GRETCHANINOV, ALEXANDER TIKHONOVICH ), Russian composer, was born in Moscow on Oct.
26, 1864. He was first a pupil of Safonov at Moscow conserva torium and afterwards entered Petersburg conservatorium, where he studied theory and composition under Rimsky-Korsakov. He is known principally as a composer of songs but has also written two operas, Dobrinya Nikitich and Sister Beatrice; incidental music to plays ; a string quartet and an unpublished symphony. His opera Sister Beatrice gave offence by its representation of the Virgin and had to be withdrawn. His vocal music includes: Songs, opp. I, 5, 7, 15, 2o; "musical picture" for bass solo, chorus and orch.; and 12 choruses, opp. 4, 10, I I, 12, 16.