Creative Biography

Alina Bezenson (11 July 1971) was born in the city of Volkovysk. In 1990, she graduated from the Grodno Music College, majoring in domra under Yadviga Eduardovna Sergeyenko, and studied composition with the renowned composer and now clergyman, Archpriest Andrey Vasilyevich Bondarenko. In 1995, she graduated from the Belarusian State Academy of Music, and in 1997, completed her master’s degree in composition under the guidance of the eminent composer, People’s Artist of the Republic of Belarus, Professor Andrey Yuryevich Mdivani, earning a Master of Arts degree. Since 1995, she has taught composition at the Children’s School of Arts No. 1 in Minsk (becoming a top-tier teacher in 2010). Since 2016, she has taught composition and music theory disciplines in the preparatory department at the Belarusian State Academy of Music. Since 1996, she has been a member of the Belarusian Union of Composers, and since 2009, a member of the Union of Musical Figures of the Republic of Belarus. In 2010, she joined the board of the Belarusian Union of Composers. Her creative biography is included in the encyclopedia “Who is Who in the Republic of Belarus,” the book “Culture of Grodno Region,” and the books “Memory” (Volkovysk), “Composers of Belarus” (Minsk). Numerous articles about Bezenson’s work have appeared in newspapers and magazines (“Mastatstva,” “Culture,” “Nastaunickaja,” “LIM,” “Evening Minsk,” “Polymya,” “Maladosts,” and others). There are many recordings of interviews with Bezenson on Belarusian radio (channels: Culture, World, First, and others) and television (BT, ONT, STV). Documentary films featuring her include “Ecce Homo,” “Isnast,” “Cultural Life” with A. Yefremov, “When You Do Everything with Love” (Allatra TV), and “Composers of Belarus. Alina Bezenson” (BT3), among others.

Alina Bezenson has been awarded numerous diplomas (first-degree diploma “for best creative work at the city tour of the Republican competition of methodological and creative works for teachers”) and commendations from the Department of Culture of the Minsk City Executive Committee and the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Belarus. She is a recipient of the Federation of Trade Unions of Belarus’s jubilee badge (2010), the badge of the Ministry of Culture “For Contribution to the Development of Culture in the Republic of Belarus” (2017). She is also a state scholarship laureate and a first-degree laureate of the International Competition “Slavic Meetings” (B. Balashikha, Moscow Region, 2020), third-degree laureate of the All-Russian Composer Competition “Time of the Orchestra of Folk Instruments” (Yekaterinburg, 2022), first-degree laureate (choral work category), third-degree laureate (romance category) of the 9th International I.O. Dunaevsky Composer Competition (Moscow, 2022), laureate of the professional skill competition for educators “Factor of Success” (Minsk, 2023), first-degree laureate of the 5th All-Russian Composition Competition named after S.S. Prokofiev (Moscow, 2024), first-degree laureate of the III International Performers and Composers Competition “KOGAN’S COMPETITION” (Almaty, Republic of Kazakhstan).

Alina Bezenson’s works have become a staple in the repertoire of students at music schools, colleges (often as required pieces in competitions), university students, soloists, and ensembles of the Belarusian State Philharmonic and Belarusian State Radio and Television. Her music is performed not only in Belarus but also in many countries worldwide (Russia, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Germany, Austria, Belgium, the Netherlands, China, Mexico, Tunisia). Performers of her works are laureates of international, national, and city competitions.

Alina Bezenson’s compositions are frequently the subject of research for thesis and academic work by students in higher and secondary specialized educational institutions, as well as university lecturers in Belarus, Russia, Ukraine, Poland, and Austria. She has repeatedly participated in seminars and lectures addressing issues of promoting Belarusian music and has organized numerous concerts featuring works by Belarusian composers.

The music of Alina Bezenson has served as the basis for documentary films by director Vladimir Orlov, such as “Near the Red Church” (2006), “Intersections in Space and Time” (2008), and by director Alena Sinitsa, “Sheltered Under Maple Shadows” (2014).

The musical language of Alina Bezenson’s works is distinguished by the expressiveness of her melodies, logical and vivid thematic development, inventiveness in intonation, variety of rhythmic patterns and polyphonic techniques, exploration of unusual harmonies and original sonorities, dynamism in movement and form development, and high spirituality with profound philosophical meaning. Her music is expressive, emotional, and deeply touches the hearts of listeners.