluded his recitals with trios with the violinist Stanisław Barcewicz and the pianist Aleksander Michałowski.

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