What is a romance? Its main characteristics and components, as well as the history of the origin and development of the ancient genre. The role of Mikhail Glinka in the development of Russian romance.
Excellent lyrical performance accompanied by live music always touched the hearts of listeners and connoisseurs of classics. It is amazing how such a short musical creation can affect the farthest strings of our soul. Romance is an amazing combination of poetry and music, which has found many admirers. Three varieties are distinguished in the melodic and poetic genre: barcarole (rhythmic song), elegy (song-meditation), ballad (story song).
Romance is an old genre
Its history is rooted in the Middle Ages. The term “romance” itself originated in medieval Spain. In that period of history, a genre of secular songs appeared, usually these were poems by famous poets of the Romantic era, laid on music and conveying deep feelings. By the way, today the words “romance” and “song” are identical in many languages.
Over time, this musical genre gained such popularity that single works began to be combined into whole vocal cycles. It is symbolic that the first such cycle was created by the genius of world music and the father of the classics - Beethoven. His idea was picked up and continued by no less famous musicians such as Brahms, Schumann and Schubert.
The main characteristics of the romance
A romance is a musical poem similar to a song. But still there are significant differences in the very construction of the work. For example, in it there is absolutely no refrain, or, as it is also called, refrain. Although practice shows that there are exceptions to the rules. Interestingly, a romance is usually performed solo, less often a duet, and almost never a chorus.
A special distinguishing feature of this genre is its semantic load. His lines always carry a certain story that is close to both the author and his listeners. This may be an autobiographical story about an unfortunate love story, or the author’s thoughts on a particular life theme. Romance is not an exclusively melancholic genre. There are many examples of satirical and hilarious poetic narratives set to music.
A bit about Russian romance
After a while, with the advent of musical instruments in the homes of wealthy people, the romance also leaked into Russian culture. Perhaps this was inspired by the spirit of romanticism that permeated the entire beginning of the nineteenth century. He was very pleased by the demanding audience, and he was instantly picked up by such composers as Varlamov (“At the Dawn You Don't Wake Her”), Gurilev (“The Bell Sounds Monotonously”), Alyabyev (“Nightingale”). Some of them considered it necessary to introduce the spirit of freedom and cheerfulness into the Russian romance and at the same time allowed the performer to demonstrate their vocal abilities. The accompaniment here is just the background, but organically linked to the poetic basis.
Sadly, in the Soviet era, its cultural development stopped, since severe censorship believed that the ideology propagated in romances adversely affects the working Soviet man. Ancient romances were not welcomed, their theme was considered "decadent". The trend was patriotic, folk and humorous songs with a simple melody.
Nevertheless, romances in some of their forms, for example, “urban,” continued to exist, transmitted by word of mouth by ordinary people. Thanks to them, over time, the long-awaited revival of this genre occurred, which took place approximately in the seventies.
Russian composer Mikhail Ivanovich Glinka
An invaluable contribution to the history of Russian romance was made by Mikhail Ivanovich Glinka. As you know, he wrote more than eighty works in different directions. Glinka’s romances are unique masterpieces, the creation of which is possible only for such talented and gifted personalities as Mikhail Ivanovich. His favorite romances were based on poems by Alexander Sergeyevich Pushkin. He always appreciated good poetry and realized that a true romance could not exist without it.
The most significant work is the opera Ruslan and Lyudmila, based on the eponymous poem by Pushkin, which did not receive universal recognition, but revealed the full potential of the composer. And Glinka’s well-known romances to the verses of the great Russian poet - “I remember a wonderful moment”, “I am here, Inesilla”, “Greetings Cup”, “For health, Mary”.
Today, there are millions of fans of the world famous genre. Thanks to the love and support of the public, he does not stand still, but develops and moves forward every day. Of course, no matter how much time has passed, the romance will remain one of the leading and most important areas of chamber music.
An increasing number of people find in it, something close to themselves, some kind of outlet in their feelings and problems. It is comforting to know that the romance did not recede into the background with time, it remains the favorite vocal genre.