The work of M.I. Glinka marked a new historical stage in the development of musical culture - the classical one. He managed to combine the best European trends with national traditions. Attention deserves all the work of Glinka. All genres in which he worked fruitfully should be briefly characterized. The first is his opera. They have acquired great importance, since they truthfully recreate the heroic events of past years. His romances are filled with special sensuality and beauty. Incredible picturesqueness is inherent in symphonic works. In a folk song, Glinka discovered an inexhaustible source of poetry and created a truly democratic national art.
Creativity and biography of Glinka. Childhood and youth
Born May 20, 1804. His childhood passed in the village of Novospassky. Tales and songs of the nanny Avdotya Ivanovna were vivid and remembered for a lifetime. He was always attracted by the sound of bell ringing, which he soon began to imitate on copper basins. He began to read early and was inquisitive by nature. The reading of the old edition "On Travels in General" favorably affected. It aroused great interest in travel, geography, painting and music. Before entering a noble guesthouse, he took piano lessons and quickly excelled in this difficult task.
In the winter of 1817 he was sent to Petersburg to a boarding house, where he spent four years. He studied under Bem and Field. The life and work of Glinka in the period from 1823 to 1830 was very eventful. From 1824 he visited the Caucasus, where until 1828 he served as assistant secretary of railways. From 1819 to 1828 periodically visits his native Novospassky. After meeting new friends in St. Petersburg (P. Yushkov and D. Demidov). During this period he creates his first romances. It:
- Elegy "Do not tempt me" to the words of Baratynsky.
- "Poor singer" to the words of Zhukovsky.
- "I love, you told me" and "Bitterly to me, bitterly" to Korsak's words.
He writes piano plays, makes the first attempt to write the opera Life for the Tsar.
First trip abroad
In 1830 he went to Italy, on the way he was in Germany. This was his first trip abroad. He went here to improve his health and enjoy the natural environment of an unknown country. The impressions he received gave him material for the eastern scenes of the opera Ruslan and Lyudmila. He was in Italy until 1833, mainly in Milan.
Glinka’s life and work in this country proceeds successfully, easily and naturally. Here he meets the painter K. Bryullov, the Moscow professor S. Shevyryaev. Of the composers - with Donizetti, Mendelssohn, Berlioz and others. In Milan, he publishes some of his works with Riccordi.
In 1831-1832 he composed two serenades, a series of romances, Italian cavatins, and a sextet in key in E flat major. In aristocratic circles, he was known as Maestro russo.
In July 1833 he went to Vienna, and then spent about six months in Berlin. Here he enriches his technical knowledge with the famous counterpoint painter Z. Den. Subsequently, under his leadership, he wrote the Russian Symphony. At this time, the composer's talent is developing. Glinka’s creativity is becoming freer from other people's influence, he is more conscious of him. In his Notes, he admits that all this time he was looking for his way and style. After yearning for his homeland, he thinks about writing in Russian.
Homecoming
In the spring of 1834, Mikhail arrived in Novospasskoye. He thought to go abroad again, but decides to stay in his native land. In the summer of 1834 sent to Moscow. He meets Melgunov here and restores his former acquaintances with music and literary circles. Among them are Aksakov, Verstovsky, Pogodin, Shevyrev. Glinka decided to create a Russian national opera. He took up the romantic opera "Maryina Roscha" (on the plot of Zhukovsky). The composer's plan was not implemented, the sketches did not reach us.
In the fall of 1834 he came to St. Petersburg, where he attended literary and amateur circles. Once Zhukovsky told him to take the plot of "Ivan Susanin." During this period of time he composes such romances: "Do not call it heavenly," "Do not say love will pass," "I only recognized you," "I am here, Inezilla." In his personal life, he has a great event - marriage. Along with this, he became interested in writing Russian opera. Personal experiences influenced the work of Glinka, in particular the music of his opera. Initially, the composer planned to write a cantata consisting of three paintings. The first was to be called the rural scene, the second - Polish, the third - the grand finale. But under the influence of Zhukovsky, he created a dramatic opera consisting of five acts.
The premiere of "Life for the Tsar" took place on November 27, 1836. V. Odoevsky appreciated it. Emperor Nicholas I presented Glinka with a ring for 4000 rubles. After a couple of months, he appointed him Kapellmeister. In 1839, for several reasons, Glinka resigned. During this period, fruitful work continues. Glinka Mikhail Ivanovich wrote such compositions: "Night Watch", "North Star", another scene from "Ivan Susanin". Accepted for a new opera on the plot of "Ruslan and Lyudmila" on the advice of Shakhovsky. In November 1839, divorced his wife. During the period of life with the "brotherhood" (1839-1841) creates a number of romances. The opera "Ruslan and Lyudmila" was a long-awaited event, tickets were sold out in advance. The premiere took place on 11/27/1842. The success was overwhelming. After 53 performances, they stopped staging the opera. The composer decided that his brainchild was underestimated, and he began to apathy. Glinka's work is suspended for a year.
Travel to distant countries
In the summer of 1843 he travels through Germany to Paris, where he is until the spring of 1844.
Resumes old acquaintances, is friends with Berlioz. Glinka was impressed by his works. He studies his programmatic compositions. In Paris, he maintains friendly relations with Merimet, Hertz, Châteauneuf and many other musicians and writers. Then he visits Spain, where he lives for two years. He was in Andalusia, Granada, Valladolid, Madrid, Pamplona, Segovia. Composes Aragonese Hota. Here he takes a break from pressing Petersburg problems. Walking around Spain, Mikhail Ivanovich collected folk songs and dances, wrote them down in a book. Some of them formed the basis of the work "Night in Madrid". From the letters of Glinka, it becomes obvious that in Spain he rests heart and soul, here he lives very well.
last years of life
In July 1847 he returned to his homeland. Lives a certain time in Novospassky. Creativity of Mikhail Glinka in this period is renewed with renewed vigor. He writes several piano pieces, the song "You Will Forget Me Forget" and others. In the spring of 1848 he leaves for Warsaw and lives here until the fall. He writes for the Kamarinskaya orchestra, Night in Madrid, and romances. In November 1848 he came to Petersburg, where he was sick all winter.
In the spring of 1849 he again went to Warsaw and lived here until the autumn of 1851. In July of this year he became ill, having received the sad news of the death of his mother. In September he returns to Petersburg, lives with his sister L. Shestakova. Composes extremely rarely. In May 1852 he went to Paris and was here until May 1854. From 1854-1856 he lives in St. Petersburg with his sister. He is fond of Russian singer D. Leonova. For her concerts creates arrangements. April 27, 1856 he left for Berlin, where he settled next to Den. Every day he came to visit him and supervised the studies in strict style. Creativity M.I. Glinka could continue. But on the evening of January 9, 1857, he caught a cold. February 3, Mikhail Ivanovich died.
What is Glinka's innovation?
M. I. Glinka created the Russian style in musical art. He was the first composer in Russia to combine musical equipment with a song depot (Russian folk) (this applies to melody, harmony, rhythm and counterpoint). Creativity of the composer Glinka contains quite vivid examples of such a plan. This is his folk musical drama Life for the Tsar, the epic opera Ruslan and Lyudmila. As an example of the Russian symphonic style, one can name Kamarinskaya, Prince Kholmsky, the overture and intermission for both of his operas. His romances are highly artistic examples of lyrically and dramatically pronounced songs. Glinka is rightly considered a classic master of world significance.
Symphonic creation
For the symphony orchestra, the composer created a small number of works. But their role in the history of musical art turned out to be so important that they are considered the basis of Russian classical symphony. Almost all belong to the genre of fantasies or single-part overtures. Aragonese Hota, Waltz Fantasy, Kamarinskaya, Prince Kholmsky and Night in Madrid comprise Glinka's symphonic work. The composer laid down new principles of development.
The main features of his symphonic overtures:
- Availability.
- The principle of generalized programming.
- The uniqueness of forms.
- Compression, conciseness of forms.
- Dependence on the general artistic concept.
Glinka's symphonic work was successfully described by P. Tchaikovsky, comparing Kamarinskaya with oak and acorn. And he emphasized that in this work an entire Russian symphonic school.
The composer's opera legacy
"Ivan Susanin" ("Life for the Tsar") and "Ruslan and Lyudmila" make up Glinka's opera work. The first opera is a folk music drama. It intertwines several genres. Firstly, this is a heroic-epic opera (the plot is based on historical events of 1612). Secondly, it contains features of an epic opera, lyric-psychological and folk musical drama. If "Ivan Susanin" continues European trends, then "Ruslan and Lyudmila" is a new type of dramaturgy - epic.
It was written in 1842. The audience could not appreciate it, it was incomprehensible to the majority. V. Stasov was one of the few critics who noticed its significance for the entire Russian musical culture. He emphasized that this is not just an unsuccessful opera, it is a new type of dramaturgy, completely unknown. Features of the opera "Ruslan and Lyudmila":
- Slow development.
- No direct conflicts.
- Romantic trends - colorful and picturesque.
Romances and songs
Glinka's vocal work was created by the composer throughout his life. He wrote more than 70 romances. A variety of feelings are embodied in them: love, sadness, emotional impulse, delight, disappointment, etc. Some of them depict scenes of life and nature. Glinka is subject to all kinds of domestic romance. This is a ballad, "Russian song", serenade, elegy. It also covers household dances such as waltz, polka and Mazurka. The composer refers to genres that are characteristic of the music of other nations. These are Italian barcarole and Spanish bolero. The forms of romances are quite diverse: three-part, simple couplet, complex, rondo. Glinka's vocal work includes the texts of twenty poets. He managed to convey in music the features of the poetic language of each author. The main means of expressing many romances is the chanting melody of a wide breath. The piano part plays a huge role. Almost all romances have intros that introduce actions into the atmosphere and set the mood. Glinka’s romances are very famous, such as:
- "The fire of desire burns in blood."
- The Lark.
- "A fair song".
- "Doubt".
- "I remember a wonderful moment."
- "Do not tempt."
- "You will soon forget me."
- "Don't say your heart hurts."
- "Don't sing, beauty, with me."
- "Confession".
- "Night watch."
- "Memory".
- "To her".
- "I'm here, Inesilla."
- "Oh, whether you are night, nightie."
- "At the difficult moment of life."
Glinka's chamber-instrumental work (briefly)
A striking example of an instrumental ensemble is a large piece for piano and Glinka's string quintet. This is a wonderful divertissement based on Bellini's famous opera Somnambula. New ideas and tasks are embodied in two chamber ensembles: The Big Sextet and The Pathetic Trio. And although in these works one feels a dependence on the Italian tradition, they are quite distinctive and original. In "Sextet" there is a rich melody, embossed theme, slender form. This is a concert type ensemble . In this work, Glinka tried to convey the beauty of Italian nature. "Trio" is the exact opposite of the first ensemble. His character is gloomy and excited.
Glinka’s chamber work greatly enriched the performing repertoire of violinists, pianists, violists, clarinetists. Chamber ensembles attract listeners with an extraordinary depth of musical thoughts, a variety of rhythm formulas, and the naturalness of melodic breathing.
Conclusion
Glinka's musical creativity combines the best European trends with national traditions. A new stage in the history of the development of musical art, called the "classical", is associated with the name of the composer. Glinka's work embraces various genres that have taken their place in the history of Russian music and deserve attention from listeners and researchers. Each of his operas opens a new type of dramaturgy. "Ivan Susanin" is a folk musical drama that combines various features. "Ruslan and Lyudmila" is a fabulously epic opera without pronounced conflicts. It develops calmly and leisurely. It is inherent in colorfulness and picturesqueness. His operas have acquired tremendous importance, since they truly recreate the heroic events of past years. There are few written symphonic works. However, they could not only please the listeners, but also become a real asset and the foundation of Russian symphony, as they are characterized by incredible picturesqueness.
The vocal work of the composer has about 70 works. All of them are charming and delightful. They embody various emotions, feelings and moods. They are filled with special beauty. The composer refers to different genres and forms. As for chamber-instrumental works, they are also not numerous. However, their role is no less important. They replenished the performing repertoire with new worthy samples.