The best examples of classical music, time-tested, and today make us think, feel sad, or, conversely, smile and forget about everything. These masterpieces include Oginsky polonaise. This work is familiar to each of us from school. Nevertheless, one can often hear the question: “Who wrote the Oginsky polonaise?” In this article we will reveal the story of the creation of this musical masterpiece and focus on the work of the composer who composed it.
Who wrote the Oginsky polonaise?
The author of this immortal play is a Polish musician, and later a political figure - Michael Kleofas Oginsky. He was born in 1728 in the Guzov estate, located near Warsaw. His parents belonged to aristocratic circles. Therefore, from early childhood, Mikhail studied music and learned to play many instruments: harp, violin, piano, cello. Already in his youth, he creates the first works - romances, songs, polonaises, small operas. Young Oginsky continues to improve his musical skills in Italy with such masters as P. Bayot and J. Viotti. In the seventies, he was active in political activity, seeking independence of his native Poland. Since 1789, Mikhail has been working as the Polish ambassador to Holland and England. In 1794, the composer was elected to the National Council. After the uprising, T. Kosciuszko, in which he was directly involved, the composer immigrates to Italy. There he lives in Constantinople, and since 1823 in Florence.
The works of Michael Cleophas
Answering the question of who wrote the Oginsky polonaise, it is impossible not to affect the composer's work. His legacy is composed of numerous romances and piano pieces - mazurkas, polonaises, minuets, marches, waltzes. Almost all compositions are characterized by the presence in the melody and rhythm of national Polish features and elements, special lyricism and grace. And in the 70s polonaise was very popular among listeners. One of them is in F major, which received the unofficial name “Partition of Poland”. It was created under the influence of political events taking place in those years. Oginsky’s polonaises had a huge impact on subsequent generations of Polish composers. In the 19th century, they constantly sound at balls and dinner parties in St. Petersburg and Moscow.
Oginsky's Polonaise “Farewell to the Motherland”
This work, created in 1794, is rightfully considered the best work of Michael Cleophas. Historians believe that the composer wrote a polonaise, suddenly leaving the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth in connection with the suppression of the uprising of Tadeusz Kosciuszko by Russian troops. Oginsky's polonaise (organ and violin) most accurately conveys the composer's mood, his yearning for his homeland. It symbolizes parting with the country, and in every sense - as leaving for the cordon and as farewell to the Commonwealth captured by the winners. Today in Poland this polonaise is considered a musical symbol. Suggestions were even made to make it a national anthem. Here is such a difficult story with this musical masterpiece. Now, dear readers, the question “Who wrote the Oginsky polonaise?” Does not baffle you?