Mikhail Vielgorsky Driven by a great interest in everything new, Vielgorsky met Ludwig van Beethoven in Vienna and was among the first eight listeners to perform his Symphony No. 6 “Pastoral” Opus 68. Throughout his life, he remained a fervent admirer of the German composer.

He was one of the first in Russia to master large sonata-symphonic forms, writing two symphonies (the first was performed in 1825 in Moscow), a string quartet, and two overtures. He composed variations for cello and orchestra, piano pieces, romances, vocal ensembles, as well as a series of choral works. Vielgorsky’s romances became very popular in Russia, and one of his romances (“The Lovers”) was promptly set to music by Mikhail Glinka.

Vielgorsky also wrote an opera, “The Gypsies,” based on a plot tied to events of the Patriotic War of 1812 (libretto by V. Zhukovsky and V. Sollogub).

Vielgorsky’s house became a sort of musical center. True connoisseurs of music gathered there, performing many compositions in world premieres. In Vielgorsky’s home, Franz Liszt played for the first time from the manuscript of Glinka’s “Ruslan and Lyudmila.” The poet Dmitry Venevitinov called Vielgorsky’s house “the academy of musical taste,” while the famous French composer Hector Berlioz, who visited Russia only twice, called the house “a small temple of the fine arts.”

Vielgorsky managed to bring together many musicians at his estate in Luizino, in the province of Kursk, far from the artistic life of the capital. All nine of Beethoven’s symphonies were performed at his estate during evening salons.

Vielgorsky greatly appreciated Glinka’s music and considered his opera “Ivan Susanin,” later more commonly known as “A Life for the Tsar,” a masterpiece. He supported many progressive Russian figures. In 1838, together with the poet Vladimir Zhukovsky, he organized a lottery, the proceeds of which went to the redemption of the serfs of the Ukrainian poet and politician Taras Grigorovich Shevchenko.

Mikhail Vielgorsky died on September 9, 1856, in Moscow. His son-in-law, Count V. Sollogub, gave an account of his gentle and unpretentious personality:

“Count Vielgorsky passed unnoticed in Russian life; even in the society in which he lived, he was appreciated only by a few. He did not seek fame, avoided conflict, but despite this—or perhaps precisely because of it—he was an extraordinary person: philosopher, critic, linguist, doctor, theologian, hermeticist, honorary member of all Masonic lodges, soul of all societies, family man, epicurean, courtier, dignitary, artist, musician, companion, judge—he was a living encyclopedia of the deepest knowledge, an example of the tenderest feelings and the most playful mind.”

He is buried in the Lazarevskoye Cemetery of the Alexander Nevsky Lavra in Saint Petersburg.

Mikhail Vielgorsky knew Maria Sergeyevna Durnovo (Griboyedova), a skilled pianist and sister of the famous Russian writer Alexander Griboyedov. Maria recounted:

“Very often, the writer would come into his sister’s room. In the spring of 1823, while the famous comedy remained a secret to the public and most friends, Mikhail Vielgorsky stumbled upon several pages of poetry written by Alexander Griboyedov while assembling sheets of music at Maria Sergeyevna’s piano. Maria wanted to hide these pages, discovered accidentally, but it was too late. The news of the new comedy quickly spread through Moscow from the mouth of the well-known musician of the time.”

The poem was Woe from Wit, still considered a “classic” in Russia and other Russian-speaking countries.

Vielgorsky’s first wife was the maid of honor Catherine Biron (1793–1813), granddaughter of the last Duke of Courland. This marriage was facilitated by Empress Maria Feodorovna. The wedding took place in February 1812 in the Grand Church of the Winter Palace. This marriage strengthened Vielgorsky’s position at court.

In the memoirs of a contemporary, Ekaterina Biron is described as a sweet and naive girl who loved lace and dresses. After the wedding, the Vielgorskys moved to Moscow, and soon the Patriotic War began. Fleeing the enemy, they left for one of their estates. In January 1813, the Vielgorskys decided to return to Saint Petersburg. Catherine was pregnant. Their return passed through a burned and desolate Moscow. Upon reaching Moscow, the Vielgorskys settled in the house of Prince Golitsyn, where Catherine died in childbirth. A relative wrote of this tragedy:

“The fate of poor Katisha can serve as a lesson for those who want to take advantage. Fearing to give birth far from Petersburg, that is, without medical help, she embarked on a journey that cost her life. The Vielgorskys set out on a very muddy road, so Katisha arrived in Ryazan completely exhausted. During the journey, she suffered the greatest torment… Even healthy men from Moscow complained of being completely worn out. Even the unfortunate Vielgorsky had a hard time. Somehow they reached Moscow, where the poor woman suffered for forty hours and finally gave birth to a daughter. The day after the birth, she fell into delirium… For six days she suffered and died without communion… It is a pity for Michel, especially because he attributes this tragedy to himself.”

In 1816, Mikhail Vielgorsky secretly married the elder sister of his first wife, Louise Biron (1791–1853), maid of honor to the Empress Maria. Such a marriage, according to church rules, was considered illegal. Because of this act, he fell into disgrace and was forced to leave for his estate in Luizino, in the province of Kursk. The Vielgorskys lived on this estate for several years. All their children were born there.