The musician Alexander Glasunov (1865 1936) from Petersburg owes his musical career to fellow composer Milij Balakirev who put him in contact with Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov in 1880 for private studies. Only two years later Glasunov caused a sensation with the world premiere of his First Symphony, and very soon he was a nationally and internationally renowned composer. In the following years he quickly composed symphonic and chamber music works before in 1899 he was appointed first professor of instrumentation, then director of the Petersburg Conservatoire. He then had to devote more of his time to his educational and organizational tasks. 'Chant du ménestrel' Op. 71 was created in 1890. It is a lyrical and expressive, yet slightly melancholy setting which testifies to the melodic qualities of the composer – an ideal recital or encore piece.