Famous Russian composers list. Always be in the mood

06.04.2019

Every person should know their history, as well as the people who made it. For example, in this article we invite the reader to remember famous Russian composers who are respected and loved not only in our country, but also abroad.

People who have made an unprecedented contribution to Russian and world classical music

In the old days, classical music was very popular. They knew the leading composers very well by sight and even knew how to distinguish the works of one great classic from another. Now times, morals and tastes have changed significantly. And now we more often listen to monotonous melodies or rhythmic recitatives, most of which are forgotten the next day. However, several years ago scientists proved the fact that classics have a beneficial effect on the human body. There is even a confirmed hypothesis that children who listen to classical music from childhood are much ahead of their peers in development. That is why it is necessary to get used to elegant and exciting melodies with early years.

But if in childhood such a hobby seemed unfashionable to a child or he simply did not think about changing his taste, the situation can be corrected at any time. And the best place to start is to get acquainted with Russian composers, famous and beloved. Such as:

Mikhail Glinka (1804-1857).
Alexander Dargomyzhsky (1813-1869).
Alexander Borodin (1833-1887).
Modest Mussorgsky (1839-1881).
Pyotr Tchaikovsky (1840-1893).
Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov (1844-1908).
Sergei Rachmaninov (1872-1915).
Aram Khachaturian (1903-1978).
Dmitry Shostakovich (1906-1975).

The stories of their lives are complex, and the fates of many are quite tragic. You can talk about these people endlessly, but we will try to mention only the most important facts biographies to give the reader an idea of what the great Russian composers were like.

Mikhail Glinka

Mikhail Ivanovich Glinka was born on May 20, 1804. His family was large and wealthy, living on the territory of the Smolensk province ever since the Polish nobleman who started the family chose Russia as his country. The parents of the future composers were each other's second cousins. Perhaps that is why the grandmother took upon herself the upbringing of the baby. This continued until her death. The young talent’s passion for music arose at the age of ten. Soon he was sent to study in St. Petersburg. There he met Pushkin, Griboyedov, Zhukovsky, Odoevsky and others famous personalities those times. And I realized that I wanted to make music my destiny.

After this, Mikhail Glinka wrote his first romances, but was not completely satisfied with the results. His own music seemed domestic to him; he sought to expand its boundaries. And then, working on himself, Mikhail Ivanovich Glinka went to Italy, and then to Germany. There he met people like Donizetti and Bellini, as a result of which he completely changed the style of his music.

Upon his arrival in Russia, the composer again presented his operas to the country. But some of them were heavily criticized, and Glinka decided to leave the country. And he returned many years later, becoming a singing teacher and actively influencing the formation of classical music.

Mikhail Ivanovich died on February 15, 1857 in Berlin. His ashes were brought to St. Petersburg, where the composer rests to this day.

Alexander Dargomyzhsky

This musical figure, unrecognized during his lifetime and almost forgotten now, was born on February 2, 1813 in the Tula province. Alexander Sergeevich Dargomyzhsky’s passion for music arose at the age of seven. And it was then that he mastered the art of playing the piano to perfection. And at the age of ten he already wrote his first plays and romances. Then the future composer entered the service, and after he met Mikhail Glinka he significantly improved his skills.

Alexander Sergeevich read notes like a book, and tried to make his works so that the music did not overshadow the voices of the performers. At a certain period of his life, he gave singing lessons to non-professional singers completely free of charge, and after that he became one of the consultants of the Russian musical community. His greatest opera, Rusalka, almost burned down in a fire at the St. Petersburg Opera House. But even now it is performed quite infrequently, so only true connoisseurs of classical music know Alexander Sergeevich Dargomyzhsky. This is very sad, because another unusual opera by the composer, “The Stone Guest,” consists of recitatives that fully correspond to the rhythm of Pushkin’s verse, and not the usual drawn-out arias.

This is what sets the composer apart from others. He did not succumb to the influence of Italy and France, did not pander to the tastes of the public, and was not afraid to try something new. He went his own way, based on his own taste. And inextricably linked sound and word.

Alexander Borodin

Alexander Porfirievich was born on November 12, 1933 as a result of an extramarital affair between a Georgian prince and the daughter of a military man. The age difference between the parents was just over forty years. That is why the newborn was registered with the valet's last name. But the mother still paid great attention to her baby and selected the best teachers and tutors for him.

From an early age, the future composer was attracted to music. And after some time he wrote his first plays, the publication of which was taken care of by his mother. It was then that the country learned about a young talent - a sixteen-year-old composer. By the way, Alexander Porfiryevich was also attracted to the young (at that time) chemistry. He carried out various experiments in his own room with special interest, which sometimes drove his mother into indescribable horror. And then Borodin entered the Medical-Surgical Academy. At one time, he met Mendeleev, who believed that Alexander should forget about music. However, the future famous Russian composer did not abandon his second hobby, but brought it to such a level that Borodin’s work was recognized not only in the country, but also abroad.

Alexander Porfiryevich died unexpectedly. After the rhythmic dance, his heart could not stand it and stopped forever. This happened on February 27, 1887.

Modest Mussorgsky

The next greatest composer was born on the territory of the Pskov province on March 9, 1839. All that is known about his early years is that until the age of ten he was educated at home and mastered the piano. Then he went to St. Petersburg, where he became interested in church music and tried his hand at composing. Soon his works began to be performed in St. Petersburg and Moscow.

Russian composer Modest Petrovich Mussorgsky is a true genius, innovator, third most performed in the whole world. His work is familiar to many, especially the music from the opera “Boris Godunov”. However, he was a deeply lonely man, so at a certain moment he plunged into apathy and became addicted to the bottle. As a result, Modest Petrovich began to experience delirium tremens. The first serious attack was stopped, but the composer could not be cured of his illness. And March 16, 1881 greatest genius passed away.

Pyotr Tchaikovsky

Perhaps the work of this composer is the most recognizable, not only among adults, but also among children. After all, who doesn’t know the famous “Dance of the Little Swans”? And it was Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky who wrote it.

The future genius was born in April 1840 in the city of Votkins (Udmurtia) and by the age of five he was excellent at reading notes and playing the piano. In his youth he began to visit opera house St. Petersburg, where I was especially impressed by the works of Glinka and Mozart. Being an employee of the Department of Justice, he gave up everything for the sake of “the pipe,” as his relatives said. But the contribution that Pyotr Ilyich made to Russian and world classical music is so great that it completely justifies the decision of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky.

The great genius died suddenly on March 25, 1893. According to the official version, the cause was cholera. But there is also a hypothesis that he was poisoned. Moreover, many believe that the composer did this on his own, deciding to commit suicide. However, this is not known for certain, so the public prefers to stick to the first option.

Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov

The most popular Russian composer, who could write music without an instrument, was born on March 18, 1844 in Tikhvin (near St. Petersburg). The child began to study music very early, but it did not attract him much. Nikolai Andreevich was attracted by the sea, so at the age of twelve he entered the Naval Cadet Corps to study, but did not give up studying music. A little later, he meets such great people as Modest Petrovich Mussorgsky and Alexander Porfirievich Borodin on his life’s path. Then he sails on a ship and serves in the navy, continuing to compose music and drawing inspiration from the nature of the Russian lands, Russian fairy tales, epics, songs and sayings. And then he became a teacher at the conservatory in St. Petersburg, which now bears his name.

However, despite his merits, Nikolai Andreevich is very critical of himself, highlighting only two of his operas - “The Tsar’s Bride” and “The Snow Maiden”.

The great Russian composer Nikolai Andreevich Rimsky-Korsakov died on June 8, 1908 due to an exacerbation of heart disease.

Sergei Rachmaninov

The great musical figure was born in the Novgorod province on March 20, 1873. He was interested in music almost from infancy, at the age of five he was already playing the piano, and at nine he entered the conservatory. At thirteen he met Tchaikovsky, who became the mentor of the young Rachmaninoff. The young genius writes his works, which are a huge success. But one work is still assessed negatively by Rimsky-Korsakov. This becomes the reason for the protracted depression of Sergei Vasilyevich Rachmaninov, as a result of which he did not write works for three years. Soon after the start October Revolution the composer leaves his homeland, going on a tour of European cities.

The last years of the Russian genius’s life pass in America. On March 28, 1943, Sergei Vasilyevich Rachmaninov dies, living at that time in the city of Beverly Hills.

Aram Khachaturyan

A musical genius from a simple Armenian family was born on May 24, 1903. In his early years, Aram Ilyich’s future is determined by his father, who sees the boy as a biologist. But everything changes when in 1921 the future composer goes to study in the capital and lives with his brother - famous director. He introduces him to creative world. This turns the consciousness of Aram Ilyich Khachaturian upside down. He enters the Gnessin Technical School, and then gives up biology for the sake of music. The composer writes many works, which are received with great delight by domestic and foreign audiences.

The last years of the life of the Russian genius are very difficult. He is fighting a difficult battle with cancer. He undergoes many operations, but the sudden death of his wife greatly weakens him. And on May 1, 1978, Aram Ilyich Khachaturian dies.

Dmitry Shostakovich

The last great Russian composer about whom we would like to tell the reader was born in St. Petersburg on September 25, 1906 in musical family. Therefore, it is not surprising that the fate of Dmitry Dmitrievich was to some extent predetermined. He wrote his first creation at the age of nine, and at thirteen he entered the conservatory.

It will not be an exaggeration that Dmitry Dmitrievich Shostakovich lived by music. Constantly improving his skills, he was able to envelop the listener with sounds and feelings. In addition, he was an improviser and came up with musical masterpieces literally on the go.

Died musical genius due to a tumor that doctors could not diagnose for a very long time. And when they finally succeeded, it was too late. On August 9, 1975, Dmitry Dmitrievich Shostakovich passed away.

Famous works of mentioned composers

We mentioned earlier that classical music has beneficial influence on the human body, improving brain activity, increasing sensitivity to science, calming and giving a feeling of peace. That is why below we will present to the reader the best and most popular musical works Russian composers whom we described above.

Let's start in order:

Mikhail Glinka - “Pathetique Trio”, “Waltz-Fantasia”, operas “Ivan Susanin”, “Ruslan and Lyudmila”, “Kamarinskaya”.
Alexander Dargomyzhsky - operas “Esmeralda”, “The Triumph of Bacchus”, “Rusalka”, “The Stone Guest”.
Alexander Borodin - operas “Heroes”, “Mlada”, libretto “Prince Igor”.
Modest Mussorgsky - operas “Marriage”, “Boris Godunov”, “Khovanshchina”, “Sorochinskaya Fair”.
Pyotr Tchaikovsky, Russian composer, whose most famous works everyone knows: “Slavic March”, “ Swan Lake", "Eugene Onegin", "Sleeping Beauty", " Queen of Spades", "The Nutcracker".
Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov - operas “The Golden Cockerel”, “The Tale of Tsar Saltan”, “The Snow Maiden”, “Scheherazade”, “Sadko”, “ The Tsar's Bride", "Mozart and Salieri".
Sergei Rachmaninov - “Aleko”, “ Stingy Knight", "Francesca da Rimini".
Aram Khachaturian - ballets “Happiness”, “Gayane”, “Spartacus”.
Dmitri Shostakovich - “The Nose”, “The Great Lightning”, “Lady Macbeth” Mtsensk district", "Katerina Izmailova", "Players", "Moscow, Cheryomushki".

Here are the famous Russian composers you should pay attention to special attention every citizen.

World classical music is unthinkable without the works of Russian composers. Russia, a great country with talented people and its cultural heritage, has always been among the leading locomotives of world progress and art, including music. The Russian school of composition, the continuation of whose traditions were the Soviet and today's Russian schools, began in the 19th century with composers who combined European musical art with Russian folk melodies, linking together the European form and the Russian spirit.

About each of these famous people we can tell a lot, everyone has difficult and sometimes tragic fates, but in this review we tried to give only brief description life and work of composers.

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, perhaps the greatest Russian composer of the 19th century, raised Russian musical art to unprecedented heights. He is one of the most important composers of world classical music.
A native of the Vyatka province, although his paternal roots are in Ukraine, Tchaikovsky showed from childhood musical abilities, however, my first education and work was in the field of jurisprudence. Tchaikovsky was one of the first Russian “professional” composers; he studied music theory and composition at the new St. Petersburg Conservatory. Tchaikovsky was considered a "Western" composer, as opposed to folk figures" Mighty bunch", with whom he had good creative and friendly relations, but his work is no less permeated with the Russian spirit, he managed to uniquely combine the Western symphonic heritage of Mozart, Beethoven and Schumann with Russian traditions inherited from Mikhail Glinka.
The composer led active life- was a teacher, conductor, critic, public figure, worked in two capitals, toured Europe and America. Tchaikovsky was a rather emotionally unstable person; enthusiasm, despondency, apathy, hot temper, violent anger - all these moods changed in him quite often; being a very sociable person, he always strived for loneliness.
To highlight something best from Tchaikovsky's work - difficult task, he has several works of equal size in almost all musical genres- opera, ballet, symphony, chamber music. The content of Tchaikovsky's music is universal: with inimitable melodicism it embraces images of life and death, love, nature, childhood, it reveals works of Russian and world literature in a new way, and reflects the deep processes of spiritual life.

Composer quote:
"I am an artist who can and should bring honor to my Motherland. I feel great in myself artistic power, I haven't done even a tenth of what I can do yet. And I want to do this with all the strength of my soul."
“Life has beauty only when it consists of alternation of joys and sorrows, of the struggle between good and evil, of light and shadow, in a word - of diversity in unity.”
"Great talent requires great hard work."

Quote about the composer: “I am ready to stand as a guard of honor day and night at the porch of the house where Pyotr Ilyich lives - that is how much I respect him.” A.P.Chekhov

Interesting fact: Cambridge University awarded Tchaikovsky the title of Doctor of Music in absentia and without defending a dissertation, as did the Paris Academy Fine Arts elected him a corresponding member.

P.I. Tchaikovsky. "Slavic March"

Listen to something from the classics - what could be better?! Especially on weekends, when you want to relax, forget about the worries of the day, the worries of the work week, dream about beautiful things, and just lift your spirits. Just think classical works were created by brilliant authors so long ago that it’s hard to believe that something can survive so many years. And these works are still loved and listened to, arrangements and modern interpretations are created. Even in modern processing, works brilliant composers remain classical music. As he admits, classical works are ingenious, and everything ingenious cannot be boring.

Probably all great composers have a special ear, a special sensitivity to tone and melody, which allowed them to create music that is enjoyed by dozens of generations not only of their compatriots, but also of classical music fans around the world. If you still doubt whether you love classical music, then you need to meet with, and you will see that in fact, you are already a long-time fan of beautiful music.

And today we will talk about the 10 most famous composers in the world.

Johann Sebastian Bach

The first place deservedly belongs. A genius was born in Germany. The most talented composer wrote music for harpsichord and organ. The composer did not create a new style in music. But he was able to create perfection in all the styles of his time. He is the author of more than 1000 essays. In his works Bach connected different musical styles, with whom he became acquainted throughout his life. Often musical romanticism combined with the Baroque style. During life Johann Bach As a composer he did not receive the recognition he deserved, interest in his music arose almost 100 years after his death. Today he is called one of the greatest composers who ever lived on earth. His uniqueness as a person, teacher and musician was reflected in his music. Bach laid the foundations of the music of New and Contemporary times, dividing the history of music into pre-Bach and post-Bach. There is an opinion that music Bach gloomy and gloomy. His music is rather fundamental and thorough, restrained and focused. Like the reflections of a mature, world-wise person. Creation Bach influenced many composers. Some of them took cues from his works or used themes from them. And musicians all over the world play music Bach, admiring her beauty and perfection. One of the most sensational works - "Brandenburg Concerts"- excellent proof that music Bach can't be considered too gloomy:

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

He is rightfully considered a genius. At the age of 4 he was already fluent in playing the violin and harpsichord, at the age of 6 he began composing music, and at 7 he was already skillfully improvising on the harpsichord, violin and organ, competing with famous musicians. Already at 14 years old Mozart- a recognized composer, and at the age of 15 - a member of the music academies of Bologna and Verona. By nature he had a phenomenal musical ear, memory and ability to improvise. He created an astonishing number of works - 23 operas, 18 sonatas, 23 piano concertos, 41 symphonies and much more. The composer did not want to imitate, he tried to create a new model that reflected the new individuality of the music. It is no coincidence that in Germany music Mozart called “music of the soul”, in his works the composer showed traits of his sincere, loving nature. The Greatest Melodist special meaning gave to the opera. Operas Mozart- era in the development of this species musical art. Mozart widely recognized as one of greatest composers: his uniqueness lies in the fact that he worked in all musical forms of his time and achieved the highest success in all. One of the most recognizable works - "Turkish March":

Ludwig van Beethoven

Another great German was an important figure of the Romantic-Classical period. Even those who know nothing about it know about it classical music. Beethoven is one of the most performed and respected composers in the world. The great composer witnessed the tremendous upheavals that occurred in Europe and redrew its map. These great upheavals, revolutions and military confrontations are reflected in the composer’s work, especially symphonic works. He embodied pictures of heroic struggle in music. IN immortal works Beethoven you will hear the struggle for freedom and brotherhood of people, the unshakable faith in the victory of light over darkness, as well as dreams of freedom and happiness for mankind. One of the most famous and amazing facts his life - the ear disease developed into complete deafness, but despite this, the composer continued to write music. He was also considered one of the the best pianists. Music Beethoven Surprisingly simple and understandable to the widest circles of listeners. Generations and even eras change, and music Beethoven still excites and delights the hearts of people. One of his best works – "Moonlight Sonata":

Richard Wagner

With the name of the great Richard Wagner most often associated with his masterpieces "Wedding Choir" or "Ride of the Valkyries". But he is known not only as a composer, but also as a philosopher. Wagner considered his musical works as a way of expressing a certain philosophical concept. WITH Wagner a new one has begun musical era oper. The composer tried to bring opera closer to life; music for him is only a means. Richard Wagner– creator of musical drama, reformer of operas and the art of conducting, innovator of the harmonic and melodic language of music, creator of new forms musical expressiveness. Wagner- author of the world's longest solo aria (14 minutes 46 seconds) and the world's longest classical opera (5 hours and 15 minutes). During life Richard Wagner was considered a controversial person, who was either adored or hated. And often both together. Mystical symbolism and anti-Semitism made him Hitler's favorite composer, but closed the way for his music to Israel. However, neither supporters nor opponents of the composer deny his greatness as a composer. Wonderful music from the very first notes Richard Wagner absorbs you completely, leaving no room for disputes and disagreements:

Franz Schubert

The Austrian composer is a musical genius, one of the best song composers. He was only 17 when he wrote his first song. In one day he could write 8 songs. For my creative life he created more than 600 compositions, based on poems by more than 100 great poets, including Goethe, Schiller and Shakespeare. That's why Franz Schubert in the top 10. Although creativity Schubert very diverse in the use of genres, ideas and reincarnations, the predominant and defining thing in his music is vocal and song lyrics. To Schubert the song was considered an insignificant genre, and it was he who elevated it to the level of artistic perfection. Moreover, he combined the seemingly incompatible song and chamber symphonic music, which gave rise to a new direction of lyrical-romantic symphony. Vocal and song lyrics are a world of simple and deep, subtle and even intimate human experiences, expressed not in words, but in sound. Franz Schubert lived very short life, only 31 years old. The fate of the composer's works is no less tragic than his life. After death Schubert many unpublished manuscripts remained, stored in bookcases and drawers of relatives and friends. Even those closest to him did not know everything he wrote, and throughout many years he was recognized mainly only as the king of song. Some of the composer's works were published only half a century after his death. One of the most beloved and famous works Franz Schubert – "Evening Serenade":

Robert Schumann

With an equally tragic fate German composer– one of best composers romantic era. He created music of amazing beauty. To get an idea about German romanticism XIX century, just listen "Carnival" Robert Schumann. He was able to break free from the musical traditions of the classical era, creating his own interpretation of the romantic style. Robert Schumann was gifted with many talents, and even for a long time he could not decide between music, poetry, journalism and philology (he was a polyglot and translated fluently from English, French and Italian). He was also an amazing pianist. And yet the main calling and passion Schumann there was music. His poetic and deeply psychological music largely reflects the duality of the composer’s nature, a rush of passion and escape into the world of dreams, awareness of vulgar reality and the desire for the ideal. One of the masterpieces Robert Schumann, which everyone simply must hear:

Frederic Chopin

Perhaps the most famous Pole in the world of music. Neither before nor after the composer was a musical genius of this level born in Poland. The Poles are incredibly proud of their great compatriot, and in his work the composer more than once glorifies his homeland, admires the beauty of the landscapes, laments the tragic past, and dreams of a great future. Frederic Chopin- one of the few composers who wrote music exclusively for piano. His creative heritage includes neither operas nor symphonies, but piano pieces are presented in all their diversity. His works form the basis of the repertoire of many famous pianists. Frederic Chopin is a Polish composer who is also known as a talented pianist. He lived only 39 years, but managed to create many masterpieces: ballads, preludes, waltzes, mazurkas, nocturnes, polonaises, etudes, sonatas and much, much more. One of them is "Ballad No. 1, G minor".

Franz Liszt

He is one of the world's greatest composers. He lived a relatively long and surprisingly rich life, experienced poverty and wealth, met love and faced contempt. In addition to his natural talent, he had a fantastic ability to work. Franz Liszt earned not only the admiration of music connoisseurs and fans. Both as a composer and as a pianist he received universal praise from European critics XIX century. He created more than 1300 works and similar Frederic Chopin gave preference to works for piano. Brilliant pianist Franz Liszt he knew how to reproduce the sound of an entire orchestra on the piano, he improvised masterfully, he had a fantastic memory of musical compositions, and he had no equal in reading notes from sight. He had a pathetic style of performance, which was also reflected in his music, emotionally passionate and heroically upbeat, creating colorful musical paintings and making a lasting impression on the listeners. Business card The composer's concertos are for piano. One of these works. And one of the most famous works Liszt – "Dreams of Love":

Johannes Brahms

A significant figure of the romantic period in music is Johannes Brahms . Listen and love music Brahms considered good taste and a characteristic sign of a romantic nature. Brahms did not write a single opera, but he created works in all other genres. Special glory Brahms brought his symphonies. Already in the first works the composer’s originality is manifested, which over time transformed into own style. If we consider all the works Brahms, it cannot be said that the composer was greatly influenced by the work of his predecessors or contemporaries. And in terms of the scale of creativity Brahms often compared to Bach And Beethoven. Perhaps this comparison is justified in the sense that the work of the three great Germans represents the culmination of an entire era in the history of music. Unlike Franz Liszt life Johannes Brahms was devoid of turbulent events. He preferred quiet creativity, during his lifetime he earned recognition of his talent and universal respect, and was also awarded considerable honors. The most outstanding music in which the creative force Brahms had a particularly bright and original effect, is his "German Requiem", a work that the author created for 10 years and dedicated to his mother. In your music Brahms sings praises eternal values human life which lie in the beauty of nature, the art of great talents of the past, and the culture of their homeland.

Giuseppe Verdi

What are the top ten composers without?! Italian composer best known for his operas. He became the national glory of Italy, his work is the culmination of the development of Italian opera. His achievements and merits as a composer cannot be overestimated. His works still, a century after the death of the author, remain the most popular, widely performed, known to both connoisseurs and lovers of classical music.

For Verdi The most important thing in opera was drama. The musical images of Rigoletto, Aida, Violetta, and Desdemona created by the composer organically combine bright melody and depth of characters, democracy and sophistication musical characteristics, violent passions and bright dreams. Verdi was a real psychologist in understanding human passions. His music is nobility and power, amazing beauty and harmony, inexpressibly beautiful melodies, beautiful arias and duets. Passions run high, comedy and tragedy intertwine and merge together. The plots of operas, by his own admission Verdi, must be “original, interesting and... passionate, with passion above all else.” And most of his works are serious and tragic, demonstrating emotional dramatic situations, and the music of the great Verdi gives expressiveness to what is happening and emphasizes the accents of the situation. Having absorbed all the best that had been achieved by the Italian opera school, he did not deny operatic traditions, but reformed Italian opera, filled it with realism, gave it the unity of the whole. At the same time, he did not announce his reform, did not write articles about it, but simply wrote operas in a new way. Triumphant procession of one of the masterpieces Verdi- operas - swept across Italian stages and continued in Europe, as well as in Russia and America, forcing even skeptics to recognize the talent of the great composer.

10 most famous composers in the world updated: November 25, 2017 by: Elena

The melodious singing of birds, the quiet whisper of trees and the roar of mountain streams have accompanied the human race since the beginning of time. People grew up in the harmony of natural music and over time began to play music, imitating nature. The baton of creating musical works in the 18th century was taken over and achieved unprecedented heights in creating musical masterpieces.

The first began to appear with the development of the Russian school of composition at the beginning of the 18th century. When describing this period, there is no need to talk about one’s own composer’s achievements, since for the most part Russian composers imitated and copied the achievements of Western culture. Thus began the first stage in the formation of a national composer tradition. A representative of this period was Bortnyansky, who copied the work of Vivaldi in his works.

In the first half of the 19th century, Glinka made an invaluable contribution to the development of the Russian school of composition, for which he is considered the first great Russian composer who managed to introduce Russian music into musical works. national tradition. Russian melodies and intonations are skillfully combined in his brilliant works with modern compositional trends in Europe at that time. The biography of the Russian composer deserves to be immortalized for centuries and studied by all generations of the Russian people.

At the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, traditional Russian composer school were represented by Rachmaninov, Stravinsky and many others. They picked up the Russian tradition and, as befits a new generation, made their own amendments to the art of music. Now Russian melodies were no longer expressed so clearly in the works, but their spirit was still clearly visible in the compositions.

During times symphonic music was influenced by many objective factors. There was a tendency to complicate musical compositions with the simultaneous absorption cultural traditions other nationalities. Well-known representatives of this era are Shchedrin, Denisov and Gavrilin.

Russian composers have enriched the country's cultural treasury, giving us many brilliant musical works. The whole world listens in fascination to the compositions of our compatriots to this day. These works and those who wrote such masterpieces are destined eternal life in the hearts of people.

Alexander Varlamov is a famous composer who created about 200 works during his 47 years of life.

He directed all his creative energies to writing romances and songs that fully reflected the soul of the Russian people.

In his works, based on the poems of Russian classics, he expresses the rebellious spirit, which is placed in the lines of poetic poems.

Childhood

Alexander Egorovich was born in Moscow in November 15 (27), 1801. His father was a minor official, and his origins went back to the Moldavian nobles. Already in early years he showed interest in musical art. He could play the violin and guitar by ear, without knowing notation.

Gurilev Alexander is a great Russian musician, whose lyrical romances have endured two centuries.

The music that flowed in his veins and was reflected on paper still amazes with its sincerity and sensuality. Vocal works written on the basis of poems by great Russian poets express the national spirit and rich soul of the composer.

Childhood

The boy was born in Moscow into the family of a serf musician in 1803 on August 22 (September 3). Therefore, his childhood and adolescence passed in difficult conditions hard life. Alexander's father served as head of the orchestra of Count V. Orlov. So the love for music arose in the soul of a small child.

When he was seventh year old, his father became fully involved in his son’s musical education.

Cesar Cui is a gifted composer who created his first piece of music as a teenager.

Besides the fact that he shone in cultural sphere, he made a significant contribution to military affairs. He left his mark in both areas.

Childhood

The child was born in 1835 on January 6 in the territory of modern Vilnius. His father was French, he remained in Russia after in 1812 the remnants of Napoleonic troops, in which he was listed, did not return to their homeland.

Alexander Borodin is a talented person. He is definitely talented in everything, he left a deep mark on Russian XIX culture century.

Its prints can be found in completely different areas. Alexander participated in scientific, political, pedagogical and cultural activities countries. However, the whole world knows this man as a great composer.

Early years

Alexander was born on November 12, 1833. His father was Prince Gedianov. The boy was an illegitimate child. Therefore, he was recorded under the name of the serf serving in their house - Borodin.

When the child was 8 years old, his father died, having previously given him his freedom. Alexander grew up in luxury house, donated by Gedianov.

Anton Grigorievich Rubinstein is a personality of global scale. Composer, conductor, teacher, pianist, public figure.

His amazing energy forced him to create, do charity work, and devote himself to musical and educational work.

Childhood

On November 16 (28), 1829, a baby who was named Anton saw the world. The event took place in a wealthy Jewish family in the village of Vykhvatinets, Podolsk province (now the Dnieper Moldavian Republic). When the child was three years old, the Rubinsteins came to Moscow.

The boy began to show interest in music early. He listened carefully when his mother played music and hummed the tunes he liked.

Alexander Dargomyzhsky had a huge influence on the development of Russian musical art. Sitting down at the piano, this man was completely transformed. He delighted everyone with his passion for music and easy playing, although in everyday life he did not produce vivid impression on people.

Music is precisely the area where he revealed his talent and then gave the world great works.

Childhood

Alexander was born in the village of Troitskaya in 1813 on 2/14.02. His family was large, besides him there were five more children. Little Sasha did not speak until he was five years old. His voice was late formed. Throughout his life, he remained tall with a slight hoarseness, which was not considered a disadvantage, but helped him touch the hearts of listeners while singing.

Sergei Taneyev is a little-known classic of Russian music. Once upon a time his name was well known among the educated public in all parts of the vast Russian Empire. Today only music historians and students of a few music schools and schools named in his honor.

The early years of Sergei Taneyev

Sergei Ivanovich Taneyev was born in provincial town November 13, 1856. His father Ivan Ilyich belonged to the ancient noble family, which traced its history back to the time of Ivan the Great. Since childhood, Sergei’s parents taught him to play the piano, as was the custom in many noble families. When the boy was ten years old, his parents moved to Moscow and sent their son to a newly opened educational institution- conservatory.

Childhood and youth

The future composer was born in the small town of Yelets (now Lipetsk region) on May 28, 1913 in merchant family. Tikhon was the youngest of ten children. Very early, the boy showed a talent for music. At the age of nine he began playing the piano. When Tikhon was eleven, he had a new teacher - the capital's pianist Vladimir Agarkov.

After Agarkov left Yelets, Anna Vargunina began training the young talent. At this time, Khrennikov began writing music. At the age of fourteen he went to Moscow to show his first works to Agarkov. The teacher praised the gifted young man, but advised him to graduate from the nine-year school hometown and only after that think about a career in music.

A.P. Borodin knows how outstanding composer, author of the opera “Prince Igor”, the symphony “Bogatyrskaya” and other musical works.

He is much less known as a scientist who made an invaluable contribution to science in the field of organic chemistry.

Origin. Early years

A.P. Borodin was illegitimate son 62-year-old Georgian prince L.S. Genevanishvili and A.K. Antonova. He was born on October 31 (11/12), 1833.

He was recorded as the son of the prince's serf servants - the spouses Porfiry Ionovich and Tatyana Grigorievna Borodin. Thus, for eight years the boy was listed in his father’s house as a serf. But before his death (1840), the prince gave his son his freedom, bought him and his mother Avdotya Konstantinovna Antonova a four-story house, having previously married her to the military doctor Kleineke.

The boy, in order to avoid unnecessary rumors, was presented as Avdotya Konstantinovna’s nephew. Since Alexander’s background did not allow him to study at the gymnasium, he studied at home all the subjects of the gymnasium course, in addition to German and French, receiving an excellent education at home.

The 19th and 20th centuries gave the world many great Russian composers who combined the grace of European musical art with magic and originality folk melodies. In this article we will talk about the best music authors. Do you know which great Russian composers glorified their homeland? We will talk about their difficult, and sometimes tragic destinies, dedication to what you love.

Top 10 great Russian composers

Who was awarded the title of the most famous musical authors? The list of 10 great Russian composers of the 19th and 20th centuries includes:

Glinka Mikhail Ivanovich;
Nikolai Andreevich Rimsky-Korsakov;
Tchaikovsky Pyotr Ilyich;
Alexander Nikolaevich Scriabin;
Borodin Alexander Porfirievich;
Vertinsky Alexander;
Sergei Vasilievich Rachmaninov;
Dmitry Dmitrievich Shostakovich.

The 19th century is a period of growth in musical life society. Ballet and opera are developing by leaps and bounds. Instrumental plays and romances are in fashion. Many people show interest in folklore. Next we will talk about which great Russian composers made the greatest contribution to the development of musical culture of the 19th century. Let's talk about the most outstanding ones in more detail.

Our list of great Russian composers is headed by Glinka. Mikhail grew up during the period Patriotic War and from a young age I was imbued with folk-heroic themes in music.

Glinka Mikhail Ivanovich

Mikhail Ivanovich Glinka was born in 1804 in the Smolensk province in the family of a retired captain. The mother of the future composer was almost not involved in raising her son, since this role was completely taken over by the imperious mother-in-law Fekla Alexandrovna. She takes the baby to her place. Her guardianship turns the boy into a sissy, a very sick and vulnerable child. In 1810, Fekla Alexandrovna passed away, Mikhail returned to his parents’ family.

The composer's musical childhood

Little Misha realized his calling early. He was in love with music from the cradle. And this is not surprising. The house where he grew up was constantly filled with it, like fresh air. Guests constantly came to the family and played music. Misha often listened to the serf orchestra.

Later he began to learn to play the violin and piano, but most of all he loved just listening to music. He closed his eyes, she carried him far beyond the horizons. Little Mikhail called her his soul. Teachers often reproached Glinka for being absent-minded, especially often after musical evenings which took place in his father's house.

Strict governess

Mikhail and his sister had a governess, Varvara Fedorovna Klammer. A tall young girl of 20 years old. She was brought up in the Smolny Monastery. She was very strict and conscientious. A young teacher taught Glinka spelling, German, French languages, geography. She taught me to play the piano and violin.

The child received excellent training and at the age of 13 he was accepted into the St. Petersburg Noble Boarding School at the Pedagogical Institute without any problems. Mikhail continued to be lucky with his teachers. His tutor and mentor was Pushkin’s lyceum friend, Wilhelm Karlovich Kuchelbecker.

Having graduated from the boarding house, Glinka only became stronger in the opinion that music was his calling. He begins performing in salons. Does not stop self-education. Studies the history of Western European musical art.

string septet;
rondo for orchestra;
works for harp and piano;
orchestral overtures.

Glinka was lucky with her social circle. It included:

Pushkin;
Zhukovsky;
Griboyedov;
Odoevsky;
Mickiewicz;
Delvig.

Personal life

In matters of the heart, the great Russian composer Glinka was not very happy. In 1833 he marries Maria Ivanova. In 1838 he meets and falls in love with Catherine Kern. She remains his muse until the end of his life.

Nikolai Andreevich Rimsky-Korsakov

Years of life: from 1844 to 1908. Life path started in the city of Tikhvin, Novgorod province. His family belonged to the noble class. The Rimsky-Korsakov family raised two sons with a very large age difference. Nikolai's older brother - Voin Andreevich - was 22 years older! Naturally, the first-born of the Rimsky-Korsakovs had a huge influence on his brother.

Love for music

The child's fate was predetermined from an early age - he was to become a military man. But the father was also involved in the boy’s musical education. At the age of 6, Nikolai already played the piano beautifully, and at the age of 9 he became interested in composition and composed his first piece.

Nikolay's Love

In his personal life he was happy. Married once and lived in happy marriage with my wife for the rest of my life. The couple met in Dargomyzhsky’s house, where the entire musical elite gathered. Rimsky-Korsakov's future wife, Nadezhda Nikolaevna Purgold, was a talented pianist.

Three children were born into the family of musicians. The eldest son is Mikhail. He grew up to become a zoologist and forest scientist. Middle - Sofia, she became opera singer. The younger one, Andrey, is a musicologist and Doctor of Philosophy.

Works of the great Russian composer:

"First Symphony";
"Snow Maiden";
"Sadko"
"Spanish Capriccio";
"The Tale of Tsar Saltan";
"Mozart and Salieri";
Suite "Scheherazade".

Tchaikovsky Pyotr Ilyich

The future composer already played the piano excellently at the age of five. At the age of seven, the child began to compose poetry.
The parents of the great Russian composer wanted him to be a lawyer. At the age of 19, he entered the service of the Ministry of Justice, but left there. He feels his calling in music and enters the conservatory in St. Petersburg
The great Russian composer Tchaikovsky, while still a teenager, was fond of alcohol and smoking. Bad habits stayed with him for the rest of his life.
Pyotr Ilyich wrote 10 operas, but burned 2.
For only two weeks in his life, Tchaikovsky played the role of husband. At the age of 37, he married student Antonina Milyukova. Soon the couple realized that they had made a mistake and they separated. The circumstances were such that they were never able to officially divorce.

The composer was the son of a French soldier, who, after the defeat of Napoleon's army in 1812, did not return to his homeland in France. Cui followed in his father's footsteps and left as big an imprint in military affairs as in the musical field.

Facts from Cui's life:

Another member of the "Mighty Handful".
He taught the intricacies of military affairs to Nicholas II himself.
Friends called him “the general of music.”
He had 10 orders for achievements in fortification.
He was a famous critic in his time. Didn't like Mozart and Mendelssohn.
Helped complete musical works (operas) by Mussorgsky and Dargomyzhsky.

Works that glorified Caesar:

"The Stone Guest";
"Mateo Falcone";
"Little Red Riding Hood";
"Puss in Boots";
“Ivanushka the Fool.”
"William Ratcliffe."

Alexander Nikolaevich Scriabin

Born January 6, 1872. His family lived in Moscow and belonged to an old noble family. Sashenka's father was a diplomat, and his mother was a talented pianist. Unfortunately, as soon as the child was one year old, she fell ill with tuberculosis and died.

The father was not able to be with his son because he was on a diplomatic mission in Persia. The boy was raised by his father's sister and grandmother.

It was his aunt who instilled in Alexander Scriabin a love of music. At the age of five he played the piano beautifully, and at 8 he began composing his own short works. He also showed poetic talent: he began to write poems and multi-act tragedies.

Alexander was sent to study in the cadet corps. Here he continued his music studies. After military school, he entered the conservatory, and graduated with success in 1892.

After graduating, he begins to tour Europe and gains his first fans. He visits:

Berlin;
Dresden;
Genoa;
Lucerne.

The public treats him favorably. Critics write flattering reviews about the charm of Slavic music.

In 1897 he married pianist Vera Isakova. She was a graduate of the Moscow Conservatory. Unfortunately, after 7 years, their family boat crashes and they get divorced.

Interesting facts from the life of the composer:

He was an opponent of Rachmaninov, although musical literacy they mastered it together.
Alexander loved sunbathing. I tried to work mainly under the gentle rays.
He was very demanding in terms of hygiene, but by a fateful coincidence he died of sepsis. The cause was a common abscess on the lip.
Alexander Nikolaevich invented color music.