Western composers. Classical music performers

Russia is rich in talent. In almost all types of art you can find the names of our compatriots, who are known throughout. The first Russian composers of classical music began to create in the 19th century, and Mikhail Ivanovich Glinka became the founder among them. This is where we will begin our review.

Glinka Mikhail Ivanovich (20.05 (01.06) 1804 – 03 (15.02.1857)

Mikhail Glinka was a descendant of Polish nobles. His great-grandfather Victorin Vladislav Glinka, after the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth lost the city of Smolensk (in 1654), converted to Orthodoxy and came under Russian citizenship, while retaining his lands and all noble privileges. The composer's father was retired captain Ivan Nikolaevich Glinka, and his mother was Evgenia Andreevna Glinka-Zemelka. His grandmother, Fekla Andreevna (father’s mother), who took upon herself to raise the boy until he was 6 years old, had a great influence on the future composer. When Mikhail was 10 years old, teacher V.F. was invited to him from the capital. Klammer, who began to teach him to play the violin and piano. At the age of 13, Glinka began studying at the capital's Noble boarding school, where he continued to take private music lessons from teachers such as Karl Zeiner and John Field.

After finishing his studies at the boarding school, Glinka continued to study music. At the same time he composed his first works. The most famous romances of this period are “Don’t tempt me unnecessarily”, “Don’t sing, beauty, in front of me”, etc. The trip to the Caucasus in 1823 left its mark on the composer’s work - “Persian Chorus”, written for the opera “Ruslan” and Lyudmila”, was created on the basis of one of the Azerbaijani folk songs. A further trip to Italy (in particular, the center of musical culture Milan) and acquaintance with such famous composers as V. Bellini and G. Donizetti led to the creation of musical works in the Italian style. The first truly great success came to Mikhail Glinka in 1836, when the opera “A Life for the Tsar,” describing the feat of Ivan Susanin, was staged on the stage of the capital’s Bolshoi Theater. She was appreciated not only by the public, but also by the emperor himself. The composer's subsequent creative life was very eventful. He created symphonies, overtures, romances, and sonatas. M.I. died Glinka in 1857 in Berlin. The contribution of this composer to the development of Russian classical music is difficult to overestimate. According to V. Stasov, Glinka created a new Russian language in music, like Pushkin in poetry.

Tchaikovsky Pyotr Ilyich (04/25 (05/07) 1840 – 10/25 (11/06) 1893)

Pyotr Tchaikovsky’s love for music did not appear by chance. In his youth, his father was fond of playing the flute, and his mother knew how to play the harp, piano, and, moreover, sang quite well. When Peter was 5 years old, he was taught to play the piano, and at the age of 12 the boy entered the School of Law. He was a diligent student and graduated in 1859 with excellent grades in most subjects. During his years of study, Peter additionally studied piano - in 1855-1858. his teacher was Rudolf Künditer. The year he graduated from college, Tchaikovsky began serving in the Department of Justice, but did not work there for very long.

In 1861, he began studying at the Music Class of the Russian Musical Society, and already in 1863 he left his service in the Department to devote himself entirely to his studies and musical career. His father supported him in this decision, for which Tchaikovsky was very grateful to him. After completing his studies, Tchaikovsky traveled a lot and worked on his works. He composed music in different genres - operas, ballets, symphonies, piano miniatures, etc. The works of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, which made him famous throughout the world:

• Swan Lake ballet";
• ballet "Sleeping Beauty";
• opera "Eugene Onegin";
• opera "The Nutcracker";
• opera "The Queen of Spades".

Rimsky-Korsakov Nikolai Andreevich (06 (18).03.1844 – 08 (21).06.1908)

Rimsky-Korsakov began to show musical abilities very early. At the age of six he began to learn to play the piano, and at the age of 11 he began composing his first works. But despite his penchant for music, at the age of ten Nikolai was sent to study in the Naval Corps, which he graduated with honors in 1862. During his studies, the boy continued to study music, and by May 1862 the first part of his First Symphony was almost completed. Further service, which took place on the clipper "Almaz" (1862-1865), did not allow Rimsky-Korsakov to seriously study music. But this three-year voyage with visits to a number of countries filled him with impressions, which were later embodied in some of his works. Having left naval service, Nikolai establishes interrupted contact with the circle of the famous composer M.A. Balakirev, meets P.I. Tchaikovsky and A.P. Borodin.

In subsequent years, while continuing to work on the First Symphony, he wrote such works as “Overture on Russian Themes”, “Serbian Fantasy”, Second Symphony and many romances. Rimsky-Korsakov's talent was so obvious that, despite the lack of special education, he was invited to the St. Petersburg Conservatory as a professor, and in 1874 Nikolai Andreevich became the head of the Free Music School. In addition to teaching and composing music, he acted as a conductor of symphony concerts and opera performances. Rimsky-Korsakov created a number of works dedicated to fairy tales. These are the operas “The Snow Maiden”, “The Night Before Christmas”, “Sadko”. His last opera, The Golden Cockerel, was banned from showing and was staged only a year after the composer’s death.

Rachmaninov Sergei Vasilievich (20.03 (01.04) 1873 – 28.03.1943)

Rachmaninov showed an interest in music from early childhood. Already at the age of 4, he began learning to play the piano (his first teacher was the composer’s mother). At the age of 9, the boy entered the capital's conservatory (junior department), but three years later his parents decided to transfer him to the Moscow boarding school. At the same time, Rachmaninov entered the Moscow Conservatory, immediately into the 3rd year of the junior department. Here the training turned out to be very effective and fruitful. During these years, Rachmaninov gained fame not only as a pianist, but also as a composer. Rachmaninov’s diploma work (opera “Aleko”) earned high praise from P.I. Tchaikovsky. In subsequent years, the composer worked as a teacher, conductor and simultaneously wrote music. Not everything was smooth in the composer's life. In 1897 he had his first serious failure, after the premiere of the First Symphony. This work was not understood by the public and received the lowest ratings from music critics.

In the first decade of the 20th century, Rachmaninov worked on the Second and Third Piano Concertos, traveled extensively throughout Europe, toured America and Canada, performing before local audiences as a pianist and conductor. Unfortunately, due to the revolutionary movement that was actively unfolding in Russia, Rachmaninov had to leave his homeland. He made money by performing at concerts. Almost until 1926 he did not write any serious works. The protracted creative crisis was apparently associated with a strong longing for his country, which he had to leave. And only years later the Fourth Concerto and Symphonic Dances appeared in the collection of works.

Shostakovich Dmitry Dmitrievich (12 (25).11.1906 – 09.08.1975)

This Soviet-era composer was familiar with music from childhood. His mother became his first piano teacher. The boy had serious intentions to devote himself to a musical career after watching the opera “The Tale of Tsar Saltan” by the famous composer N.A. Rimsky-Korsakov. In 1919, Shostakovich began studying at the Petrograd Conservatory, where he graduated in 1923 as a pianist, and in 1925 as a composer.

Shostakovich's creative path cannot be called smooth. From time to time he faced misunderstanding and sometimes even persecution from the authorities. But, despite this, he was awarded many titles and awards, which other Russian composers of classical music cannot boast of. This is the Hero of Socialist Labor, People's Artist of the RSFSR, the Order of Lenin, the October Revolution, the Red Banner of Labor and many others.

We talked about the most outstanding Russian composers of classical music of the 19th and 20th centuries, who left behind the greatest cultural heritage.

1. “Symphony No. 5”, Ludwig van Beethoven

According to legend, Beethoven (1770-1827) for a long time could not come up with an introduction to Symphony No. 5. But when he lay down to take a nap, he heard a knock on the door, and the rhythm of this knock became the 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 cantata with dramatic vocals. 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, George Frideric Handel

George Frideric 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 played in his head 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 "Die Walküre", which is part of the cycle of operas "The Ring of the Nibelung" 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 it 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 the most famous work by Bach (1685-1750) and is often used in films during dramatic scenes.

6. “Little Night Serenade”, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Are you familiar with classical music? Or do you think it's boring? Vanessa Mae once said:

Classic works are ingenious, and everything ingenious cannot be boring.

And it is true..

Johann Sebastian Bach

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 more than 1000 essays. In his works, Bach combined different musical styles with which he became acquainted throughout his life. Often musical romanticism was combined with the Baroque style. During his lifetime, Johann Bach did not receive the recognition he deserved as a composer; interest in his music arose almost 100 years after his death. Today he is called one of the greatest composers who ever lived on earth. His uniqueness as a person, teacher and musician was reflected in his music. Bach laid the foundations of the music of New and Contemporary times, dividing the history of music into pre-Bach and post-Bach. There is an opinion that Bach's music is gloomy and gloomy. His music is rather fundamental and thorough, restrained and focused. Like the reflections of a mature, world-wise person. Bach's work influenced many composers. Some of them took cues from his works or used themes from them. And musicians all over the world play Bach’s music, admiring its beauty and perfection. One of the most sensational works —   "Brandenburg Concerts" -  excellent proof that Bach's music cannot be considered too dark:

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart is rightfully considered a genius. At the age of 4 he was already fluent in playing the violin and harpsichord, at the age of 6 he began composing music, and at 7 he was already skillfully improvising on the harpsichord, violin and organ, competing with famous musicians. Already at the age of 14, Mozart was a recognized composer, and at the age of 15, he was 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 did not want to imitate, he tried to create a new model that reflected the new individuality of the music. It is no coincidence that in Germany Mozart’s music is called “music of the soul”; in his works the composer showed traits of his sincere, loving nature. The greatest melodist attached special importance to opera. Mozart's operas represent an era in the development of this type of musical art. Mozart is 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 achieved the greatest success in all of them. 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 at all about classical music know about it. Beethoven is one of the most performed and respected composers in the world. The great composer witnessed the tremendous upheavals that occurred in Europe and redrew its map. These great upheavals, revolutions and military confrontations are reflected in the composer’s work, especially symphonic works. He embodied pictures of heroic struggle in music. In Beethoven's immortal works you will hear the struggle for freedom and brotherhood of people, an unshakable faith in the victory of light over darkness, as well as dreams of freedom and happiness for mankind. One of the most famous and amazing facts of his life is that his ear disease developed into complete deafness, but despite this, the composer continued to write music. He was also considered one of the best pianists. Beethoven's music is surprisingly simple and understandable to the widest circles of listeners. Generations and even eras change, but Beethoven’s music still excites and delights the hearts of people. One of his best works —   "Moonlight Sonata":

Richard Wagner

The name of the great Richard Wagner is most often associated with his masterpieces “The Wedding Choir” or "Ride of the Valkyries." But he is known not only as a composer, but also as a philosopher. Wagner viewed his musical works as a way of expressing a certain philosophical concept. A new musical era of operas began with Wagner. The composer tried to bring opera closer to life; music for him was only a means. Richard Wagner — creator of musical drama, reformer of operas and the art of conducting, innovator of the harmonic and melodic language of music, creator of new forms of musical expressiveness. Wagner — author of the world’s longest solo aria (14 minutes 46 seconds) and the world’s longest classical opera (5 hours and 15 minutes). During his lifetime, Richard Wagner was considered a controversial man, who was either adored or hated. And often both together. Mystical symbolism and anti-Semitism made him Hitler's favorite composer, but closed the way for his music to Israel. However, neither supporters nor opponents of the composer deny his greatness as a composer. From the very first notes, the wonderful music of Richard Wagner absorbs you completely, leaving no room for disputes and disagreements:

Franz Schubert

Austrian composer Franz Schubert 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 is in the top 10. Although Schubert's work is very diverse, in terms of the use of genres, ideas and transformations, vocal and song lyrics are predominant and defining in his music. Before Schubert, song was considered an insignificant genre, and it was he who elevated it to the level of artistic perfection. Moreover, he combined the seemingly incompatible song and chamber symphonic music, which gave rise to a new direction of lyrical-romantic symphony. Vocal and song lyrics are a world of simple and deep, subtle and even intimate human experiences, expressed not in words, but in sound. Franz Schubert lived a very short life, only 31 years. The fate of the composer's works is no less tragic than his life. After Schubert's death, 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 of Franz Schubert —   "Evening Serenade":

Robert Schumann

With an equally tragic fate, the German composer Robert Schumann is one of the best composers of the romantic era. He created music of amazing beauty. To get an idea of ​​19th century German romanticism, just listen to "Carnival" Robert Schumann. He was able to break free from 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 he could not decide between music, poetry, journalism and philology (he was a polyglot and translated fluently from English, French and Italian). He was also an amazing pianist. And yet Schumann’s main calling and passion was music. His poetic and deeply psychological music largely reflects the duality of the composer’s nature, a rush of passion and escape into the world of dreams, awareness of vulgar reality and the desire for the ideal. One of Robert Schumann's masterpieces that everyone simply must hear:

Frederic Chopin

Frederic Chopin is 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 Chopin more than once glorifies his homeland, admires the beauty of the landscapes, laments the tragic past, and dreams of a great future. Frederic Chopin is one of the few composers who wrote music exclusively for piano. His creative heritage includes neither operas nor symphonies, but piano pieces are presented in all their diversity. Chopin's works are 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":

Franz Liszt

Franz Liszt is one of the world's greatest composers. He lived a relatively long and surprisingly rich life, experienced poverty and wealth, met love and faced contempt. In addition to his natural talent, he had a fantastic ability to work. Franz Liszt earned not only the admiration of music connoisseurs and fans. Both as a composer and as a pianist he received universal praise from European critics in the 19th century. He created more than 1,300 works and, like Frederic Chopin, preferred works for piano. A brilliant pianist, Franz Liszt was able to reproduce the sound of an entire orchestra on the piano, he improvised masterfully, had a fantastic memory of musical compositions, and he had no equal in reading notes from sight. He had a pathetic style of performance, which was also reflected in his music, which was emotionally passionate and heroically upbeat, creating colorful musical pictures and making an indelible impression on listeners. The composer's calling card is his piano concertos. One of these works is “Years of Wanderings”. And one of Liszt’s most famous works is  "Dreams of Love":

Johannes Brahms

A significant figure of the romantic period in music is Johannes Brahms. Listening to and loving Brahms' music 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. His symphonies brought Brahms particular fame. Already in the first works the composer’s originality is evident, which over time transformed into his own style. If we consider all of Brahms's works, it cannot be said that the composer was greatly influenced by the work of his predecessors or contemporaries. And in terms of the scale of his creativity, Brahms is 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, the life of 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 Brahms's creative power was especially pronounced and original, is his "German Requiem", a work that the author created for 10 years and dedicated to his mother. In his music, Brahms glorifies the eternal values ​​of human life, which lie in the beauty of nature, the art of great talents of the past, and the culture of his homeland.

Giuseppe Verdi

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. His works still, a century after the death of the author, remain the most popular, widely performed, known to both connoisseurs and lovers of classical music.

For Verdi, the most important thing in opera was drama. The musical images of Rigoletto, Aida, Violetta, and Desdemona created by the composer organically combine the bright melodicism and depth of the characters, the democracy and sophistication of musical characteristics, violent passions and bright dreams. Verdi was a true psychologist in understanding human passions. His music is nobility and power, amazing beauty and harmony, inexpressibly beautiful melodies, beautiful arias and duets. Passions run high, comedy and tragedy intertwine and merge together. The plots of operas, according to Verdi himself, should be “original, interesting and... passionate, with passion above all else.” And most of his works are serious and tragic, demonstrating 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, Verdi 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, Verdi did not announce his reform, did not write articles about it, he simply wrote operas in a new way. The triumphant march of one of Verdi’s masterpieces, the opera Aida, swept across Italian stages and continued in Europe, as well as in Russia and America, forcing even skeptics to recognize the talent of the great composer.

At the end of the 17th and 18th centuries. New musical canons are beginning to emerge, which composers and musicians will follow for a long time. This century gave the world music that made an invaluable contribution to the world's cultural heritage. Composers of the 18th century are famous for such personalities as:

This is one of the greatest German composers, interest in whose personality and work does not fade over time, but, on the contrary, is increasing. But, unfortunately, he did not receive recognition during his lifetime. Johann had no choice of career other than music, because his ancestors were famous for their musicality.

The future genius was born in 1685 in the town of Eisenach. He owes his first steps in music to his father, who taught him to play the violin. Bach had a beautiful voice and sang in the city school choir. Those around him had no doubt that the boy would become an excellent musician.

Having become an orphan early, at the age of 15, Johann began an independent life. Despite the fact that the young composer lived in cramped circumstances and frequently moved, Bach’s interest in music never waned; he constantly expanded his knowledge of music through self-education.

Unlike his fellow composers, who tried to imitate foreign musicians in everything, Bach actively used German folk songs and dances in his works. But Johann was not only a talented composer, but also an excellent performer on the organ and harpsichord. If he was not known as a composer, then everyone recognized his mastery of playing these instruments.

But court society did not like the composer’s music: it was considered too bright, emotional, and human. But despite the public’s lack of recognition of his works, he never adjusted to their tastes. Bach wrote his best musical works in Leipzig, where he moved with his family and remained until the end of his life. There he created most of the cantatas, "The St. John Passion", "The St. Matthew Passion", and the Mass in B minor.

The composer's greatest joy, support and support was his family. The sons also became gifted musicians and gained fame during Bach's lifetime. His second wife and eldest daughter had a very beautiful voice. Therefore, Johann continued to write musical works for his family.

In the last years of his life, Bach began to have serious vision problems, and after an unsuccessful operation he became blind. But despite this, he did not abandon his creativity and continued to create compositions, dictating them for recording. His death went virtually unnoticed in the musical community, and he was soon forgotten. Interest in his music appeared only 100 years later, when, under the leadership of Mendelssohn, one of his most beautiful creations, “St. Matthew Passion,” was performed, and at the same time a collection of his musical compositions was released.

This genius of music was not appreciated by his contemporaries, who could not understand the full strength and depth of his talent, did not like him for his strong and independent character, but centuries later they are interested in his work and admire his talent. Wolfgang was born on January 27, 1756. His father was a court musician and, having early noticed musical abilities in Mozart’s sister, began to teach her music.

This marked the beginning of Wolfgang's work. The boy showed exceptional abilities for music at an early age: at the age of 5-6 years, he had already created his first musical works, while possessing a unique ear for music and an amazing memory. The father, seeing that his son has rare musical talents, decides to start a concert tour so that Wolfgang gains fame and does not become a court musician.

But despite the fact that everyone admired the boy and at the age of 12 his works became famous, society could not fully appreciate the full potential of the young musician. Therefore, after returning from the tour, Wolfgang became a court musician and suffered greatly from the situation in which he found himself. But not wanting to put up with being disrespected and treated inappropriately, he left Salzburg for Vienna.

It was during his stay in Vienna that his talent flourished. Soon he married a beautiful girl named Constanze Weber, and even his parents' disapproval could not prevent their happiness. The years he spent in Vienna cannot be called easy; rather, on the contrary. Being in need, Mozart had to work very hard, which affected his health. Despite the fact that his operas “The Marriage of Figaro” and “Don Giovanni” are a success, society is still unable to understand the full genius of Wolfgang.

Shortly before his death, Mozart wrote his greatest work, the opera The Magic Flute. At the same time, he creates "Requiem", but does not have time to complete it. On the night of December 4-5, 1791, the brilliant composer died. The circumstances of his death still remain unknown, which gives rise to many disputes among experts. Only after his death did the musical society and the whole world recognize the genius of Mozart, and his works are still considered masterpieces in music.

His “Seasons” has been on a par with other works of genius for several centuries. A virtuoso violinist who received recognition during his lifetime, who traveled a lot, an excellent teacher - all this is about the famous Italian composer Antonio Vivaldi.

Antonio was born on March 4, 1678 and became the only child in the family to choose a musical career. His musical talent manifested itself very early, and his first teacher was Giovanni Batista, who by that time had gained fame as a virtuoso. Studying his performance style suggests that the boy took lessons from other famous musicians.

Young Antonio decides to choose a career as a priest and on December 18, 1693 receives the lowest church rank. Later, he received three more “lower” and two “higher” church titles necessary to receive the priesthood. But despite his spiritual career, Vivaldi continued to play music very successfully.

And his intensive studies brought results: Antonio was appointed teacher at one of the best “conservatories” in Venice. His extensive and varied musical activity made the “conservatory” one of the most prominent in the city. At the beginning of his work, the composer paid great attention to the instrumental direction, which can be explained by the fact that the northern part of Italy and Venice were considered the center of the best instrumentalists.

Antonio Vivaldi gained fame outside of Italy, his works were successful, and studying with him was considered a high honor. In Mantua, the composer meets Anna Giraud and her sister Paolina. Soon both girls became permanent residents of the Vivaldi house, which caused discontent among the church leadership, who already did not like the fact that Antonio was on frequent travel.

On November 16, 1737, on behalf of the cardinal, the composer was prohibited from entering Ferrara, which in those days was considered a disgrace. This meant that now Vivaldi's entire spiritual career was destroyed and caused quite significant material damage. His relationship with the leadership of the “conservatory” deteriorated more and more. And it wasn’t just his frequent travels - Vivaldi’s music had already begun to be considered old-fashioned.

At the end of 1740, Antonio parted with the “conservatory”, which owed him many years of fame. Getting ready for a long trip and experiencing financial difficulties, Vivaldi arranges a sale of his concerts at a low price. At the age of 62, the composer decides to leave Italy and find happiness in other countries. But, despite the fact that he was once accepted by everyone and his works were admired, at the end of his life Antonio Vivaldi was forgotten and abandoned by everyone. The famous Italian virtuoso died on July 28, 1741 in Vienna. He is one of the most prominent representatives of composers of that time, and his instrumental compositions occupy a worthy place in the world musical heritage.

Composers of the 18th century had a huge influence on the future development of music, although they did not always receive recognition and fame during their lifetime. It’s just that the society of that era could not appreciate the full power of their talent, their beauty and depth. The framework imposed on them was too narrow for their talent; for them, music was the meaning of life. But their descendants were able to appreciate their work, and their brilliant works continue to be performed at all concerts to this day.

The Russian school, and as its continuation the Soviet and Russian school of composition, originates in the 18th century. One of the most significant professional composers of that time, worthy of mention in the Great History of Russian music, was D. S. Bortnyansky.

However, as often happened in the history of Russia, professional Russian music began by imitating and copying the West. In the case of Bortnyansky, this is a “copying” of Vivaldi’s music.

The Russian composer of the first half of the 19th century, Mikhail Glinka (considered the founder of Russian classical music), resolved this issue this way: the music should contain intonations and even entire melodies of folk music of the nationality to which the author belongs. He really used it very successfully and talentedly acquaintance in his music Russian-folk intonations and melodies. His brilliant music is purely Russian in spirit, and European in form.

Glinka’s words “the people compose music, we only orchestrate it” were picked up by other composers. I liked the idea and became a postulate, an immutable rule that many composers began to follow. United by this idea, the Russian school of composition began to take shape.

As always, only the most talented and ingenious went down in history.

List of great Russian composers