Composition in music is a term in musicology that refers to embodied musical works that have been created and completed. Also called "opus."
From Latin this concept is translated as “composition”, “compilation”.
Their completeness differs from musical works of folk art and improvisation, which are characterized by a constant change in the original melody. For example, such genres include oriental, jazz and folk music.
Composition in music is, first of all, the presence of the author who created it - the composer. In addition, the composition is characterized by:
- purposeful creative activity of the author;
- separability of the work from the creator;
- the ability to translate the content in exact accordance with the established objectified sound structure;
- systematic musical theory;
- presentation in a special field of knowledge (composition course).
- the presence of a complex apparatus of technical means.
In addition, in music, musical composition is the use of perfect notation in written fixation. Notation - special graphic symbols that help to record musical compositions in writing.
Origin of the concept
This musical term, together with the status of a composer, firmly took its position back in the Renaissance (Renaissance) era, when the idea of ​​freedom of a person’s personality as a creator and creator developed extremely quickly.
Composition in music is a stable musical and artistic whole. It establishes an unambiguous reproduction of all the main components. In music, the best compositions are based on the following parameters:
- rhythm;
- dynamics (sound volume, character of performance);
- sound pitch;
- pace.
The stability of such a piece of music allows you to reproduce its sound exactly, regardless of how much time has passed since its creation. Nevertheless, the composition always implies compliance with certain conditions of performance.
Other objects of this type of art, such as folk songs, dance compositions in music (dances, round dances) and actions, were aimed at accompanying natural life processes (work, seasonal holidays, childbirth, weddings, funerals, etc.). Composition, unlike such music, does not imply any action, it is a work of art that requires special visual and auditory perception.
The ambiguity of the term
Since ancient times, a single musical composition and idea of ​​it was based on a textual or dance-rhythmic foundation.
As described above, this term is derived from Latin. Previously used the ancient concept of melopeia.
Words formed from the verb componere were also found in literary works of the medieval period, in various treatises starting from the 9th century.
At different times, this word meant:
- Master compilation of the chorale (componenda). Chorales are a polyphonic choral work in the Protestant and Catholic churches or a piece of music in the same form.
- Polyphonic music (musica composita). The term refers to complex music, which includes many components.
- Composer.
- Notated counterpoint (cantus librum cantare, which in translation means "sing over a book"). Counterpoint - the harmonious sound of several different melodies, voices at the same time. By the sixteenth century, knowledge of counterpoint varied to the new term ars componedi.
- Theoretical and practical sections of music (musica theoretica, musica practica).
The science of composition
Starting from the 17th century, knowledge of composition gradually transformed into a whole science. It includes:
- musical form;
- instrumentation (a section of musical theory that tells about the properties of various instruments and ways of arranging music for playing in orchestras, chamber ensembles and choirs);
- polyphony (polyphony);
- harmony.
Over time, music as a form of art moved to artistic autonomy. At the same time, the composition was formed, the idea of ​​it as a form in music. Moreover, it is based on a special musical base:
- key;
- modulation;
- functions
- thematicism;
- motives.
- developmental moves;
- contrast song structures.
Theorists who are engaged in composition, a special place in music is given to the sonata cycle.
The sonata cycle is a form of musical work in which one of the parts is usually stated in a sonata form. Another genre includes a trio, quartet, symphony.
Following these traditions, we can say that composition in music is a science with a set of theoretical knowledge and practical instructions for creating a musical work. The training course that sets out this information can be taken at present in special educational institutions. Only now he is called "composition".
On the basis of the general doctrine of composition, textbooks were compiled.
There is still no single general doctrine of composition, which could generalize all its aspects. The concept touches on many separate areas and techniques, from tonal-thematic letters to compositional methods (completely unconventional interpretations).
New discipline
Such methods by the 21st century led to the emergence of a new subject - the theory of modern composition.
It includes such musical phenomena as:
- sonorica (contains information about tones);
- aleatorics (includes loose audio text);
- serialism (this method is connected with the serial technique of dodecafonia).
Literary compositions
These include:
- “Musical Grammar” by Nikolai Diletsky.
- “A Practical Guide to Composing Music” by I. L. Fuchs.
- “An initial course of practical composition” by M. F. Gnesin.
The best compositions of classical music
If we talk about the composition as a finished piece of music, in Russian music there are many works that remain relevant at any time. These are the best works of P.I. Tchaikovsky, M.I. Glinka, A.P. Borodin, M.P. Musorgsky, S.V. Rachmaninov and other famous Russian composers.
The best works are rightfully considered:
- The Nutcracker ballet (waltz of flowers, Chinese dance, Dragee fairy dance), waltz from the ballet Sleeping Beauty by P. I. Tchaikovsky, as well as his concerts for piano and orchestra.
- Opera “Prince Igor” by A.P. Borodin (aria of Prince Igor, girls chorus “Fly away on the wings of the wind”).
- Overture "Night in Madrid", symphonic fantasy "Kamarinskaya" M. I. Glinka.
- “Concert for piano and orchestra No. 2”, “Italian Polka” by S. V. Rachmaninov.
- The ballets Romeo and Juliet, Cinderella, the opera Love for Three Oranges, the cantata Alexander Nevsky by S. S. Prokofiev.
Of course, only a small part of the works of Russian composers is listed here. There are many other equally famous pieces of music.
Foreign music
The music of other countries is also extremely rich and diverse. The creators of the greatest compositions of foreign music are rightfully considered L.V. Beethoven, I.S. Bach, V.A. Mozart, A. Vivaldi, F. Chopin, F. Schubert, E. Grieg, I. Brahms.