Great composers of the world. Great classical composers: list of the best

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

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

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Glass is one of the most controversial personalities in the world of modern classics, who is sometimes praised to the skies, sometimes to the nines. He has been playing in his own band, the Philip Glass Ensemble, for half a century and has written music for more than 50 films, including The Truman Show, The Illusionist, Taste of Life and Fantastic Four. The melodies of the American minimalist composer blur the line between classical and popular music.

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Author of numerous soundtracks, best film composer of 2008 according to the European Film Academy and post-minimalist. He won over critics with his first album Memoryhouse, in which Richter's music was superimposed on poetry readings, and subsequent albums also used literary prose. In addition to writing his own ambient compositions, Max arranges works of classics: Vivaldi’s “The Four Seasons” topped the iTunes charts in his arrangement.

This creator of instrumental music from Italy is not associated with the acclaimed cinema, but is already known as a composer, virtuoso and experienced piano teacher. If we describe Marradi’s work in two words, they would be “sensual” and “magical.” His compositions and covers will appeal to those who love retro classics: the notes of the last century are evident in the motifs.

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The famous film composer created musical accompaniment for many box-office films and cartoons, including “Gladiator”, “Pearl Harbor”, “Inception”, “Sherlock Holmes”, “Interstellar”, “Madagascar”, “The Lion King”. His star is on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and on his shelf are the Oscars, Grammys and Golden Globes. Zimmer's music is as varied as the films listed, but regardless of the tone, it touches the heartstrings.

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Hisaishi is one of the most famous Japanese composers, having received four Japanese Academy Film Awards for Best Film Score. Joe became famous for writing the soundtrack for the anime Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind. If you are a fan of the creations of Studio Ghibli or the films of Takeshi Kitano, then you probably admire Hisaishi's music. It is mostly light and light.

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

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Lee Rum'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 became the beginning of a love for piano music for many.

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The American composer is interesting because, 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.”

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This composer and pianist knows a lot about both the art of conducting and how to create electronic music. But his main field is modern classics. Cacciapaglia has recorded numerous albums, three of them with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. His music flows like water, it’s a great way to relax with it.

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 to this day their brilliant works continue to be performed at all concerts.

Great composers, whose names are widely known throughout the world, have created a huge number of valuable works. Their creations are truly unique. Each of them has an individual and unique style.

Great composers of the world (foreign). List

Below are foreign composers from different centuries, whose names are known throughout the world. This:

• A. Vivaldi.
• J. S. Bach.
• W. A. ​​Mozart.
• I. Brahms.
• J. Haydn.
• R. Schumann.
• F. Schubert.
• L. Beethoven.
• I. Strauss.
• R. Wagner.
• G. Verdi.
• A. Berg.
• A. Schoenberg.
• J. Gershwin.
• O. Messiaen.
• C. Ives.
• B. Britten.

Great composers of the world (Russian). List

He created a large number of operettas, worked with light musical forms of a dance nature, in which he was very successful. Thanks to Strauss, the waltz became an extremely popular dance in Vienna. By the way, balls are still held there. The composer's heritage includes polkas, ballets and quadrilles.

And G. Verdi are great who created a huge number of operas that won the sincere love of the audience.

The German Richard Wagner was the most prominent representative of modernism in the music of this century. His opera heritage is rich. Tannhäuser, Lohengrin, The Flying Dutchman and other operas are still relevant, popular and performed on stage.

The Italian composer Giuseppe Verdi is quite a majestic figure. He gave Italian opera a new breath, while remaining true to operatic traditions.

Russian composers of the 19th century

M. I. Glinka, A. P. Borodin, M. P. Mussorgsky, P. I. Tchaikovsky are the great composers of classical music of the 19th century who lived and created their works in Russia.

The works of Mikhail Ivanovich Glinka have determined national and world significance in the history of Russian music. His work, which grew up on Russian folk songs, is deeply national. He is rightfully considered an innovator, the founder of Russian musical classics. Glinka worked fruitfully in all of his operas “Ivan Susanin” (“Life for the Tsar”) and “Ruslan and Lyudmila” opened the way for two leading directions. His symphonic works were also of great importance in the development of musical art: “Kamarinskaya”, “Waltz-Fantasy” and many others.

Alexander Porfirievich Borodin is a great Russian composer. His work is small in volume, but significant in content. The central place is occupied by heroic historical images. He closely intertwines deep lyricism with epic breadth. The opera “Prince Igor” combines the features of folk musical drama and epic opera. His first and second symphonies mark a new direction in Russian symphony - heroic-epic. In the field of chamber vocal lyrics, he became a true innovator. His romances: “The Sea”, “For the Shores of the Distant Fatherland”, “Song of the Dark Forest” and many others. Borodin had a significant influence on his followers.

Modest Petrovich Mussorgsky is another great Russian composer of the 19th century. He was a member of the Balakirev circle, which was called the “Mighty Handful”. He worked fruitfully in a variety of genres. His operas are wonderful: “Khovanshchina”, “Boris Godunov”, “Sorochinskaya Fair”. His works revealed traits of creative individuality. He owns a number of romances: “Kalistrat”, “Seminarist”, “Lullaby to Eremushka”, “Orphan”, “Svetik Savishna”. They capture unique national characters.

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky - composer, conductor, teacher.

Opera and symphonic genres were leading in his work. The content of his music is universal. His operas “The Queen of Spades” and “Eugene Onegin” are masterpieces of Russian classical music. The symphony also occupies a central place in his work. His works became known throughout the world during his lifetime.

Representatives of the new Viennese school

A. Berg, A. Webern, A. Schoenberg are great composers who lived and created their works throughout the 20th century.

Alban Berg became world famous thanks to his amazing opera Wozzeck, which made a strong impression on listeners. He wrote it over several years. Its premiere took place on December 14, 1925. At the moment, Wozzeck is a classic example of 20th century opera.

Anton Webern is an Austrian composer, one of the brightest representatives of the new Viennese school. In his works he used serial and dodecaphonic techniques. He is characterized by conciseness and laconicism of thought, concentration of musical and expressive means. His work had a profound influence on Stravinsky, Boulez, Gubaidulina and many other Russian and foreign composers.

Arnold Schoenberg is a prominent representative of such a musical style as expressionism. Author of serial and dodecaphonic techniques. His compositions: Second String Quartet (F-sharp minor), "Drama with music for choir and orchestra", the opera "Moses and Aaron" and many others.

J. Gershwin, O. Messiaen, C. Ives

These are the great composers of the 20th century who are famous all over the world.

George Gershwin is an American composer and pianist. He became extremely popular thanks to his large-scale work Porgy and Bess. This is a “folklore” opera. It is based on the novel by DuBose Hayward. His instrumental works are no less famous: “Rhapsody in Blue for Piano and Orchestra”, “An American in Paris”, “Second Rhapsody” and many others.

Olivier Messiaen is a French composer, organist, teacher, and music theorist. In his remarkable theoretical works, he outlined new and quite complex principles of musical composition. Theological ideas were reflected in his works. He was very fascinated by the voices of birds. So he created “Bird Catalog” for piano.

Charles Ives is an American composer. His work was influenced by folk music. Therefore, his style is extremely unique. He created five symphonies, five violin sonatas, two piano sonatas, the cantata “Heavenly Country” and many other works.

Russian composers of the 20th century

S. S. Prokofiev, I. F. Stravinsky, D. D. Shostakovich are the great composers of the 20th century.

Sergei Sergeevich Prokofiev - composer, conductor, pianist.

His music is varied in content. It contains lyrics and epic, humor and drama, psychologism and characterization. Opera and ballet creativity laid down new principles and techniques of musical dramaturgy. His operas are “The Gambler”, “The Love for Three Oranges”, “War and Peace”. Prokofiev worked in the genre of film music. His cantata “Alexander Nevsky”, created in collaboration with director S. Eisenstein, is widely known.

Igor Fedorovich Stravinsky - emigrant composer, conductor.

His work is divided into Russian and foreign periods. His brightest ballets: “Petrushka”, “The Rite of Spring”, “Firebird”. Stravinsky also made a great contribution to the symphonic genre.

Dmitry Dmitrievich Shostakovich - composer, teacher, pianist. His work is multifaceted in genres and figurative content. Particularly important is his importance as a composer-symphonist. His fifteen symphonies reflect the complex world of human feelings with experiences, struggles, and tragic conflicts. His opera “Katerina Izmailova” is an excellent composition of this genre.

Conclusion

The music of great composers is written in different genres, contains multifaceted plots, constantly updated techniques corresponding to a particular era. Some composers have achieved excellence in a few genres, while others have successfully covered almost all fields. Of the entire galaxy of great composers, it is difficult to single out the best. All of them made a significant contribution to the history of world musical culture.

Music is one of the most beautiful creations of humanity. It is capable of influencing the innermost strings of the soul, inducing noble and even...

The most famous composers in the world: list of names, brief overview of works

From Masterweb

20.04.2018 20:00

Music is one of the most beautiful creations of humanity. It is capable of influencing the innermost strings of the soul, inducing 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 innate talent. We invite you to find out who the most famous composers of classical music are, who created the most famous operas, concerts, symphonies and ballets.

Saint Hildegard of Bingen

This 12th-century nun is considered the “mother of opera.” She recorded more than 70 chants, including the composition Ordo Virtutum. There are 16 female parties of “Virtues” and one male party, personifying the Devil. The music of Saint Hildegard greatly influenced Renaissance composers.

Guillaume Dufay

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

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

Giovanni da Palestrina

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

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

Antonio Vivaldi

The work “The Seasons” alone by this great Italian is enough for him to be included in the list of “Famous Composers of All Time”. Vivaldi is considered the musician thanks to whom the transition from heavy-sounding baroque music to light classical music took place. 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.

George Frideric 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 famous composer, Handel told one of his admirers that his goal was always to make people better through his music.

Johann Sebastian Bach

The most famous composers of the 19th and 20th centuries more than once called this great musician their teacher. In total, he wrote more than 1,000 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 keyboard music.

Ludwig van Beethoven, born 20 years after the death of his elder 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., wanting to express their respect to him, included Bach’s musical phrases in their works.

Franz Joseph Haydn

The musician lived his entire life in Austria and, in his own words, was “doomed to become original,” since 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 could Haydn change the terms of the contract, according to which for 18 years all his works were considered the property of the Hungarian magnate Esterhazy clan. 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

There is probably no such famous classical music composer whose works are as popular today as Mozart’s compositions. Even many rock stars perform them in modern adaptations and use them as accompaniment for famous rappers.

Amadeus's musical heritage amounts to more than six hundred compositions. He is one of 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 could play the harpsichord and violin excellently.

The composer’s masterpieces include “Requiem”, “The Marriage of Figaro”, “Turkish March”, “Little Night Serenade”, “Don Juan”, 41 symphonies, etc. They amaze with their perfection and ease of perception. Even those who do not consider themselves fans 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 staged 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 pandering to the tastes of the common people. However, subsequent generations recognized many of his works as masterpieces of world art. They are particularly melodious and can be easily reproduced even by those who do not have a special ear for music or 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 composer’s most frequently performed works is “Ode to Joy,” which was included in Beethoven’s 9th Symphony. It is recognized as the official EU anthem.

Richard Wagner

In the list of “Famous Music Composers of 19th Century Germany,” 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 plot and place. In addition, the composer is the founder of musical drama, who 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 created and are creating serious works. However, the king of the waltz, Johann Strauss, certainly deserves to be included among the people who 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 are listened to even by those who are not fans of classical music.

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 increasing 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 autobiography of Chopin

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.

Dvorzek's most famous works include Symphony No. 9 "From the New World", "Requiem", the opera "Rusalka", "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 composers of Russia 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 operatic art.
• Pyotr Tchaikovsky. This great musician is one of the most famous composers in the world.

Tchaikovsky considered one of his most important missions to be increasing the glory of his homeland. And he succeeded to the fullest, since today 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. Tchaikovsky’s works are especially famous, such 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 world musical art.
• Dmitry Shostakovich. During the days of the siege of Leningrad, the whole world was shocked by the premiere performance of the composer's "Leningrad Symphony". Shostakovich managed to convey through the language of music the determination of the city’s defenders to fight to the last drop of blood. Despite persecution and accusations of bourgeois decadence, the composer continued to create original works that put him on par with the most famous composers of the 20th century.

Famous composers of our time

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 film works. His music for the opera film The Umbrellas of Cherbourg brought Legrand his first Oscar nomination. Later, the composer received this award three times, and also received the Benois 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 circle of music lovers for his soundtracks; for example, everyone knows the melody he wrote for the French film “1 + 1”.
• Philip Glass. The composer initially worked in the field of classical music, but over time he was able to blur the line between it and modern musical trends. For several decades now, Glass has been playing in his own group, the Philip Glass Ensemble. Film buffs are familiar with his works written for the films “The Illusionist”, “The Truman Show”, “Taste of Life” and “Fantastic Four”.
• Giovanni Marradi. The composer has nothing to do with cinema, but has gained popularity thanks 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 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.

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The Russian school of composition, the continuation of whose traditions were 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 difficult and sometimes tragic fates, but in this review we tried to give only a brief description of the life and work of the composers.

1. Mikhail Ivanovich Glinka

(1804-1857)

Mikhail Ivanovich Glinka during the composition of the opera “Ruslan and Lyudmila”. 1887, artist Ilya Efimovich Repin

“To create beauty, you yourself must be pure in soul.”

Mikhail Ivanovich Glinka is the founder of Russian classical music and the first Russian 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, he received his education 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 for his work was added by a many-year 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 the production of 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 like Susanin also appeared, whose image summarizes the best features of the national character.

V.F. 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 is the epic “Ruslan and Lyudmila” (1842), work on which was carried out against the backdrop of Pushkin’s death and in the difficult living conditions of the composer, due to the deeply innovative nature of the work, was received ambiguously by the audience and the authorities, and brought difficult times for M.I. Glinka experiences. After that, he traveled a lot, alternately living in Russia and abroad, without stopping composing. His legacy includes romances, symphonic and chamber works. 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 an entire oak tree in an acorn, is contained in the symphonic fantasy “Kamarinskaya”. P.I.Tchaikovsky

Interesting fact: Mikhail Ivanovich Glinka was not in 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 Porfirievich Borodin

(1833-1887)

Alexander Porfirievich 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 literary talent.

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

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

The formation of A.P. Borodin was influenced by the work of M.I. Glinka (as indeed all Russian composers of the 19th century), and the impetus for intensive study of composition in the early 1860s was given by two events - firstly, his acquaintance and marriage with the talented pianist E.S. Protopopova, and secondly, a meeting with M.A. Balakirev and joining the creative community of Russian composers, known as the “Mighty Handful”.

In the late 1870s and 1880s, A.P. Borodin traveled and toured a lot in Europe and America, met with 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 a national heroic epic in music and which he himself did not have time to complete (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 ​​the composer’s entire work is reflected - courage, calm greatness, spiritual nobility of the best Russian people and the mighty strength of the entire Russian people, manifested in the defense of their homeland.

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 in symphony, opera and 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, which he was the first to study in 1861, is named after Borodin.

3. Modest Petrovich Mussorgsky

(1839-1881)

“The sounds of human speech, as outward manifestations of thought and feeling, must, without exaggeration and violence, become music that is truthful, accurate, 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, he showed ability in music from childhood, studied in St. Petersburg, and 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 had not known before him, showing in them a combination of mass folk scenes and a diverse wealth 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 permeated with a Russian theme-refrain and Orthodox faith.

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

His last years were difficult - unsettled life, lack of recognition of creativity, loneliness, addiction to alcohol, all this determined his early death at the age of 42, he left relatively few works, some of which were completed by other composers.

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

Quote about M.P. Mussorgsky:“The original Russian sounds in everything that Mussorgsky created” 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 donated them to Tertius Filippov.

4. Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

(1840-1893)

“I am an artist who can and should bring honor to my Motherland. I feel great artistic strength in myself; I have not yet done even a tenth of what I can do. And I want to do this 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 jurisprudence.

Tchaikovsky was 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, as opposed to the popular figures of the “Mighty Handful”, with whom he had good creative and friendly relations, but 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 the Russians traditions inherited from Mikhail Glinka.

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

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

Selecting something best from Tchaikovsky’s work is a difficult task; he has several equal works in almost all musical genres - opera, ballet, symphony, chamber music. And the content of Tchaikovsky’s music is universal: with inimitable melodicism it embraces images of life and death, love, nature, childhood, it reveals works of Russian and world literature in a new way, and reflects the deep processes of spiritual life.

Composer quote:“Life has beauty only when it consists of 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.”

Quote about the composer: “I am ready to stand as a guard of honor day and night at the porch of the house where Pyotr Ilyich lives - that is how much I respect him.” A.P. Chekhov

Interesting fact: The University of Cambridge awarded Tchaikovsky the title of Doctor of Music in absentia and without defending a dissertation, and 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 Russian musical heritage. His unique world and worship of the eternal all-encompassing beauty of the universe, admiration for the miracle of existence, 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, and traveled around many countries in Europe and the two Americas on a warship. He received his musical education first from his mother, then taking private lessons from pianist F. Canille. And again, thanks to M.A. Balakirev, the organizer of the “Mighty Handful,” who introduced Rimsky-Korsakov into the musical community and influenced his work, the world did not lose a talented composer.

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

Two main directions distinguish the composer’s work: the first is Russian history, the second is the world of fairy tales and epics, for which he received the nickname “storyteller.”

In addition to his 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 a completionist of the works of his friends - Dargomyzhsky, Mussorgsky and Borodin. Rimsky-Korsakov was the creator of a school of composition; as a teacher and director of the St. Petersburg Conservatory, he trained about two hundred composers, conductors, and musicologists, among them Prokofiev and Stravinsky.

Quote about the composer:“Rimsky-Korsakov was a very Russian man and a very Russian composer. I believe that this primordially Russian essence of it, its deep folklore-Russian basis should be especially appreciated today.” Mstislav Rostropovich

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

- Now I will talk a lot, and you will listen very carefully. Then I will talk 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...