Nocturne is not the name of a popular hair salon or a new pastry shop around the corner. This is not a poetic syllable, not the name of your favorite sweets or delicious coffee. The concept of "nocturne" came to us from Europe, and translated from French means "night". Perhaps this is why the first time nocturnes were decided to be performed only in the evening, standing under the windows of the lady of the heart.
Nocturne as he is
Most music books interpret the meaning of the word “nocturne” as a small lyrical play of a dreamy character with an easy and relaxed pace, as well as an elegant and romantic manner of performance.
A calm melodic piece captivates with its lyrics and musical tints, conjures up thoughts of a bright future or sends warm memories of happy moments of life to the country.
These works include several parts, usually three - usually a quiet introduction, a more lively second part, and the nocturne is crowned with the same calm music as at the beginning, the music of the third fragment, sometimes accompanied by loud outputs. They are small and very easy to perceive, sincere.
Sounds of the past
Let's see how people of different eras and generations understood what a nocturne is. In the Middle Ages, nocturne was attributed to religious genres, so they played such works exclusively in the early morning. He received his main development as a musical genre in the following centuries.
In XVIII, a nocturne is a small play performed exclusively in the fresh air and worn in a variety of ways. More often she was playful, mischievous, entertaining, sometimes even dancing. At the end of it, team notes were always heard that informed the audience about the departure of the musicians. Nocturnes were composed for a variety of instruments, as a rule, they were performed by orchestras with wind or string compositions.
The 19th century is primarily associated with the name of the Irish composer John Field. He was the first to use the French word “nocturne”, and not only introduced it into everyday life, but he also filled the concept with a new meaning. He created eighteen works, the melodies of which have a rich sound range, and they are also filled with romance, melodiousness and soulful notes. The musicians of that era created calm, flowing, brooding motifs. In their works, they sought to convey the whole gamut of feelings and emotions that a person can experience.
F.F. Chopin
The concept of a nocturne is inextricably linked with the work of the talented and virtuoso pianist Frederic Chopin. Perhaps he was the best in this musical direction. The composer wrote twenty diverse and surprisingly shaped nocturnes. They are bright and emotional, sad and thoughtful, impudent and exciting, calm and restrained. One of the best and most memorable works of Chopin in this musical genre is the nocturne in D flat major. Its peculiarity is that in the final part of the light, sensual and exciting theme of the work, a dialogue sounds.
Haydn
Quite justifiably, I recall the wonderful representative of the Viennese classical school - Franz Josef Hyde. Nocturne in his performance has always been distinguished by a special manner of reproduction. He created several melodic themes for frictional musical instruments, and, what I especially want to note, this was done by order of the King of Naples.
In addition to Frederic Chopin and Joseph Haydn, such eminent Western European composers as E. Grieg, F. Liszt, R. Schumann and many others turned to the nocturne genre.
Nocturne. Glinka
The genre of lyrical nocturne in the work of Russian composers was peculiar. To better understand it, we turn to the experience of the great musician - Mikhail Ivanovich Glinka.
Of the piano nocturnes, his compositions are primarily remembered, since he was an unsurpassed master of black and white keys. In the genre of lyric miniatures, the composer has written several wonderful works. And the first among them is the Nocturne of Separation, dedicated to his sister Elizabeth Ivanovna Fleury. The composition breathes emotion, differs in smooth and melodic transitions, touching and soft mood. A recognized masterpiece is not only an excellent example of instrumental craftsmanship, but also a true example of the modern lyrical genre, the path to which the outstanding figure of piano music - Mikhail Glinka began to pave.
The original and intricate features of melodies are also inherent in the nocturnes of such revered Russian composers as Scriabin, Balakirev, Rachmaninov, Tchaikovsky.
Nocturne these days
Modern melodies have undergone a number of changes; they are somewhat different from the pattern familiar to past centuries. Today, nocturne is rather a figurative concept, which includes a mixture of styles of diverse music. It can be heard both in the hall of the conservatory or philharmonic society performed by the classical orchestra, and at the concert venues of the country in an unusual vocal embodiment. A good example in this regard are the performances of Muslim Magomayev, Joseph Kobzon, Valeria and many others.
A small instrumental piece with sentimental and melodic notes can touch even the most callous heart. Nocturne is not just a musical creation. This is a special recognition, a real confession that catches the thin strings of a person’s soul and allows you to enjoy an unusually sensual melody with a lively character.