Most Outstanding Composers. Composers in composers section

Among these melodies there is a motive for any mood: romantic, positive or dreary, to relax and not think about anything, or, conversely, to collect your thoughts.

The Italian composer and pianist works in the direction of minimalism, often turns to ambient and skillfully combines classical music with other musical styles. He is known to a wide circle for atmospheric compositions that have become soundtracks for films. For example, you will surely recognize the music from the French tape "1 + 1" written by Einaudi.

Glass is one of the most controversial personalities in the world of modern classics, which is either praised to the skies or criticized to the nines. He has been with his Philip Glass Ensemble for half a century and has written music for over 50 films, including The Truman Show, The Illusionist, Taste of Life and The Fantastic Four. The melodies of the American minimalist composer blur the line between classical and popular music.

The author of many soundtracks, the best film composer of 2008 according to the European Film Academy and a post-minimalist. Captivated critics from the first album Memoryhouse, in which Richter's music was superimposed on poetry readings, and subsequent albums also used fictional prose. In addition to writing his own ambient compositions, he arranges classical works: Vivaldi's The Four Seasons topped the iTunes classical music charts in his arrangement.

This creator of instrumental music from Italy is not associated with sensational cinema, but is already known as a composer, virtuoso and experienced piano teacher. If you describe Marradi's music in two words, then these will be the words "sensual" and "magical". His creations and covers will appeal to those who love retro classics: notes of the last century are seen in the motives.

The famous film composer has created musical accompaniment for many high-grossing films and cartoons, including Gladiator, Pearl Harbor, Inception, Sherlock Holmes, Interstellar, Madagascar, The Lion King. His star flaunts on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and on his shelf are Oscar, Grammy and Golden Globe. Zimmer's music is as varied as these films, but no matter the tone, it strikes a chord.

Hisaishi is one of the most famous Japanese composers, having received four Japanese Academy Film Awards for Best Film Score. He became famous for writing the soundtrack for Hayao Miyazaki's anime Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind. If you're a fan of Studio Ghibli or Takeshi Kitano's tapes, you're sure to admire Hisaishi's music. It is mostly light and light.

This Icelandic multi-instrumentalist is just a boy compared to the listed masters, but by his 30s he managed to become a recognized neoclassicist. He recorded ballet accompaniment, received a BAFTA award for the soundtrack to the British series "Murder on the Beach" and released 10 studio albums. Arnalds' music is reminiscent of a harsh wind on a deserted seashore.

Lee Ru Ma's most famous works are Kiss the Rain and River Flows in You. The Korean New Age composer and pianist writes popular classics that are understandable to listeners on any continent, with any musical taste and education. His light and sensual melodies for many became the beginning of love for piano music.

Dustin O'Halloran

The American composer is interesting in that he does not have a musical education, but at the same time he writes the most pleasant and quite popular music. O'Halloran's tunes have been used in Top Gear and several films. Perhaps the most successful soundtrack album was for the melodrama Like Crazy. This composer and pianist knows a lot about the art of conducting and how to create electronic music. But his main field is modern classics. Cacchapalla has recorded many albums, three of them with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. His music flows like water, it's great to relax under it.

What other modern composers are worth listening to

If you love epic, add Klaus Badelt, who worked with Zimmer on Pirates of the Caribbean, to your playlist. Also, Jan Kaczmarek, Alexandre Desplat, Howard Shore and John Williams should not be missed - you need to write a separate article to list all their works, merits and awards.

If you want more delicious neoclassicism, pay attention to Niels Fram and Sylvain Chauveau.

If you don't get enough, remember the creator of the soundtrack to "Amelie" Jan Tiersen or discover the Japanese composer Tammon: he writes airy, dreamlike melodies.

Which composers' music do you like and which don't? Who else would you add to this list?

Music is one of the most beautiful creations of mankind. It is able to influence the innermost strings of the soul, prompting noble and even heroic deeds. To write a work that would move the hearts of people for many decades or centuries, you need to be "kissed by God" and have an innate talent. We invite you to find out who are the most famous composers of classical music who created the most famous operas, concerts, symphonies and ballets.

Saint Hildegard of Bingen

This nun, who lived in the 12th century, is considered the "mother of the opera." She recorded over 70 chants, including Ordo Virtutum. It has 16 female parts of the "Virtues" and one male, personifying the Devil. The music of Saint Hildegard had a great influence on Renaissance composers.

Guillaume Dufay

The illegitimate son of a priest from childhood was brought up at the cathedral of the French city of Combray and sang in the church choir.

Subsequently, he was recognized as the most famous among European composers of the 15th century. The merit of Dufay is that he managed to combine medieval techniques with harmonies and phrasings characteristic of the early Renaissance. Along with masses, he also wrote chanson, Under his song L'homme armé, King Philip the Good gathered troops for a crusade against the Turks.

Giovanni da Palestrina

The composer, also known as Giannetto, lived in Italy in the 16th century. Mankind owes him the creation of a phenomenon known as polyphonic singing for Catholic worship.

Thanks to Giannetto, the Council of Trent made a reform in church music. Pope Pius the Fourth compared the masses he wrote to the singing that St. John the Apostle "heard in the heavenly Jerusalem."

Antonio Vivaldi

The mere work “The Seasons” by this great Italian is enough for him to be included in the list of “Famous Composers of All Times and Peoples”. Vivaldi is considered a musician, thanks to whom there was a transition from heavy-sounding baroque music to light classical music. Along with serious works, he wrote many charming serenades, and also went down in history as a genius, capable of creating a 3-act opera in 5 days.

Moreover, many historians believe that it was he who, more than his other contemporary colleagues, influenced the formation of many famous classical composers of subsequent generations.

Georg Friedrich Handel

Already at the age of 11, young Georg was a court harpsichordist at the court of the Elector of Berlin. He was born in the same year as Johann Sebastian Bach, but unlike the latter, he was not a hereditary musician.

As a renowned composer, Handel told one of his admirers that his goal has always been to make people better through his music.

Johann Sebastian Bach

The most famous composers of the 19th-20th centuries called this great musician their teacher more than once. In total, he wrote more than 1000 works and went down in history as one of the most virtuoso organists of all time. In addition, Johann Sebastian Bach is recognized as a master of polyphony, as well as the creator of masterpieces of clavier music.

Ludwig van Beethoven, born 20 years after the death of his senior colleague, called him "the true father of harmony", and the famous philosopher Georg Hegel called him "an erudite genius".

Subsequently, many famous composers, such as Liszt, Schumann, Brahms, etc., wishing to express their respect for him, included Bach's musical phrases in their works.

Franz Joseph Haydn

The musician lived all his life in Austria and, in his own words, was “doomed to become original”, as he was isolated from other composers and did not have the opportunity to get acquainted with the trends of contemporary music.

Only at the age of 47, Haydn could change the terms of the contract, according to which for 18 years all his works were considered the property of the Esterhazy family of Hungarian magnates. This allowed him to write the kind of music he wanted and achieve international fame.

In the field of writing instrumental music, Haydn is rightly considered one of the most famous composers of the second half of the 18th and early 19th centuries.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Perhaps there is no such famous composer of classical music, whose works are as popular today as the compositions of Mozart. Even many rock stars perform them in modern processing and use famous rappers as an accompaniment.

The musical heritage of Amadeus is more than six hundred compositions. He belongs to the geniuses whose musical talent manifested itself at a very early age. Already at the age of 5, Wolfgang began to write his first works, and at 6 he knew how to play the harpsichord and the violin excellently.

The composer's masterpieces include "Requiem", "The Marriage of Figaro", "Turkish March", "Little Night Serenade", "Don Giovanni", 41 symphonies, etc. They amaze with their perfection and ease of perception. Even those who do not consider themselves a fan of classical music enjoy listening to arias from the composer's operas.

Giuseppe Verdi

Those who are interested in vocal art will recognize that one of the most famous composers who worked in this genre is, of course, Giuseppe Verdi. His operas are most often performed on the most famous stages around the world. Many of Verdi's arias are among the most performed classical works.

During his lifetime, the composer was often criticized for indulging the tastes of the common people. However, subsequent generations recognized many of his works as masterpieces of world art. They are distinguished by their special melody and they are easily reproduced even by those who do not have a special ear for music and singing talent.

Ludwig van Beethoven

The composer is recognized as a key figure who ensured the transition from romanticism to classicism. Beethoven wrote in all contemporary musical genres. However, his instrumental works are best known, including his overtures, symphonies, sonatas, and several concertos for violin and piano.

One of the most frequently performed works of the composer is "Ode to Joy", which was included in Beethoven's 9th symphony. It is recognized as the official anthem of the EU.

Richard Wagner

In the list of "Famous Musical Composers of Germany in the 19th century", Wagner occupies a special place, as he is considered a kind of revolutionary. His works are distinguished by rich chromaticism, harmony and orchestration. Wagner introduced the concept of leitmotif into musical art: a theme associated with a specific character, as well as a plot and a place. In addition, the composer is the founder of the musical drama, which had a great influence on the development of classical music.

Johann Strauss

When listing the names of famous composers, they often indicate only musicians who have created and are creating serious works. However, the king of the waltz, Johann Strauss, certainly deserves to be included among the people who have made the greatest contribution to the development of the musical culture of mankind.

In total, Strauss wrote more than 500 works in the dance genre. Many of his waltzes are still popular today, and even those who are not fans of classical music listen to them.

Frederic Chopin

This Polish composer is considered one of the most prominent representatives of romanticism in world musical culture. In addition, Chopin is the founder of the Polish school of composition. He contributed a lot to the recognition and increase the authority of his homeland in Europe. Among the works of this famous composer, a special place is occupied by waltzes, which are considered to be a kind of Chopin's autobiography.

Antonin Dvorak

The famous Czech composer made a huge contribution to the development of Czech national music. Among other things, he was a virtuoso violinist and violist. He managed to gain worldwide popularity, as classical music lovers were attracted by the symbiosis of elements of the national music of Bohemia and Moravia with European classics.

Dvořek's most famous works include Symphony No. 9 "From the New World", "Requiem", the opera "Mermaid", "Slavic Dances", "American" String Quartet and Stabat Mater.

Famous composers of Russia

Our country has made a significant contribution to the development of the musical culture of mankind.

The most famous Russian composers are:

• Mikhail Glinka. The composer, who worked in the first half of the 19th century, was the first to create large-scale works based on Russian folk songs. His most famous work is the opera "Ivan Susanin", in which Glinka managed to combine the traditions of Russian choral singing and European opera art.
• Pyotr Tchaikovsky. This great musician is one of the most famous composers in the world.

One of his most important missions, Tchaikovsky considered increasing the glory of his homeland. And he succeeded in this to the full, since today the melodies from his works are performed in all corners of the planet, and his ballets are staged on the most famous stage venues in the world. Particularly famous are such works by Tchaikovsky as the ballets "Swan Lake", "The Nutcracker", "Sleeping Beauty", etc.

• Sergei Prokofiev. The ballet "Romeo and Juliet" by this composer is considered one of the best works of this genre of the 20th century. His achievements also include the creation of his own style, recognized as a new word in the world of musical art.
• Dmitri Shostakovich. During the blockade of Leningrad, the whole world was shocked by the premiere performance of the composer's Leningrad Symphony. Shostakovich succeeded in conveying in the language of music the determination of the city's defenders to fight to the last drop of blood. Despite the persecution and accusations of bourgeois decadence, the composer continued to create original works that put him on a par with the most famous composers of the 20th century.

Famous contemporary composers

It just so happens that the general public today has very little interest in serious music. Most often, fame comes to composers if they write music for films. Among the most popular composers of recent decades are the following:

• Michel Legrand. Initially, the composer gained fame as a virtuoso pianist and conductor of classical music. However, he gained wide popularity thanks to his films. His score for the film-opera The Umbrellas of Cherbourg brought Legrand his first Oscar nomination. Later, the composer received this award three times, and also received the Benois of the Dance prize for the ballet Liliom.
• Ludovico Einaudi. This Italian composer prefers a minimalist style, and also successfully combines classical music with other musical styles. Einaudi is known to a wide range of music lovers for his soundtracks, for example, everyone knows the melody he wrote for the French tape “1 + 1”.
• Philip Glass. The composer initially worked in the field of classics, but over time he was able to blur the line between it and modern musical trends. For several decades, Glass has been playing in his own Philip Glass Ensemble. Movie lovers know his works written for the films "The Illusionist", "The Truman Show", "Taste of Life" and "Fantastic Four".
• Giovanni Marradi. The composer is not related to cinema, but gained popularity due to the retro-classical sound of his works, in which he uses motifs from previous centuries.

Now you know the names of the most famous composers. The music that they created in different centuries is still capable of awakening the kindest and highest feelings, even in the hardened souls of people who have forgotten about high ideals.

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

Each person should know their history, as well as the people who made it. For example, in this article we invite the reader to recall famous Russian composers who are respected and loved not only in our country, but also abroad.

People who have made an unprecedented contribution to Russian and world classical music

In the old days, classical music was very popular. The leading composers were well known by sight and even knew how to distinguish the works of one great classic from another. Now time, manners and tastes have changed significantly. And now we often listen to monotonous melodies or rhythmic recitatives, most of which are forgotten the next day. However, a few years ago, scientists proved the fact that the classics have a beneficial effect on the human body. There is even a confirmed hypothesis that children who listen to classical music from childhood are far ahead of their peers in development. That is why it is necessary to get used to elegant and exciting melodies from an early age.

But if in childhood such a hobby seemed unfashionable to a child, or if he simply did not think about changing his taste, you can correct the situation at any time. And it is best to start acquaintance with Russian composers, famous and beloved. Such as:

• Mikhail Glinka (1804-1857).
• Alexander Dargomyzhsky (1813-1869).
• Alexander Borodin (1833-1887).
• Modest Mussorgsky (1839-1881).
• Pyotr Tchaikovsky (1840-1893).
• Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov (1844-1908).
• Sergei Rachmaninov (1872-1915).
• Aram Khachaturian (1903-1978).
• Dmitri Shostakovich (1906-1975).

The stories of their lives are not simple, and the fates of many are quite tragic. You can talk about these people endlessly, but we will try to note only the most important facts of the biography in order to give the reader an idea of ​​what the great Russian composers were like.

Mikhail Glinka

Mikhail Ivanovich Glinka was born on May 20, 1804. His family was large and wealthy, lived on the territory of the Smolensk province ever since the Polish nobleman, who laid the foundation for the family, preferred Russia to his country. The parents of the future composers were second cousins ​​to each other. Perhaps that is why the upbringing of the baby was taken over by the grandmother. This continued until her death. The craving for music at the young talent woke up at the age of ten. Soon he was sent to study in St. Petersburg. There he met Pushkin, Griboyedov, Zhukovsky, Odoevsky and other famous personalities of those times. And he realized that he wanted to make music his destiny.

After that, Mikhail Glinka wrote the first romances, but he was not completely satisfied with the result. His own music seemed to him everyday, he sought to expand the boundaries. And then, working on himself, Mikhail Ivanovich Glinka went to Italy, and then to Germany. There he got to know such people as Donizeti and Bellini, as a result of which he completely changed the style of his music.

Upon arrival in Russia, the composer again showed his operas to the country. But some of them were heavily criticized, and Glinka decided to leave the country. And he returned many years later, becoming a singing teacher and actively influencing the formation of classical music.

Mikhail Ivanovich died on February 15, 1857 in Berlin. His ashes were brought to St. Petersburg, where the composer rests to this day.

Alexander Dargomyzhsky

This musical figure, unrecognized during his lifetime and now almost forgotten, was born on February 2, 1813 in the Tula province. The craving for music in Alexander Sergeevich Dargomyzhsky woke up at the age of seven. And it was then that he mastered the art of playing the piano to perfection. And at the age of ten he already wrote his first plays and romances. Then the future composer entered the service, and after that he met Mikhail Glinka, he significantly improved his skills.

Alexander Sergeevich read notes like a book, and tried to make his works such that the music did not overshadow the voices of the performers. At a certain period of his life, he gave singing lessons to non-professional singers completely free of charge, and after that he became one of the consultants of the Russian Musical Community. His greatest opera, The Mermaid, almost burned down in a fire at the St. Petersburg Opera House. But even now it is performed quite infrequently, therefore only true connoisseurs of classical music know Alexander Sergeevich Dargomyzhsky. This is very sad, because another unusual opera by the composer, The Stone Guest, consists of recitatives that fully correspond to the rhythm of Pushkin's verse, and not the usual drawn-out arias.

This is what distinguishes the composer from others. He did not succumb to the influence of Italy and France, did not indulge the tastes of the public, was not afraid to try something new. He went his own way, relying on his own taste. And inextricably linked the sound and the word.

Alexander Borodin

Alexander Porfiryevich was born on November 12, 1933 as a result of an extramarital affair between a Georgian prince and a military daughter. The age difference between the parents was just over forty years. That is why the newborn was recorded in the name of the valet. But the mother still paid great attention to her baby and selected the best teachers and tutors for him.

From an early age, the future composer was attracted to music. And after a while he wrote his first plays, which were taken care of by his mother. It was then that the country learned about the young talent - a sixteen-year-old composer. By the way, Alexander Porfiryevich was also attracted by young (at that time) chemistry. He carried out various experiments with special interest in his own room, which is why his mother sometimes came to indescribable horror. And then Borodin did enter the Medical and Surgical Academy. At one time, he met Mendeleev, who believed that Alexander should forget about music. However, the future famous Russian composer did not abandon his second hobby, but brought it to such a level that Borodin's work was recognized not only in the country, but also abroad.

Alexander Porfirievich died unexpectedly. After a rhythmic dance, his heart could not stand it and stopped forever. It happened on February 27, 1887.

Modest Mussorgsky

The next greatest composer was born on the territory of the Pskov province on March 9, 1839. All that is known of his early years is that until the age of ten he was tutored at home and mastered the piano. Then he went to St. Petersburg, where he became interested in church music, tried his hand at writing. Soon his works began to be performed in St. Petersburg and Moscow.

Russian composer Modest Petrovich Mussorgsky is a true genius, innovator, the third most performed in the world. His work is familiar to many, especially the music from the opera Boris Godunov. However, he was a deeply lonely person, so at a certain point he plunged into apathy and became addicted to the bottle. As a result, Modest Petrovich developed a delirium tremens. The first serious attack was stopped, but it was not possible to get rid of the composer's illness. And on March 16, 1881, the greatest genius died.

Pyotr Tchaikovsky

Perhaps the work of this composer is the most recognizable, not only among adults, but also among kids. After all, who does not know the famous "Dance of the Little Swans"? And it was Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky who wrote it.

The future genius was born in April 1840 in the city of Watkins (Udmurtia) and already at the age of five he read notes perfectly and played the piano. In his youth, he began to attend the St. Petersburg Opera House, where he was especially impressed by the works of Glinka and Mozart. As an employee of the Department of Justice, he gave up everything for the sake of the "pipe", as his relatives said. But the contribution that Pyotr Ilyich made to Russian and world classical music is so great that it fully justifies the decision of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky.

The great genius died suddenly on March 25, 1893. According to the official version, the cause was cholera. But there is also a hypothesis that he was poisoned. Moreover, many believe that the composer did it on his own, deciding to commit suicide. However, this is not known for certain, so the public prefers to stick to the first option.

Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov

The most popular Russian composer who could write music without an instrument was born on March 18, 1844 in Tikhvin (not far from St. Petersburg). The child began to study music very early, but she did not attract him much. Nikolai Andreevich was attracted by the sea, so at the age of twelve he entered the Naval Cadet Corps, but did not quit studying music. A little later, on his life path, he meets such great people as Modest Petrovich Mussorgsky and Alexander Porfiryevich Borodin. Then he sails on a ship and serves in the navy, continuing to compose music and drawing inspiration from the nature of the Russian lands, Russian fairy tales, epics, songs and sayings. And then he became a teacher at the conservatory in St. Petersburg, which now bears his name.

However, despite his merits, Nikolai Andreevich is very critical of himself, highlighting only two of his operas - The Tsar's Bride and The Snow Maiden.

The great Russian composer Nikolai Andreevich Rimsky-Korsakov died on June 8, 1908 due to an exacerbation of heart disease.

Sergei Rachmaninoff

The great musical figure was born in the Novgorod province on March 20, 1873. He was fond of music almost from infancy, at the age of five he already played the piano, and at nine he entered the conservatory. At thirteen he met Tchaikovsky, who became the mentor of the young Rachmaninoff. The young genius writes his works, which are a huge success. But one work is still negatively evaluated by Rimsky-Korsakov. This causes Sergei Vasilyevich Rachmaninoff to be depressed for a long time, as a result of which he has not written works for three years. Shortly after the start of the October Revolution, the composer leaves his homeland, setting off on a tour of the cities of Europe.

The last years of the life of the Russian genius pass on the territory of America. March 28, 1943 Sergei Vasilyevich Rachmaninov dies, living at that time in the city of Beverly Hills.

Aram Khachaturian

A musical genius from a simple Armenian family was born on May 24, 1903. In the early years, the future of Aram Ilyich is determined by his father, who sees a biologist in the boy. But everything changes when in 1921 the future composer goes to study in the capital and lives with his brother, the famous director. He introduces him to the creative world. This turns the mind of Aram Ilyich Khachaturian. He enters the Gnessin Technical School, and then quits biology for the sake of music. The composer writes many works that are received with great enthusiasm by the domestic and foreign public.

The last years of the life of the Russian genius are very difficult. He is fighting a hard fight with the disease - cancer. He endures many operations, but the sudden death of his wife greatly cripples him. And on May 1, 1978, Aram Ilyich Khachaturian dies.

Dmitry Shostakovich

The last great Russian composer, whom we would like to tell the reader about, was born in St. Petersburg on September 25, 1906 in a musical family. Therefore, there is nothing surprising in the fact that the fate of Dmitry Dmitrievich was to some extent a foregone conclusion. He wrote his first work at the age of nine, and at thirteen he entered the conservatory.

It will not be an exaggeration that Dmitri Dmitrievich Shostakovich lived for music. Constantly improving his skills, he could envelop the listener with sounds and feelings. In addition, he was an improviser and came up with musical masterpieces literally on the go.

The musical genius died due to a tumor that doctors could not diagnose for a very long time. But when they succeeded, it was too late. On August 9, 1975, Dmitry Dmitrievich Shostakovich died.

Notable works by mentioned composers

Earlier we mentioned that classical music has a beneficial effect on the human body, improving brain activity, increasing susceptibility to science, calming and giving a sense of peace. That is why further we will present the reader with the best and most popular musical works of Russian composers, which we have described above.

Let's start in order:

• Mikhail Glinka - "Pathetic Trio", "Waltz-Fantasy", operas "Ivan Susanin", "Ruslan and Lyudmila", "Kamarinskaya".
• Alexander Dargomyzhsky - operas "Esmeralda", "The Triumph of Bacchus", "Mermaid", "The Stone Guest".
• Alexander Borodin - operas "Bogatyrs", "Mlada", libretto "Prince Igor".
• Modest Mussorgsky - operas "Marriage", "Boris Godunov", "Khovanshchina", "Sorochinsky Fair".
• Pyotr Tchaikovsky, Russian composer, whose most famous works everyone knows: "Slavic March", "Swan Lake", "Eugene Onegin", "Sleeping Beauty", "The Queen of Spades", "The Nutcracker".
• Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov - operas The Golden Cockerel, The Tale of Tsar Saltan, The Snow Maiden, Scheherazade, Sadko, The Tsar's Bride, Mozart and Salieri.
• Sergei Rachmaninov - "Aleko", "The Miserly Knight", "Francesca da Rimini".
• Aram Khachaturian - ballets "Happiness", "Gayane", "Spartacus".
• Dmitry Shostakovich - "The Nose", "Big Lightning", "Lady Macbeth of the Mtsensk District", "Katerina Izmailova", "Players", "Moscow, Cheryomushki".

Here they are famous Russian composers, to whom every citizen should pay special attention.

The melodies and songs of the Russian people inspired the work of famous composers of the second half of the 19th century. Among them were P.I. Tchaikovsky, M.P. Mussorgsky, M.I. Glinka and A.P. Borodin. Their traditions were continued by a whole galaxy of outstanding musical figures. Russian composers of the 20th century are still popular.

Alexander Nikolaevich Skryabin

Creativity A.N. Scriabin (1872 - 1915), a Russian composer and talented pianist, teacher, innovator, cannot leave anyone indifferent. Mystical moments can sometimes be heard in his original and impulsive music. The composer is attracted and attracted by the image of fire. Even in the titles of his works, Scriabin often repeats such words as fire and light. He tried to find a way to combine sound and light in his works.

The composer's father, Nikolai Alexandrovich Scriabin, was a well-known Russian diplomat, a real state adviser. Mother - Lyubov Petrovna Scriabina (nee Shchetinina), was known as a very talented pianist. She graduated with honors from the St. Petersburg Conservatory. Her professional career began successfully, but shortly after the birth of her son, she died of consumption. In 1878, Nikolai Alexandrovich completed his studies and was assigned to the Russian embassy in Constantinople. The upbringing of the future composer was continued by his close relatives - grandmother Elizaveta Ivanovna, her sister Maria Ivanovna and father's sister Lyubov Alexandrovna.

Despite the fact that at the age of five, Scriabin mastered playing the piano, and a little later began to study musical compositions, according to family tradition, he received a military education. He graduated from the 2nd Moscow Cadet Corps. At the same time, he took private lessons in piano and music theory. Later he entered the Moscow Conservatory and graduated with a small gold medal.

At the beginning of his creative activity, Scriabin consciously followed Chopin, choosing the same genres. However, even at that time, his own talent was already evident. At the beginning of the 20th century, he wrote three symphonies, then "The Poem of Ecstasy" (1907) and "Prometheus" (1910). Interestingly, the composer supplemented the score of "Prometheus" with a light keyboard part. He was the first to use light music, the purpose of which is characterized by the disclosure of music by the method of visual perception.

The composer's accidental death interrupted his work. He never realized his plan to create the "Mystery" - a symphony of sounds, colors, movements, smells. In this work, Scriabin wanted to tell all mankind his innermost thoughts and inspire him to create a new world, marked by the union of the Universal Spirit and Matter. His most significant works were only a preface to this grandiose project.

Famous Russian composer, pianist, conductor S.V. Rachmaninov (1873 - 1943) was born into a wealthy noble family. Rachmaninoff's grandfather was a professional musician. The first piano lessons were given to him by his mother, and later they invited the music teacher A.D. Ornatskaya. In 1885, his parents assigned him to a private boarding school to the professor of the Moscow Conservatory N.S. Zverev. The order and discipline in the educational institution had a significant impact on the formation of the future character of the composer. He later graduated from the Moscow Conservatory with a gold medal. While still a student, Rachmaninoff was very popular with the Moscow public. He has already created his "First Piano Concerto", as well as some other romances and plays. And his "Prelude in C-sharp minor" became a very popular composition. Great P.I. Tchaikovsky drew attention to the graduation work of Sergei Rachmaninov - the opera "Oleko", which he wrote under the impression of A.S. Pushkin "Gypsies". Pyotr Ilyich got it staged at the Bolshoi Theatre, tried to help with the inclusion of this work in the repertoire of the theater, but died unexpectedly.

From the age of twenty, Rachmaninov taught at several institutes, gave private lessons. At the invitation of the famous philanthropist, theatrical and musical figure Savva Mamontov, at the age of 24, the composer becomes the second conductor of the Moscow Russian Private Opera. There he became friends with F.I. Chaliapin.

Rachmaninov's career was interrupted on March 15, 1897 due to the rejection of his innovative First Symphony by the St. Petersburg public. Reviews for this work were truly devastating. But the composer was most upset by the negative review left by N.A. Rimsky-Korsakov, whose opinion Rachmaninoff greatly appreciated. After that, he fell into a protracted depression, from which he managed to get out with the help of a hypnotist N.V. Dahl.

In 1901 Rachmaninoff completed his Second Piano Concerto. And from that moment begins his active creative work as a composer and pianist. Rachmaninoff's unique style combined Russian church hymns, romanticism and impressionism. He considered the melody to be the main leading principle in music. This found its greatest expression in the author's favorite work - the poem "The Bells", which he wrote for the orchestra, choir and soloists.

At the end of 1917, Rachmaninoff left Russia with his family, worked in Europe, and then left for America. The composer was very upset by the break with the Motherland. During the Great Patriotic War, he gave charity concerts, the proceeds of which were sent to the Red Army Fund.

Stravinsky's music is notable for its stylistic diversity. At the very beginning of his creative activity, she was based on Russian musical traditions. And then in the works one can hear the influence of neoclassicism, characteristic of the music of France of that period and dodecaphony.

Igor Stravinsky was born in Oranienbaum (now the city of Lomonosov) in 1882. The father of the future composer Fyodor Ignatievich is a famous opera singer, one of the soloists of the Mariinsky Theatre. His mother was pianist and singer Anna Kirillovna Kholodovskaya. From the age of nine, teachers taught him piano lessons. After completing the gymnasium, at the request of his parents, he enters the law faculty of the university. For two years, from 1904 to 1906, he took lessons from N.A. Rimsky-Korsakov, under whose leadership he wrote the first works - the scherzo, the piano sonata, the Faun and the Shepherdess suite. Sergei Diaghilev highly appreciated the composer's talent and offered him cooperation. The joint work resulted in three ballets (staged by S. Diaghilev) - The Firebird, Petrushka, The Rite of Spring.

Shortly before the First World War, the composer left for Switzerland, then to France. A new period begins in his work. He studies the musical styles of the 18th century, writes the opera Oedipus Rex, music for the ballet Apollo Musagete. His handwriting has changed several times over time. For many years the composer lived in the USA. His last famous work is Requiem. A feature of the composer Stravinsky is the ability to constantly change styles, genres and musical directions.

Composer Prokofiev was born in 1891 in a small village in the Yekaterinoslav province. The world of music was opened for him by his mother, a good pianist who often performed works by Chopin and Beethoven. She also became a real musical mentor for her son and, in addition, taught him German and French.

At the beginning of 1900, young Prokofiev managed to attend the Sleeping Beauty ballet and listen to the operas Faust and Prince Igor. The impression received from the performances of the Moscow theaters was expressed in his own work. He writes the opera "The Giant", and then the overture to "Desert Shores". Parents soon realize that they can no longer teach their son music. Soon, at the age of eleven, the novice composer was introduced to the famous Russian composer and teacher S.I. Taneyev, who personally asked R.M. Gliera to engage in musical composition with Sergei. S. Prokofiev at the age of 13 passed the entrance exams to the St. Petersburg Conservatory. At the beginning of his career, the composer toured and performed extensively. However, his work caused misunderstanding among the public. This was due to the features of the works, which were expressed in the following:

• modernist style;
• destruction of established musical canons;
• extravagance and inventiveness of composing techniques

In 1918, S. Prokofiev left and returned only in 1936. Already in the USSR, he wrote music for films, operas, ballets. But after he was accused, along with a number of other composers, of "formalism", he practically moved to live in the country, but continued to write musical works. His opera "War and Peace", the ballets "Romeo and Juliet", "Cinderella" became the property of world culture.

Russian composers of the 20th century, who lived at the turn of the century, not only preserved the traditions of the previous generation of the creative intelligentsia, but also created their own, unique art, for which the works of P.I. Tchaikovsky, M.I. Glinka, N.A. Rimsky-Korsakov.