The most famous composers of the world: a list of names, a brief overview of the works. Great Classical Composers: A List of the Best

Music has accompanied a person all his life. This art was created so long ago that even the approximate time of the appearance of the first works is very difficult to name. Lullabies, folk songs - probably, these genres are familiar to each of us. Or, at least, were familiar to each of our ancestors. When music is created by the people, it is, of course, good. But knowledge of the musical "craft", so to speak, was not for everyone. Therefore, folk motives and melodies are rather primitive. But later came the era of great composers who created incredible masterpieces. Brilliant and great composers- everyone really needs to know them.

Composers are masters of their craft. These people really know almost everything about music and its aspects. In the history of art, there were simply a gigantic number of them. No one can remember every worker. But from the entire “crowd” of creative people, some individuals stood out who are simply unique and unrepeatable in their own way. Usually people call such geniuses. History will remember them forever, and people will glorify them until the end of days. It is about them and their works that will be discussed later.

Great Composers of All Time #5. Johann Sebastian Bach

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The first composer on the list is a virtuoso organist, the most striking example of the Baroque era in music - Johann Sebastian Bach. He is famous for his mastery of polyphony (polyphony is polyphonic music). Many motives are revealed in his music, actual genres of his time appear, there is an extraordinary structure. Bach's music, according to many composers, is distinguished by its depth and originality. Bach could make his music feel fear, joy and other emotions. The works of the creator are truly the flourishing of baroque culture and the flourishing of music in general.

Great Composers of All Time #4. Niccolo Paganini

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Niccolo Paganini is the most mysterious violinist in the world, originally from Italy. But then the question is brewing: “Why mysterious?” Riddles around the violinist's playing arose during his lifetime. They still exist. The composer was afraid to reveal the secrets of his playing, his musical creations. The motives for this paranoia are still unknown. His game for its time was simply amazing. No one has ever achieved such accuracy. Paganini showed the real harmony of a man with a violin. Incredible technique. The brilliance of the game, the variety of movements and the use of the bow. Many people try to reach his level. And his music is shrouded in features of the composer himself and stories about him. New effects, new sounds, new style of play. The music of this genius is an innovation in the world of violin music.

Great Composers of All Time #3. Frederic Chopin

Schumann on Chopin: Hats off, gentlemen! You have a genius!

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The most famous representative of musical art in Poland. virtuoso pianist. And just a good man - Frederic Chopin. His name symbolizes romance in music, and his works speak for themselves instead of a thousand words. Chopin's playing began at an early age. The boy struck Poland at the age of seven. He was called the Polish Mozart. And it is. After all, polonaises, mazurkas, waltzes and other compositions symbolize the spirit of Poland. Most of all, of course, the heart and spirit of the Polish revolution is demonstrated by the famous “Revolutionary Study”. Chopin means a lot not only for his homeland, but for the whole world. Such virtuoso pianists are still hard to find. It is said that Frederick could produce sound from the key 30 in different ways, and this is amazing. And in his music you can hear familiar and well-played motifs.

Great Composers of All Time #2. Ludwig van Beethoven

Mozart on Beethoven: Pay attention to this man, he will make the world talk about him!

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The next composer embodied new ideas, a new thought, a storm of emotions in his works. His music is something that has the character of a real struggle. Perhaps a struggle between good and evil. The life of Ludwig van Beethoven was full of bitterness and sadness.

Beethoven was looking for a new direction in music. And he found it. After all, Beethoven is the creator of modern piano music. He was the first to use new ways of playing the piano. Although the composer was already struck by deafness in his youth, he did not give up. In his works, he demonstrated his thoughts to the whole of Europe. Unfortunately, Beethoven's work was not fully appreciated during his lifetime. But after his death, the whole world recognized this genius. His music is still performed by orchestras in all institutions of the higher school of music in the world. And her motives make you think about life.

Great Composers of All Time #1. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

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Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart is known to everyone. Even those people who are very, very far from music know the famous name. This composer lived only 35 years, but in this short period he managed to write over 600 compositions. At the moment, Mozart is recognized as an absolute genius in music. The skill of not only writing works, but also playing the piano is set as an example for every person who is somehow connected with art. His works reflect the motifs of German and Austrian music. And characteristic notes can be recognized from thousands of other works. Mozart showed the soul and heart of music. He lived for music himself. She accompanied him until his death. By the way, there are many legends around the death of the composer and many different versions are given. But you should not believe everyone, because even scientists believe that Mozart died not at the hands of Salieri, but from an illness.

Music is diverse, its creators are creators. We must remember those people who inspired artists, politicians, generals and ordinary people to exploits. Indeed, without music, a person loses the support that holds him in moments of weakness.

That's all we have. We are very glad that you have looked at our site and spent some time enriching yourself with new knowledge.

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Probably, all great composers have a special ear, a special sensitivity to tone and melody, which allowed them to create music that is enjoyed by dozens of generations not only of their compatriots, but also of classical music fans all over the world. If you still doubt whether you like classical music, then you need to meet with, and you will see that, in fact, you are already a longtime fan of beautiful music.

And today we will talk about the 10 most famous composers in the world.

Johann Sebastian Bach

The first place is deservedly owned. A genius was born in Germany. The most talented composer wrote music for harpsichord and organ. The composer did not create a new style in music. But he was able to create perfection in all the styles of his time. He is the author of over 1000 essays. In his works Bach combined different musical styles with which he met throughout his life. Often musical romanticism was combined with the Baroque style. In life Johann Bach as a composer not receiving the recognition he deserved, interest in his music arose almost 100 years after his death. Today he is called one of the greatest composers ever living on earth. His uniqueness as a person, teacher and musician was reflected in his music. Bach laid the foundations of modern and contemporary music, dividing the history of music into pre-Bach and post-Bach. It is believed that music Bach gloomy and gloomy. His music is rather fundamental and solid, restrained and concentrated. Like the reflections of a mature, wise person. Creation Bach influenced many composers. Some of them took an example from his works or used themes from them. And musicians all over the world play music Bach admiring her beauty and perfection. One of the most notorious works "Brandenburg Concerts" is excellent proof that music Bach cannot be considered too gloomy:

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Rightfully considered a genius. At the age of 4 he already played the violin and harpsichord freely, at the age of 6 he began to compose music, and at 7 he already skillfully improvised on the harpsichord, violin and organ, competing with famous musicians. Already at the age of 14 Mozart- a recognized composer, and at the age of 15 - a member of the music academies of Bologna and Verona. By nature, he had a phenomenal ear for music, memory and the ability to improvise. He created an amazing number of works - 23 operas, 18 sonatas, 23 piano concertos, 41 symphonies and much more. The composer didn't want to imitate, he tried to create a new model, reflecting the new personality of the music. It is no coincidence that music in Germany Mozart called "the music of the soul", in his works the composer showed the features of his sincere, loving nature. The greatest melodist attached special importance to the opera. operas Mozart- an era in the development of this type of musical art. Mozart widely recognized as one of the greatest composers: his uniqueness lies in the fact that he worked in all musical forms of his time and in all achieved the highest success. One of the most recognizable works "Turkish March":

Ludwig van Beethoven

Another great German was an important figure of the romantic-classical period. Even those who know nothing about classical music know about him. Beethoven is one of the most performed and respected composers in the world. The great composer witnessed the grandiose upheavals that took place in Europe and redrawn its map. These great coups, revolutions and military confrontations are reflected in the composer's work, especially symphonic. He embodied in music pictures of the heroic struggle. In immortal works Beethoven you will hear the struggle for freedom and brotherhood of people, unshakable faith in the victory of light over darkness, as well as dreams of freedom and happiness of mankind. One of the most famous and amazing facts of his life is that the ear disease developed into complete deafness, but despite this, the composer continued to write music. He was also considered one of the best pianists. Music Beethoven surprisingly simple and accessible to the understanding of the widest range of listeners. Generations change, and even eras, and music Beethoven still excites and pleases the hearts of people. One of his best work - "Moonlight Sonata":

Richard Wagner

With the name of a great Richard Wagner most often associated with his masterpieces "Wedding Choir" or "Ride of the Valkyries". But he is known not only as a composer, but also as a philosopher. Wagner considered his musical works as a way of expressing a certain philosophical concept. WITH Wagner a new musical era of operas began. The composer tried to bring the opera closer to life, music for him is only a means. Richard Wagner- the creator of musical drama, the reformer of operas and the art of conducting, the innovator of the harmonic and melodic language of music, the creator of new forms of musical expression. Wagner- the author of the world's longest solo aria (14 minutes 46 seconds) and the world's longest classical opera (5 hours and 15 minutes). In life Richard Wagner was considered a controversial person who was either adored or hated. And often both at the same time. Mystical symbolism and anti-Semitism made him Hitler's favorite composer, but blocked the way for his music to Israel. However, neither supporters nor opponents of the composer deny his greatness as a composer. Great music from the very beginning Richard Wagner absorbs you without a trace, leaving no room for disputes and disagreements:

Franz Schubert

The Austrian composer is a musical genius, one of the best song composers. He was only 17 when he wrote his first song. In one day he could write 8 songs. During his creative life, he created more than 600 compositions based on poems by more than 100 great poets, including Goethe, Schiller and Shakespeare. That's why Franz Schubert in the top 10. Although creativity Schubert very diverse, in terms of the use of genres, ideas and reincarnations, vocal-song lyrics prevail and determine in his music. Before Schubert the song was considered an insignificant genre, and it was he who elevated it to the degree of artistic perfection. Moreover, he combined seemingly unconnected song and chamber-symphonic music, which gave rise to a new direction of lyrical-romantic symphony. Vocal-song lyrics are a world of simple and deep, subtle and even intimate human experiences, expressed not by words, but by sound. Franz Schubert lived a very short life, only 31 years old. The fate of the composer's works is no less tragic than his life. After death Schubert many unpublished manuscripts remained, stored in bookcases and drawers of relatives and friends. Even those closest to him did not know everything he wrote, and for many years he was recognized mainly only as the king of song. Some of the composer's works were published only half a century after his death. One of the most beloved and famous works Franz Schubert – "Evening Serenade":

Robert Schumann

With a no less tragic fate, the German composer is one of the best composers of the romantic era. He created amazingly beautiful music. To get an idea of 19th-century German Romanticism, just listen to "Carnival" Robert Schumann. He was able to break out of the musical traditions of the classical era, creating his own interpretation of the romantic style. Robert Schumann was gifted with many talents, and even for a long time could not decide between music, poetry, journalism and philology (he was a polyglot and freely translated from English, French and Italian). He was also an amazing pianist. And yet the main vocation and passion Schuman there was music. His poetic and deeply psychological music largely reflects the duality of the composer's nature, an outburst of passion and a retreat into the world of dreams, awareness of the vulgar reality and striving for the ideal. One of the masterpieces Robert Schumann which everyone needs to hear:

Frederic Chopin

Perhaps the most famous Pole in the world of music. Neither before nor after the composer was a musical genius of this level born in Poland. The Poles are incredibly proud of their great compatriot, and in his work, the composer often sings of his homeland, admires the beauty of landscapes, laments the tragic past, and dreams of a great future. Frederic Chopin- one of the few composers who wrote music exclusively for the piano. There are no operas or symphonies in his creative heritage, but piano pieces are presented in all their diversity. His works form the basis of the repertoire of many famous pianists. Frederic Chopin is a Polish composer who is also known as a talented pianist. He lived only 39 years, but managed to create many masterpieces: ballads, preludes, waltzes, mazurkas, nocturnes, polonaises, etudes, sonatas and much, much more. One of them - "Ballad No. 1, in G minor".

Franz Liszt

He is one of the greatest composers in the world. He lived a relatively long and surprisingly rich life, knew poverty and wealth, met love and faced contempt. In addition to talent from birth, he had a fantastic capacity for work. Franz Liszt deserved not only the admiration of connoisseurs and fans of music. Both as a composer and as a pianist, he received universal approval from European critics of the 19th century. He created over 1300 works and like Frederic Chopin preferred works for the piano. brilliant pianist, Franz Liszt he knew how to reproduce the sound of an entire orchestra on the piano, masterfully improvised, had a fantastic memory of musical compositions, he had no equal in reading notes from a sheet. He had a pathetic style of performance, which was also reflected in his music, emotionally passionate and heroically upbeat, creating colorful musical pictures and making an indelible impression on the listeners. The hallmark of the composer are piano concertos. One of these works. One of the most famous works Liszt – "Dreams of Love":

Johannes Brahms

A significant figure in the romantic period in music is Johannes Brahms. Listen and love music Brahms It is considered good taste and a characteristic sign of a romantic nature. Brahms did not write a single opera, but he created works in all other genres. special glory Brahms brought his symphonies. Already in the first works, the composer's originality is manifested, which eventually transformed into his own style. Considering all works Brahms, it cannot be said that the composer was strongly influenced by the work of his predecessors or contemporaries. And in terms of creativity Brahms often compared to Bach And Beethoven. Perhaps this comparison is justified in the sense that the work of the three great Germans represents the culmination of an entire era in the history of music. Unlike Franz Liszt life Johannes Brahms was devoid of turbulent events. He preferred quiet creativity, during his lifetime he earned recognition of his talent and universal respect, and was also awarded considerable honors. The most outstanding music in which the creative power Brahms had an especially vivid and original effect, is his "German Requiem", a work that the author created for 10 years and dedicated to his mother. In your music Brahms sings of the eternal values of human life, which lie in the beauty of nature, the art of the great talents of the past, the culture of their homeland.

Giuseppe Verdi

What is the top ten composers without?! The Italian composer is best known for his operas. He became the national glory of Italy, his work is the culmination of the development of Italian opera. His achievements and merits as a composer cannot be overestimated. Until now, a century after the death of the author, his works remain the most popular, widely performed, known to both connoisseurs and lovers of classical music.

For Verdi Drama became the most important thing in opera. The musical images of Rigoletto, Aida, Violetta, Desdemona created by the composer organically combine bright melody and depth of characters, democratic and refined musical characteristics, violent passions and bright dreams. Verdi was a real psychologist in understanding human passions. His music is nobility and power, amazing beauty and harmony, inexpressibly beautiful melodies, wonderful arias and duets. Passions boil, comedy and tragedy intertwine and merge together. Plots of operas, according to Verdi, should be "original, interesting and ... passionate, with passion above all else." And most of his works are serious and tragic, demonstrate emotional dramatic situations, and the music of the great Verdi gives expressiveness to what is happening and emphasizes the accents of the situation. Having absorbed all the best that was achieved by the Italian opera school, he did not deny operatic traditions, but reformed Italian opera, filled it with realism, and gave it the unity of the whole. At the same time, he did not declare his reform, did not write articles about it, but simply wrote operas in a new way. Triumphal procession of one of the masterpieces Verdi- opera - swept through the Italian scenes and continued in Europe, as well as in Russia and America, forcing even skeptics to recognize the talent of the great composer.

10 most famous composers in the world updated: April 13, 2019 by: Elena

Listen to something from the classics - what could be better?! Especially on weekends, when you want to relax, forget about the worries of the day, the worries of the work week, dream about the beautiful, and just cheer yourself up. Just think, the classics were created by brilliant authors so long ago that it’s hard to believe that something can survive so many years. And these works are still loved and listened to, they create arrangements and modern interpretations. Even in modern processing, the works of brilliant composers remain classical music. As Vanessa Mae admits, classics are genius, and all genius cannot be boring. Probably, all great composers have a special ear, a special sensitivity to tone and melody, which allowed them to create music that is enjoyed by dozens of generations not only of their compatriots, but also of classical music fans all over the world. If you are still in doubt if you love classical music, then you need to meet Benjamin Zander and you will see that in fact, you are already a longtime fan of beautiful music.

And today we will talk about the 10 most famous composers in the world.

Johann Sebastian Bach

The first place is deservedly Johann Sebastian Bach. A genius was born in Germany. The most talented composer wrote music for harpsichord and organ. The composer did not create a new style in music. But he was able to create perfection in all the styles of his time. He is the author of over 1000 essays. In his works Bach combined different musical styles with which he met throughout his life. Often musical romanticism was combined with the Baroque style. In life Johann Bach as a composer not receiving the recognition he deserved, interest in his music arose almost 100 years after his death. Today he is called one of the greatest composers ever living on earth. His uniqueness as a person, teacher and musician was reflected in his music. Bach laid the foundations of modern and contemporary music, dividing the history of music into pre-Bach and post-Bach. It is believed that music Bach gloomy and gloomy. His music is rather fundamental and solid, restrained and concentrated. Like the reflections of a mature, wise person. Creation Bach influenced many composers. Some of them took an example from his works or used themes from them. And musicians all over the world play music Bach admiring her beauty and perfection. One of the most notorious works "Brandenburg Concerts"- excellent proof that music Bach cannot be considered too gloomy:

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart rightfully considered a genius. At the age of 4 he already played the violin and harpsichord freely, at the age of 6 he began to compose music, and at 7 he already skillfully improvised on the harpsichord, violin and organ, competing with famous musicians. Already at the age of 14 Mozart- a recognized composer, and at the age of 15 - a member of the music academies of Bologna and Verona. By nature, he had a phenomenal ear for music, memory and the ability to improvise. He created an astonishing number of works - 23 operas, 18 sonatas, 23 piano concertos, 41 symphonies and much more. The composer didn't want to imitate, he tried to create a new model, reflecting the new personality of the music. It is no coincidence that music in Germany Mozart called "the music of the soul", in his works the composer showed the features of his sincere, loving nature. The greatest melodist attached special importance to the opera. operas Mozart- an epoch in the development of this type of musical art. Mozart widely recognized as one of the greatest composers: his uniqueness lies in the fact that he worked in all musical forms of his time and in all achieved the highest success. One of the most recognizable works "Turkish March":

Ludwig van Beethoven

Another great German Ludwig van Beethoven was an important figure of the Romantic-classical period. Even those who know nothing about classical music know about him. Beethoven is one of the most performed and respected composers in the world. The great composer witnessed the grandiose upheavals that took place in Europe and redrawn its map. These great coups, revolutions and military confrontations are reflected in the composer's work, especially symphonic. He embodied in music pictures of the heroic struggle. In immortal works Beethoven you will hear the struggle for freedom and brotherhood of people, unshakable faith in the victory of light over darkness, as well as dreams of freedom and happiness of mankind. One of the most famous and amazing facts of his life is that the ear disease developed into complete deafness, but despite this, the composer continued to write music. He was also considered one of the best pianists. Music Beethoven surprisingly simple and accessible to the understanding of the widest range of listeners. Generations change, and even eras, and music Beethoven still excites and pleases the hearts of people. One of his best work - "Moonlight Sonata":

Richard Wagner

Franz Schubert

Austrian composer Franz Schubert- musical genius, one of the best song composers. He was only 17 when he wrote his first song. In one day he could write 8 songs. During his creative life, he created more than 600 compositions based on poems by more than 100 great poets, including Goethe, Schiller and Shakespeare. That's why Franz Schubert in the top 10. Although creativity Schubert very diverse, in terms of the use of genres, ideas and reincarnations, vocal-song lyrics prevail and determine in his music. Before Schubert the song was considered an insignificant genre, and it was he who elevated it to the degree of artistic perfection. Moreover, he combined seemingly unconnected song and chamber-symphonic music, which gave rise to a new direction of lyrical-romantic symphony. Vocal-song lyrics are a world of simple and deep, subtle and even intimate human experiences, expressed not by words, but by sound. Franz Schubert lived a very short life, only 31 years old. The fate of the composer's works is no less tragic than his life. After death Schubert many unpublished manuscripts remained, stored in bookcases and drawers of relatives and friends. Even those closest to him did not know everything he wrote, and for many years he was recognized mainly only as the king of song. Some of the composer's works were published only half a century after his death. One of the most beloved and famous works Franz Schubert - "Evening Serenade":

Robert Schumann

With a no less tragic fate, the German composer Robert Schumann- one of the best composers of the romantic era. He created amazingly beautiful music. To get an idea of 19th-century German Romanticism, just listen to "Carnival" Robert Schumann. He was able to break out of the musical traditions of the classical era, creating his own interpretation of the romantic style. Robert Schumann was gifted with many talents, and even for a long time could not decide between music, poetry, journalism and philology (he was a polyglot and freely translated from English, French and Italian). He was also an amazing pianist. And yet the main vocation and passion Schuman there was music. His poetic and deeply psychological music largely reflects the duality of the composer's nature, an outburst of passion and a retreat into the world of dreams, awareness of the vulgar reality and striving for the ideal. One of the masterpieces Robert Schumann which everyone needs to hear:

Frederic Chopin

Frederic Chopin, perhaps the most famous Pole in the world of music. Neither before nor after the composer was a musical genius of this level born in Poland. The Poles are incredibly proud of their great compatriot, and in their work Chopin more than once glorifies the motherland, admires the beauty of landscapes, laments the tragic past, dreams of a great future. Frederic Chopin- one of the few composers who wrote music exclusively for the piano. There are no operas or symphonies in his creative heritage, but piano pieces are presented in all their diversity. Artworks Chopin- the basis of the repertoire of many famous pianists. Frederic Chopin- Polish composer, who is also known as a talented pianist. He lived only 39 years, but managed to create many masterpieces: ballads, preludes, waltzes, mazurkas, nocturnes, polonaises, etudes, sonatas and much, much more. One of them - "Ballad No. 1, in G minor".

The Russian school of composers, whose traditions were continued by the Soviet and today's Russian schools, began in the 19th century with composers who combined European musical art with Russian folk melodies, linking together the European form and the Russian spirit.

A lot can be said about each of these famous people, all of them have not simple, and sometimes tragic fates, but in this review we have tried to give only a brief description of the life and work of composers.

1. Mikhail Ivanovich Glinka

(1804-1857)

Mikhail Ivanovich Glinka while composing the opera Ruslan and Lyudmila. 1887, artist Ilya Efimovich Repin

“In order to create beauty, one must be pure in soul.”

Mikhail Ivanovich Glinka is the founder of Russian classical music and the first domestic classical composer to achieve world fame. His works, based on the centuries-old traditions of Russian folk music, were a new word in the musical art of our country.

Born in the Smolensk province, educated in St. Petersburg. The formation of the worldview and the main idea of Mikhail Glinka's work was facilitated by direct communication with such personalities as A.S. Pushkin, V.A. Zhukovsky, A.S. Griboyedov, A.A. Delvig. The creative impetus to his work was added by a long-term trip to Europe in the early 1830s and meetings with the leading composers of the time - V. Bellini, G. Donizetti, F. Mendelssohn and later with G. Berlioz, J. Meyerbeer.

Success came to M.I. Glinka in 1836, after staging the opera "Ivan Susanin" ("Life for the Tsar"), which was enthusiastically received by everyone, for the first time in world music, Russian choral art and European symphonic and opera practice were organically combined, and a hero similar to Susanin also appeared, whose image summarizes the best features of the national character.

VF Odoevsky described the opera as "a new element in Art, and a new period begins in its history - the period of Russian music."

The second opera, the epic Ruslan and Lyudmila (1842), which was worked on against the backdrop of Pushkin's death and in the difficult living conditions of the composer, due to the profoundly innovative nature of the work, was ambiguously received by the audience and the authorities, and brought M.I. Glinka heavy experiences. After that, he traveled a lot, living alternately in Russia and abroad, without stopping composing. Romances, symphonic and chamber works remained in his legacy. In the 1990s, Mikhail Glinka's "Patriotic Song" was the official anthem of the Russian Federation.

Quote about M.I. Glinka:“The entire Russian symphonic school, like the whole oak in an acorn, is contained in the symphonic fantasy “Kamarinskaya”. P.I. Tchaikovsky

Interesting fact: Mikhail Ivanovich Glinka was not distinguished by good health, despite this he was very easy-going and knew geography very well, perhaps if he had not become a composer, he would have become a traveler. He knew six foreign languages, including Persian.

2. Alexander Porfiryevich Borodin

(1833-1887)

Alexander Porfiryevich Borodin, one of the leading Russian composers of the second half of the 19th century, in addition to his talent as a composer, was a chemist, doctor, teacher, critic and had a literary talent.

Born in St. Petersburg, from childhood, everyone around him noted his unusual activity, enthusiasm and abilities in various directions, primarily in music and chemistry.

A.P. Borodin is a Russian nugget composer, he did not have professional musician teachers, all his achievements in music are due to independent work on mastering the technique of composing.

The formation of A.P. Borodin was influenced by the work of M.I. Glinka (as well as all Russian composers of the 19th century), and two events gave the impetus to dense occupation of composition in the early 1860s - firstly, the acquaintance and marriage with the talented pianist E.S. Protopopova, and secondly, the meeting with M.A. Balakirev and joining the creative community of Russian composers, known as the "Mighty Handful".

In the late 1870s and in the 1880s, A.P. Borodin traveled and toured extensively in Europe and America, met with the leading composers of his time, his fame grew, he became one of the most famous and popular Russian composers in Europe at the end of the 19th century. th century.

The central place in the work of A.P. Borodin is occupied by the opera “Prince Igor” (1869-1890), which is an example of the national heroic epic in music and which he himself did not have time to finish (it was completed by his friends A.A. Glazunov and N.A. Rimsky-Korsakov). In "Prince Igor", against the backdrop of majestic pictures of historical events, the main idea of \u200b\u200bthe composer's entire work was reflected - courage, calm grandeur, spiritual nobility of the best Russian people and the mighty strength of the entire Russian people, manifested in the defense of the motherland.

Despite the fact that A.P. Borodin left a relatively small number of works, his work is very diverse and he is considered one of the fathers of Russian symphonic music, who influenced many generations of Russian and foreign composers.

Quote about A.P. Borodin:“Borodin's talent is equally powerful and amazing both in the symphony, and in the opera and in the romance. Its main qualities are gigantic strength and breadth, colossal scope, swiftness and impetuosity, combined with amazing passion, tenderness and beauty. V.V. Stasov

Interesting fact: The chemical reaction of silver salts of carboxylic acids with halogens, resulting in halogenated hydrocarbons, was named after Borodin, which he was the first to investigate in 1861.

3. Modest Petrovich Mussorgsky

(1839-1881)

“The sounds of human speech, as external manifestations of thought and feeling, must, without exaggeration and rape, become truthful, accurate music, but artistic, highly artistic.”

Modest Petrovich Mussorgsky is one of the most brilliant Russian composers of the 19th century, a member of the Mighty Handful. Mussorgsky's innovative work was far ahead of its time.

Born in the Pskov province. Like many talented people, from childhood he showed talent in music, studied in St. Petersburg, was, according to family tradition, a military man. The decisive event that determined that Mussorgsky was born not for military service, but for music, was his meeting with M.A. Balakirev and joining the Mighty Handful.

Mussorgsky is great because in his grandiose works - the operas Boris Godunov and Khovanshchina - he captured in music the dramatic milestones of Russian history with a radical novelty that Russian music did not know before him, showing in them a combination of mass folk scenes and a diverse richness of types, the unique character of the Russian people. These operas, in numerous editions by both the author and other composers, are among the most popular Russian operas in the world.

Another outstanding work of Mussorgsky is the cycle of piano pieces "Pictures at an Exhibition", colorful and inventive miniatures are permeated with the Russian refrain theme and the Orthodox faith.

There was everything in Mussorgsky's life - both greatness and tragedy, but he was always distinguished by genuine spiritual purity and disinterestedness.

His last years were difficult - life's disorder, non-recognition of creativity, loneliness, addiction to alcohol, all this determined his early death at 42, he left relatively few compositions, some of which were completed by other composers.

The specific melody and innovative harmony of Mussorgsky anticipated some features of the musical development of the 20th century and played an important role in the development of the styles of many world composers.

Quote about M.P. Mussorgsky:“Originally Russian sounds in everything that Mussorgsky did” N. K. Roerich

Interesting fact: At the end of his life, Mussorgsky, under pressure from his “friends” Stasov and Rimsky-Korsakov, renounced the copyright to his works and presented them to Tertiy Filippov.

4. Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

(1840-1893)

“I am an artist who can and must bring honor to his Motherland. I feel a great artistic power in myself, I have not yet done even a tenth of what I can do. And I want to do it with all the strength of my soul.”

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, perhaps the greatest Russian composer of the 19th century, raised Russian musical art to unprecedented heights. He is one of the most important composers of world classical music.

A native of the Vyatka province, although his paternal roots are in Ukraine, Tchaikovsky showed musical abilities from childhood, but his first education and work was in the field of law.

Tchaikovsky is one of the first Russian "professional" composers - he studied music theory and composition at the new St. Petersburg Conservatory.

Tchaikovsky was considered a “Western” composer, in contrast to the folk figures of the “Mighty Handful”, with whom he had good creative and friendly relations, however, his work is no less permeated with the Russian spirit, he managed to uniquely combine the Western symphonic heritage of Mozart, Beethoven and Schumann with Russian traditions inherited from Mikhail Glinka.

The composer led an active life - he was a teacher, conductor, critic, public figure, worked in two capitals, toured Europe and America.

Tchaikovsky was a rather emotionally unstable person, enthusiasm, despondency, apathy, irascibility, violent anger - all these moods changed in him quite often, being a very sociable person, he always strove for loneliness.

It is a difficult task to single out something best from Tchaikovsky's work, he has several works of equal size in almost all musical genres - opera, ballet, symphony, chamber music. And the content of Tchaikovsky's music is universal: with inimitable melodism, it embraces the images of life and death, love, nature, childhood, works of Russian and world literature are revealed in a new way, deep processes of spiritual life are reflected in it.

Composer quote:“Life has charm only when it consists of the alternation of joys and sorrows, of the struggle between good and evil, of light and shadow, in a word, of diversity in unity.”

"Great talent requires great hard work."

Composer quote: “I am ready day and night to stand as a guard of honor at the porch of the house where Pyotr Ilyich lives - to such an extent I respect him” A.P. Chekhov

Interesting fact: Cambridge University in absentia and without defending a dissertation awarded Tchaikovsky the title of Doctor of Music, as well as the Paris Academy of Fine Arts elected him a corresponding member.

5. Nikolai Andreevich Rimsky-Korsakov

(1844-1908)

N.A. Rimsky-Korsakov and A.K. Glazunov with their students M.M. Chernov and V.A. Senilov. Photo 1906

Nikolai Andreevich Rimsky-Korsakov is a talented Russian composer, one of the most important figures in the creation of an invaluable domestic musical heritage. His peculiar world and worship of the eternal all-encompassing beauty of the universe, admiration for the miracle of being, unity with nature have no analogues in the history of music.

Born in the Novgorod province, according to family tradition, he became a naval officer, on a warship he traveled around many countries in Europe and two Americas. He received his musical education first from his mother, then taking private lessons from the pianist F. Canille. And again, thanks to M.A. Balakirev, the organizer of the Mighty Handful, who introduced Rimsky-Korsakov to the musical community and influenced his work, the world did not lose the talented composer.

The central place in Rimsky-Korsakov's heritage is occupied by operas - 15 works demonstrating the diversity of genre, stylistic, dramatic, and compositional decisions of the composer, nevertheless having a special style - with all the richness of the orchestral component, melodic vocal lines are the main ones.

Two main directions distinguish the composer's work: the first is Russian history, the second is the world of fairy tales and epic, for which he received the nickname "storyteller".

In addition to direct independent creative activity, N.A. Rimsky-Korsakov is known as a publicist, compiler of collections of folk songs, in which he showed great interest, and also as the finalist of the works of his friends - Dargomyzhsky, Mussorgsky and Borodin. Rimsky-Korsakov was the founder of the composer school, as a teacher and head of the St. Petersburg Conservatory, he produced about two hundred composers, conductors, musicologists, among them Prokofiev and Stravinsky.

Composer quote:“Rimsky-Korsakov was a very Russian man and a very Russian composer. I believe that this primordially Russian essence of his, his deep folklore-Russian basis, should be especially appreciated today. Mstislav Rostropovich

Fact about the composer: Nikolai Andreevich began his first lesson in counterpoint like this:

Now I will talk a lot, and you will listen very carefully. Then I will speak less, and you will listen and think, and, finally, I will not speak at all, and you will think with your own head and work independently, because my task as a teacher is to become unnecessary to you ...

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1. "Symphony No. 5", Ludwig van Beethoven

According to legend, Beethoven (1770-1827) could not come up with an introduction to Symphony No. 5 for a long time. But when he lay down to take a nap, he heard a knock on the door, and the rhythm of this knock became an introduction to this work. Interestingly, the first notes of the symphony correspond to the number 5, or V in Morse code.

2. O Fortuna, Carl Orff

Composer Carl Orff (1895-1982) is best known for this dramatic vocal cantata. It is based on the 13th century poem "Carmina Burana". It is one of the most frequently performed classical pieces around the world.

3. Hallelujah Chorus, Georg Friedrich Handel

Georg Friedrich Handel (1685-1759) wrote the oratorio Messiah in 24 days. Many melodies, including "Hallelujah", were later borrowed from this work and began to be performed as independent works. According to legend, Handel had music in his head played by angels. The text of the oratorio is based on biblical stories, Handel reflected the life, death and resurrection of Christ.

4. Ride of the Valkyries, Richard Wagner

This composition is taken from the opera "Valkyrie", which is part of the series of operas "Ring of the Nibelungen" by Richard Wagner (1813-1883). The opera "Valkyrie" is dedicated to the daughter of the god Odin. Wagner spent 26 years composing this opera, and this is only the second part of a grandiose masterpiece of four operas.

5. Toccata and Fugue in D Minor, Johann Sebastian Bach

This is probably Bach's (1685-1750) most famous work and is often used in films during dramatic scenes.

6. Little Night Music by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart