For several centuries, military brass bands have created a special atmosphere at celebrations, ceremonies of national importance and many other events. The music performed by such an orchestra can intoxicate every person with its special ceremonial solemnity.

A military brass band is a regular orchestra of a military unit, a group of performers playing wind and percussion instruments. The orchestra’s repertoire includes, of course, military music, but not only: when performed by such a composition, lyrical waltzes, songs, and even jazz sound great! This orchestra performs not only at parades, ceremonies, military rituals, and during drill training of troops, but also at concerts and generally in the most unexpected situations (for example, in a park).

From the history of the military brass band

The first military brass bands were formed in the medieval era. In Russia, military music occupies a special place. Its rich history dates back to 1547, when, by order of Tsar Ivan the Terrible, the first court military brass band appeared in Russia.

In Europe, military brass bands reached their peak under Napoleon, but even Bonaparte himself admitted that he had two Russian enemies - frosts and Russian military music. These words once again prove that Russian military music is a unique phenomenon.

Peter I had a special love for wind instruments. He ordered the best teachers from Germany to teach soldiers how to play instruments.

At the beginning of the 20th century in Russia there was already enough large number military brass bands, and under Soviet rule they began to develop even more actively. They were especially popular in the 70s. At this time, the repertoire expanded noticeably, many methodological literature.

Repertoire

Military brass bands of the 18th century suffered from an insufficient supply of music. Since at that time composers did not write music for wind ensembles, they had to make transcriptions of symphonic works.

In the 19th century, music for brass bands was written by G. Berlioz, A. Schoenberg, A. Roussel and other composers. And in the 20th century, many composers began to write music for wind ensembles. In 1909 English composer Gustav Holst wrote the first piece specifically for a military brass band.

Composition of a modern military brass band

Military brass bands may consist only of brass and percussion instruments(then they are called homogeneous), but can also include woodwinds (then they are called mixed). The first version of the composition is now extremely rare; the second version of the composition is much more common.

Usually there are three types of mixed brass band: small, medium and large. A small orchestra has 20 musicians, while the average is 30, and a large orchestra has 42 or more.

Woodwind instruments in the orchestra include flutes, oboes (except alto), all types of clarinets, saxophones and bassoons.

Also, such brass instruments create a special flavor for the orchestra. wind instruments, like trumpets, tubas, horns, trombones, violas, trumpets, tenors and baritones. It is worth noting that altos and tenors (varieties of saxhorns), as well as baritones (varieties of tuba) are found exclusively in brass bands, that is, these instruments are not used in symphony orchestras.

Not a single military brass band can do without such percussion instruments as small and large, timpani, cymbals, triangles, tambourine and tambourine.

Leading a military band is a special honor

A military orchestra, like any other, is controlled by a conductor. I would like to draw attention to the fact that the location of the conductor in relation to the orchestra members can be different. For example, if a performance takes place in a park, then the conductor takes a traditional place - facing the orchestra and with his back to the audience. But if the orchestra performs at the parade, then the conductor walks ahead of the orchestra members and holds in his hands an attribute that is necessary for every military conductor - a tambour pole. The conductor who directs the musicians in the parade is called a drum major.

MILITARY ORCHESTRA - spirit. an orchestra that is a regular unit of a military unit (see Brass band). In Sov. Army of V. o. exist in combat units and formations (in regiments, divisions, on ships), during military operations. educational institutions and military. academies, at military headquarters. districts.

The basis of V. o. is a group of copper spirits. instruments - saxhorns. It includes cornets in B, altos in Es, tenors and baritones in B, basses in Es and in B (in some V. altos are replaced by horns in Es). In addition, the typical composition of the Sov regimental orchestra. The army (the so-called medium mixed composition) includes a group of wooden spirits. instruments: flute, clarinets in B, as well as horns in Es or in F, trumpets in B, trombones, percussion instruments, snare and bass drums and cymbals. Orchestras with a larger composition (the so-called large mixed composition) also have oboes, bassoons, clarinet in Es, timpani, and sometimes saxophones and strings. double basses, and a group of horns, trumpets and trombones is represented by a large number of instruments.

Unlike the symphony. orchestra, compositions of the V. o. not completely unified; in the armies of different countries various types are used. combinations of the above tools. In French orchestras. armies have long been dominated by a wooden spirit. tools in it. armies - brass, in American orchestras. army means. Saxophones take the place.

V. o. Sov. The Army and Navy are staffed with qualified profs. military musicians over conscript service and from private conscripts. With many V. o. there are music pupils. At the head of V. o. costs military conductor with a higher education in music. education and being at the same time an officer-commander.

Among V. o. Sov. There are many highly professional people in the army. groups (Exemplary Orchestra of the Ministry of Defense of the USSR, Exemplary Orchestra of the Navy, exemplary orchestras of the Air Force Engineering Academy named after H. E. Zhukovsky and the Military Academy named after M. V. Frunze, headquarters of Moscow, Leningrad, etc. . military districts).

Repertoire of V. o. consists of plays for service purposes (marching, counter, funeral marches, music of military ceremonial - evening dawn, changing of guards), conc. plays and entertaining music (dances, pieces of light, so-called garden music, fantasy music, rhapsodies, medleys, overtures). See also Military music.

Literature: Matveev V., Russian military orchestra, M.-L., 1965; Saro J. H., Instrumentationslehre für Militärmusik, V., 1883; Kalkbrenner A., ​​Die Organization der Militärmusikchöre aller Länder, Hannover, 1884; Parés G., Traite d'instrumentation et d'orchestration a l'usage des musiques militaires..., P.-Bruss., 1898; Laaser C. A., Gedrängte theoretisch-praktische Instrumentationstabelle für Militär-Infanterie-Musik, Lpz., 1913 ; Vessella A., La banda dalle origini fino ai nostri giorni, Mil., 1939; Adkins H. E., Treatise on the military band, L., 1958.

P. I. Apostolov

Brass band instruments. Wind instruments

The core of the brass band consists of wide-bore brass instruments with a conical bore: cornets, flugelhorns, euphoniums, altos, tenors, baritones, tubas. Another group consists of copper narrow-bore instruments with a cylindrical bore: trumpets, trombones, horns. The group of woodwind instruments includes labial - flutes and lingual (reed) - clarinets, saxophones, oboes, bassoons. The group of main percussion instruments includes timpani, bass drum, cymbals, snare drum, triangle, tambourine, tam-tam. Jazz and Latin American drums are also used: rhythm cymbals, congos and bongos, tom-toms, claves, tartarugas, agogos, maracas, castanets, pandeiras, etc.

Brass instruments Pipe Cornet French horn Trombone Tenor Baritone	Percussion instruments Snare drum Big drum Plates Timpani Tambourine and tambourine Wooden box Triangle
Woodwind instruments Flute Oboe Clarinet Saxophone Bassoon

Orchestra

A brass band is an orchestra that includes wind (wooden and brass or only brass) and percussion musical instruments, one of the mass performing groups. As a stable performing association, it was formed in a number of European countries in the 17th century. Appeared in Russia at the end of the 17th - beginning of the 18th centuries. (military brass bands attached to the regiments of the Russian army).

Instrumental composition D. o. gradually improved. The modern brass band has 3 main varieties, which are mixed-type orchestras: small (20), medium (30) and large (42-56 or more performers). The composition of the large D. o. includes: flutes, oboes (including alto), clarinets (including snare, alto and bass clarinet), saxophones (sopranos, altos, tenors, baritones), bassoons (including contrabassoon), horns, trumpets, trombones, cornets, altos, tenors , baritones, basses (brass tubas and bowed double bass) and percussion instruments with and without a specific pitch. When performing concert works as part of the D. o. the harp, celesta, piano and other instruments are occasionally introduced.

Modern D. o. conduct diverse concert and popularization activities. Their repertoire includes almost all outstanding works of domestic and world musical classics. Among Soviet conductors D. o. - S. A. Chernetsky, V. M. Blazhevich, F. I. Nikolaevsky, V. I. Agapkin.

Great Soviet Encyclopedia

Structure of a brass band

Main groups, their role and capabilities

The basis of a brass band is a group of instruments that exists under common name"saxhorns". They are named after A. Sachs, who invented them in the 40s of the 19th century. Saxhorns were an improved type of instruments called bugles (bugelhorns). Currently, in the USSR this group is usually called the main copper group. It includes: a) high tessitura instruments - sopranino saxophone, soprano saxophone (cornets); b) instruments of the middle register - altos, tenors, baritones; c) low register instruments - saxhorn-bass and saxhorn-double bass.

The other two groups of the orchestra are woodwinds and percussion. The group of saxhorns actually forms the small brass band. With the addition of woodwinds to this group, as well as horns, trumpets, trombones and percussion, small mixed and large mixed compositions are formed.

In general, a group of saxhorns with a conical tube and a wide scale characteristic of these instruments have a fairly large, strong sound and rich technical capabilities. This especially applies to cornets, instruments of great technical flexibility and bright, expressive sound. They are primarily entrusted with the main melodic material of the work.

Middle register instruments - altos, tenors, baritones - perform two important tasks in a brass band. Firstly, they fill the harmonic “middle”, that is, they perform the main voices of harmony, in a wide variety of types of presentation (in the form of sustained sounds, figuration, repeated notes, etc.). Secondly, they interact with other groups of the orchestra, primarily with the cornet (one of the usual combinations is the performance of the theme by cornets and tenors in an octave), as well as with the basses, which are often “helped” by the baritone.

Directly adjacent to this group are copper instruments, typical of symphony orchestra, - horns, trumpets, trombones (according to the wind band terminology adopted in the USSR - the so-called “characteristic brass”).

An important addition to the main brass band is the woodwind section. These are flutes, clarinets with their main varieties, and in large composition also oboes, bassoons, saxophones. Introduction to Orchestra wooden instruments(flutes, clarinets) allows you to significantly expand its range: for example, the melody (as well as harmony) played by cornets, trumpets and tenors can be doubled one or two octaves up. In addition, the importance of woodwinds lies in the fact that they, as M. I. Glinka wrote, “serve primarily for the color of the orchestra,” that is, they contribute to the colorfulness and brightness of its sound (Glinka, however, meant a symphony orchestra, but clearly , that this definition of his is also applicable to the wind orchestra).

Finally, it is necessary to emphasize the particularly important importance strike group in a brass band. Given the very unique specificity of the brass band and, above all, the high density, massive sound, as well as frequent cases of playing in the open air, on the march, with a significant predominance of marching and dance music in the repertoire, the organizing role of the drum rhythm is especially important. Therefore, a brass band, in comparison with a symphony band, is characterized by a somewhat forced, emphasized sound of the percussion group (when we hear the sounds of a brass band coming from afar, we first of all perceive the rhythmic beats of the bass drum, and then we begin to hear all the other voices).

Small mixed brass band

The decisive difference between a small brass orchestra and a small mixed orchestra is the pitch factor: thanks to the participation of flutes and clarinets with their varieties, the orchestra gains access to the “zone” of the high register. Consequently, the overall volume of sound changes, which has a very great value, since the fullness of the orchestra’s sound depends not so much on absolute strength, but on register breadth and spaciousness of arrangement. In addition, opportunities arise to compare the sound of a brass orchestra with a contrasting wooden band. Hence a certain reduction in the boundaries of the “activity” of the brass group itself, which to a certain extent loses the universality that is natural in a small brass orchestra.

Thanks to the presence of the wooden group, as well as the characteristic brass (horn, trumpet), it becomes possible to introduce new timbres that arise from mixing colors both in the wooden and copper groups, and in the wooden group itself.

Thanks to the great technical capabilities, the wooden “brass” is relieved of technical force, the overall sound of the orchestra becomes lighter, and the “viscosity” typical of brass instrument technology is not felt.

All this taken together makes it possible to expand the boundaries of the repertoire: a small mixed orchestra has access to more wide circle works of various genres.

Thus, a small mixed brass band is a more advanced performing group, and this, in turn, imposes broader responsibilities both on the orchestra members themselves (technique, ensemble coherence) and on the leader (conducting technique, selection of repertoire).

Large mixed brass band

The highest form of brass band is a large mixed brass band, which can perform works of considerable complexity.

This composition is characterized primarily by the introduction of trombones, three or four (to contrast the trombones with the “soft” group of saxhorns), three parts of trumpets, four parts of horns. In addition, a large orchestra has significantly more full group woodwinds, which consists of three flutes (two large and piccolo), two oboes (with the second oboe replaced by an English horn or with its independent part), a large group of clarinets with their varieties, two bassoons (sometimes with a contrabassoon) and saxophones.

In a large orchestra, helicons are, as a rule, replaced by tubas (their structure, principles of play, and fingering are the same as for helicons).

The percussion group is added by timpani, usually three: large, medium and small.

It is clear that a large orchestra, compared to a small one, has significantly greater colorful and dynamic capabilities. It is typical for him to use more diverse playing techniques - the widespread use of the technical capabilities of wooden instruments, the use of “closed” sounds (mute) in a brass group, a wide variety of timbre and harmonic combinations of instruments.

In a large orchestra, it is especially advisable to contrast trumpets and cornets, as well as the widespread use of divisi techniques for clarinets and cornets, and the division of each group can be increased to 4-5 voices.

Naturally, a large mixed orchestra significantly exceeds small orchestras in terms of the number of musicians (if a small brass orchestra has 10-12 people, a small mixed orchestra has 25-30 people, then a large mixed orchestra has 40-50 musicians or more).

Brass band. Brief essay. I. Gubarev. M.: Soviet composer, 1963

A list of them will be given in this article. It also contains information about the types of wind instruments and the principle of extracting sound from them.

Wind instruments

These are pipes that can be made of wood, metal or any other material. They have different shapes and produce musical sounds of different timbres, which are extracted through air flow. The timbre of the “voice” of a wind instrument depends on its size. The larger it is, the more air passes through it, which makes its vibration frequency lower and the sound produced low.

There are two ways to change the output of a given type of instrument:

• adjusting the air volume with your fingers, using rockers, valves, valves, and so on, depending on the type of tool;
• increasing the force of blowing an air column into the pipe.

The sound depends entirely on the flow of air, hence the name - wind instruments. A list of them will be given below.

Varieties of wind instruments

There are two main types - copper and wood. Initially, they were classified in this way depending on the material from which they were made. Now at to a greater extent The type of instrument depends on the way the sound is produced from it. For example, the flute is considered a woodwind instrument. Moreover, it can be made of wood, metal or glass. The saxophone is always produced only in metal, but belongs to the woodwind class. Copper tools can be made from various metals: copper, silver, brass and so on. There is a special variety - keyboard wind instruments. The list of them is not so long. These include harmonium, organ, accordion, melodica, button accordion. Air enters them thanks to special bellows.

What instruments are wind instruments?

Let's list the wind instruments. The list is as follows:

• pipe;
• clarinet;
• trombone;
• accordion;
• flute;
• saxophone;
• organ;
• zurna;
• oboe;
• harmonium;
• balaban;
• accordion;
• French horn;
• bassoon;
• tuba;
• bagpipes;
• duduk;
• harmonica;
• Macedonian gaida;
• shakuhachi;
• ocarina;
• serpent;
• horn;
• helicon;
• didgeridoo;
• kurai;
• trembita.

You can name some other similar tools.

Brass

Brass wind musical instruments, as mentioned above, are made of various metals, although in the Middle Ages there were also those made of wood. The sound is extracted from them by strengthening or weakening the blown air, as well as by changing the position of the musician’s lips. Initially, brass instruments were played only in the 30s of the 19th century, valves appeared on them. This allowed such instruments to reproduce a chromatic scale. The trombone has a retractable slide for these purposes.

Brass instruments (list):

• pipe;
• trombone;
• French horn;
• tuba;
• serpent;
• helicon.

Woodwinds

Musical instruments of this type were initially made exclusively from wood. Today this material is practically not used for their production. The name reflects the principle of sound production - there is a wooden reed inside the tube. These musical instruments are equipped with holes on the body, located at a strictly defined distance from each other. The musician opens and closes them while playing with his fingers. Thanks to this, a certain sound is obtained. Woodwind instruments sound according to this principle. The names (list) included in this group are as follows:

• clarinet;
• zurna;
• oboe;
• balaban;
• flute;
• bassoon.

Reed musical instruments

There is another type of wind instrument - reed. They sound thanks to a flexible vibrating plate (tongue) located inside. The sound is produced by exposing it to air, or by pulling and plucking. Based on this feature, you can create a separate list of tools. Reed wind instruments are divided into several types. They are classified according to the method of sound extraction. It depends on the type of reed, which can be metal (for example, as in organ pipes), freely slipping (as in Jew's harp and harmonicas), or beating, or reed, as in reed woodwinds.

List of tools of this type:

• harmonica;
• Jew's harp;
• clarinet;
• accordion;
• bassoon;
• saxophone;
• kalimba;
• harmonic;
• oboe;
• hulus.

Wind instruments with a freely slipping reed include: button accordion, labial. In them, air is pumped by blowing through the musician’s mouth, or by bellows. The air flow causes the reeds to vibrate and thus produce sound from the instrument. The harp also belongs to this type. But its tongue vibrates not under the influence of an air column, but with the help of the musician’s hands, by pinching and pulling it. Oboe, bassoon, saxophone and clarinet are of a different type. In them the tongue is beating, and it is called a cane. The musician blows air into the instrument. As a result, the reed vibrates and sound is produced.

Where are wind instruments used?

Wind instruments, the list of which was presented in this article, are used in orchestras of various compositions. For example: military, brass, symphonic, pop, jazz. And also occasionally they can perform as part of a chamber ensemble. It is extremely rare that they are soloists.

Flute

This is a list related to this has been given above.

The flute is one of the oldest musical instruments. It does not use a reed like other woodwinds. Here the air is cut through the edge of the instrument itself, due to which sound is formed. There are several types of flutes.

Syringa - single-barreled or multi-barrel instrument Ancient Greece. Its name comes from the name of the bird's vocal organ. The multi-barreled syringa later became known as the Pan flute. This instrument was played by peasants and shepherds in ancient times. IN Ancient Rome Syringa accompanied the performances on stage.

The recorder is a wooden instrument belonging to the whistle family. Close to it are the sopilka, pipe and whistle. Its difference from other woodwinds is that on its back there is an octave valve, that is, a hole for closing with a finger, on which the height of other sounds depends. They are extracted by blowing air and closing the 7 holes located on the front side with the musician’s fingers. This type of flute was most popular between the 16th and 18th centuries. Its timbre is soft, melodious, warm, but at the same time its capabilities are limited. Such great composers as Anthony Vivaldi, Johann Sebastian Bach, George Frideric Handel and others used the recorder in many of their works. The sound of this instrument is weak, and gradually its popularity declined. This happened after the transverse flute appeared, which is by far the most used. Nowadays, the recorder is used mainly as a teaching instrument. Beginning flutists master it first, only then move on to the longitudinal one.

The piccolo flute is a type of transverse flute. It has the highest timbre of all wind instruments. Its sound is whistling and piercing. Piccolo is half as long as usual. Its range is from “D” second to “C” fifth.

Other types of flutes: transverse, panflute, di, Irish, kena, flute, pyzhatka, whistle, ocarina.

Trombone

This is a brass instrument (the list of those included in this family was presented in this article above). The word "trombone" is translated from Italian as "big trumpet". It has existed since the 15th century. The trombone differs from other instruments in this group in that it has a slide - a tube with which the musician produces sounds by changing the volume of air flow inside the instrument. There are several types of trombone: tenor (the most common), bass and alto (used less frequently), double bass and soprano (practically not used).

Khulus

This is a Chinese reed wind instrument with additional pipes. Its other name is bilandao. He has three or four pipes in total - one main (melodic) and several bourdon (low-sounding). The sound of this instrument is soft and melodic. Most often, hulus are used for solo performance, very rarely - in an ensemble. Traditionally, men played this instrument when declaring their love to a woman.

Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation

Municipal educational institution

secondary school No. 30

in history

"Military Bands"

Completed

student of 11th grade "B"

Aksenova Anastasia Alekseevna

Scientific supervisor

History teacher

Bukharina G.A.

Tver, 2011

Introduction........................................................ ............................................... 3

Main part................................................... ..................................... 4

History of military music in Russia................................................... ....... 4

Presidential Orchestra........................................................ ................... 9

Musical instruments of a military band................................... 10

Genres of military music................................................... .................... 14

Repertoire of military music................................................... ............... 14

Military Band Festivals................................................................... .......... 15

"Spasskaya Tower"................................................... ........................... 15

International St. Petersburg Festival of Military Brass Bands.................................................... ........................................................ ............ 18

Conclusion................................................. ........................................... 19

List of used literature......................................................... ... 20

I first met a military band several years ago...

While visiting a friend in Moscow, I managed to visit the Alexander Garden, where I saw a brilliant performance by the Presidential Orchestra. The performance I saw greatly shocked me, so I wanted to learn more about the history of the creation of military bands and about military music in general.

Music- These are sounds arranged in a certain sequence. It can be pleasant to the ear, harmonious, and can convey some mood or idea.

Orchestra- a group of performers playing musical instruments together.

Brass band- a group of performers on wind (wood and brass or only brass - the so-called band) and percussion instruments. Small composition of D. o. includes 20, large - 40-50 sp. (sometimes 80-100); in the latter the group of wooden instruments is more widely represented, which allows expanding the repertoire. Since ancient times, in Egypt, Persia, Greece, and India it served to accompany celebrations and military operations; in Europe - from the 17th century. Music for D. o. wrote J.B. Lully, f. J. Gossec, E. Megul, G. Berlioz, G. F. Handel, L. Beethoven, R. Wagner, A., A. Alyabyev, N. A. Rimsky-Korsakov, A. S. Arensky, etc. . O. It is also used as part of a symphony orchestra (Requiem-Berlioz, Triumphant Overture "1812" by Tchaikovsky), as well as in opera as a stage orchestra. Most common as a military band.

Military band- brass band, a special full-time military unit designed to perform military music, that is, musical works during drill training of troops, during military rituals, ceremonies, as well as for concert activities. There are homogeneous military bands, consisting of brass and percussion instruments, and mixed ones, which also include a group of woodwind instruments. V. o. are staffed by qualified profs. military musicians in long-term service and from ordinary conscripts. With many V. o. There are musical students. The leadership of a military orchestra is carried out by a military conductor who has a higher musical education and is also an officer-commander

Military music - music serving the purposes of patriotic education and drill training of troops. V. m. in the troops also carries out the functions of signaling, warning, communications and control.

In Russia, military combat has long contributed to the formation of high moral and combat qualities of the Russian soldier. During the period of Kievan Rus and later, military campaigns were accompanied by music using trumpets, tambourines, nozzles (wooden pipes), and later - nakras, alarm bells, kettledrums, as well as siposhes, jew's harps, and tulumbas.

From the 2nd half. 16th century and especially to ser. 17th century Foreign virtuosos trumpeters and horn players are invited to the royal service, the training of domestic musicians-performers on wind instruments begins, the repertoire is enriched, and performing skills are improved.

Under Ivan IV in 1547, the Order was first created Grand Palace for managing Russian military music. Since then, military music has remained the tuning fork of the soul of the Russian soldier.

Peter I attached great importance to military music as a means of strengthening military discipline and raising the morale and fighting spirit of troops. The first military bands arose during the formation of the first Russian regiments - Semenovsky and Preobrazhensky. It was these orchestras that played at parades in honor of the victory in Northern War, and the march of the Preobrazhensky Regiment eventually became the unofficial anthem of the Russian Empire. Creation at the beginning of the 18th century. a massive regular national army required a new organization of military music service in the troops. In the infantry regiments (except for the guard), full-time orchestras were introduced, consisting of 9 “oboists” (the general name for military musicians) and 16 company drummers (2 per company). The “Military Charter” (1716, published in St. Petersburg in 1826) and other documents regulated the actions of troops carried out under the military forces. Garrison schools were established in which the children of military personnel (later called cantonists) studied literacy, military sciences, and singing on notes, playing musical instruments. V. m. was used during the wars of Peter I with the Swedes and Turks. It was represented by small instrumental compositions of the fanfare-heroic and march type, close to the greeting, solemn, counter, table, “viva” and other cants that became famous under Peter I.

During the reign of Elizabeth Petrovna, regiments that distinguished themselves in battle began to be awarded, along with banners and orders, with silver trumpets of St. George as symbols of military valor and glory. This tradition has been entrenched in the Russian army for a long time.

During the reign of Catherine II, the staff of regimental bands increased. The military-patriotic and socio-cultural significance of military music especially increased during the Russian-Turkish wars. The outstanding Russian commander A.V. Suvorov said catchphrase: “Music doubles, triples the army. With unfurled banners and loud music I took Ishmael.”

Development musical art V early XIX century was largely determined by events Patriotic War 1812-1814 The military marches that sounded during the battles became symbols of the valor of the Russian army. Patriotic impulse, growth national identity, associated with the war of liberation against Napoleon, clearly manifested itself in the field of military music. Many heroic and patriotic works arose, including marches by O.A. Kozlovsky, N.A. Titov, K.A. Kavos, F. Antonolini, A.A. Derfeld and others.
Russian military music influenced the drill repertoire of foreign, in particular German, military orchestras. Introduced into Russian military bands at the beginning of the 19th century. Technical improvements in copper instruments were then adopted by the English army.

In the second quarter of the XIX century in Russia, the talents of A.S. Dargomyzhsky, M.I. Glinka, A.A. Alyabyev and other composers entered their heyday. At this time, the first steps were taken towards creating original works for brass bands. A catchphrase from that period has been preserved: “A military band is the calling card of a regiment.”

The development of military orchestral music was particularly influenced by the activities of N.A. Rimsky-Korsakov as inspector of “military musical choirs” of the Maritime Department. The reforms he carried out in the navy in the composition of military bands and the organization of training for them served as an excellent example to follow when carrying out similar reforms in the army.

In the second half of the 19th century, the use of military music in battle became limited due to the increase in the density of fire and maneuverability of troops, which occurred as a result of the development of military equipment and weapons.

In 1882, the first military orchestra in Russia was created in St. Petersburg, whose duties included not only providing military rituals, but also participating in protocol state ceremonies. The orchestra's musicians successfully played in palaces and during receptions of foreign ambassadors and events held in the highest presence.

During the wars with Turkey, Russian military musicians became acquainted with Turkish or "Janissary music", which was included in Russian military bands; Following Russia, other European countries introduced it into their military bands. In turn, some Russified foreign musicians contributed to the development of Russian music (V.I. Glavach, V.V. Wurm, A. and A.D. Derfelt, F.B. Gaase, etc.).

During the Russo-Japanese and World War I, military bands took an active part in military operations. Many domestic military musicians fell on the battlefields, and military units that distinguished themselves were often awarded silver trumpets of St. George. In days of peace, military bands continued to participate in drill training of troops, in numerous parades, and in the musical arrangement of military rituals.
After the Great October Socialist Revolution, V. m. is saturated with new content; she brings to the masses the melodies of “Marseillaise”, “Internationale”, revolutionary songs and combat patriotic marches. From a simple attribute of the military system, training and combat, it turns into an important tool for mass political work, educating Red Army soldiers and the civilian population in a revolutionary spirit. The first Soviet commanders and military leaders laid the ideological, artistic and organizational foundations of Soviet military art. M. V. Frunze, K. E. Voroshilov, S. M. Budyonny, G. I. Kotovsky, I. A. Shchors, S. G. Lazo and other famous heroes Civil War personally contributed to the development of Soviet military orchestral art. From the first days of the creation of the Workers 'and Peasants' Red Army, the Soviet state devoted great attention organization of military band service.

The post-revolutionary years of the 20th century became a period of spontaneous emergence of military bands, most of them unable to meet the tasks facing them. To centrally manage the activities of military bands, the Bureau of Military Bands of the Red Army and Navy was created in 1919. It was during this period that the “Kremlin musical team” of the Moscow Kremlin garrison was created, which over time became a professional group - the Presidential Orchestra of Russia.

The increase in the size of the Red Army in the 1930s dictated an increase in the need for military musicians. Therefore, during this period, the network of military educational institutions increased significantly, among which the military department of the Moscow State Conservatory was created. During the same period, military bands were involved in work on radio, recording records and music for films.

During the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945, military weapons were sometimes used in combat operations (breaking the blockade of Leningrad, decisive assaults in battles for populated areas, etc.). Concerts of military-patriotic music abroad for the population of liberated cities, as a rule, spontaneously grew into rallies, the participants of which expressed high feelings gratitude to the Country of Socialism and its mighty Armed Forces.

During the Great Patriotic War, military bands performed concerts on the radio and on the front lines, raising the morale of soldiers. The repertoires of military bands were dominated by works by domestic composers, as well as folk music, but marches remained the basis of the repertoire.

In the post-war years, brass music, along with mass song, remained at the forefront of national culture.

The range of military rituals and the daily performing practice of military bands has noticeably expanded: musical arrangement of ceremonial events and parades, combat training of troops, military maneuvers and reviews. Competitions, holidays and festivals of military music have become traditional.

At the same time, its importance in the training of troops has noticeably increased, and its social organizing functions during various solemn and ceremonial events and folk festivals have increased. Its cultural and educational role as a specific variety of Soviet musical art as a whole has strengthened. Depending on the tasks and conditions of use, we determined means of expression Military m. and its main varieties: signal, drill, public ceremonial, entertainment and concert military m. Statutes of the Soviets. The armies have significantly simplified the signal service in all branches of the military, freeing it from outdated signals, drumbeats and marches that have lost their significance in battle, formation and military life.

Since the 60s. XX century army and naval orchestras of our country become permanent participants international festivals brass music and begin to travel to foreign countries.

Thanks to their high level of performing skills and creative potential, military musicians played a significant role in the development of domestic musical art.

In the modern period, military bands not only provide military rituals, but also take an active part in all significant public events, and carry out extensive concert and educational work.

Since 2005, on the initiative of the Presidential Orchestra of Russia, in the summer, brass bands perform at the grotto in the Alexander Garden. This initiative was supported by the Moscow Government and many cultural organizations, and now almost all the well-known military musical groups in the capital perform at the grotto in the Alexander Garden.

The opportunity provided for the free formation of a repertoire allowed military conductors to create pop groups based on orchestras and fruitfully collaborate with composers in the field of brass music.

At the moment, military bands, being carriers of musical culture, preserve and enhance the glorious traditions of Russian military music.

This is the main musical group during official events of national importance, including the inauguration of the President of the Russian Federation. Included in the structure Federal service security The group consists of 140 professional musicians.

The orchestra was created on September 11, 1938 within the command structure of the commandant of the Moscow Kremlin. IN different years bore the names: orchestra of the commandant's office of the Moscow Kremlin, exemplary orchestra of the commandant's office of the Moscow Kremlin, Kremlin orchestra. The band received the name “Presidential Orchestra” on September 11, 1993.

Since 2004, the artistic director and chief conductor of the orchestra has been Honored Artist of the Russian Federation Anton Orlov.

The musical group takes part in high-ranking state ceremonies, in particular, accompanies visits to Russia by heads of state and government. The soloists of this group know the anthems of most countries of the world. In addition, the orchestra participates in receptions dedicated to public holidays, memorable dates, in events with the participation of the head of state. The number and composition of the group depends on the type of such events: the brass band works at meetings, send-offs, during state visits, and the symphony band accompanies receptions, award ceremonies, and dinners. The Russian Presidential Orchestra is one of the few military orchestras in the world that has a symphony composition.

Tambourine- a percussion musical instrument of indefinite pitch, consisting of a leather membrane stretched over a wooden rim. Some types of tambourines have metal bells attached to them, which begin to ring when the performer strikes the membrane of the tambourine, rubs it, or shakes the entire instrument.

Currently, there are two main types of tambourines:

- People's or ethnic, wooden rim with a stretched leather membrane. Depending on their purpose, tambourines come in all sorts of sizes. Tools of this type are used for ritual purposes by indigenous shamans. Their design may include small bells tied to a wire stretched under the membrane.

- Orchestral tambourine, the most common option, with a leather or plastic membrane and metal plates fixed in special slots on the rim. The instrument has firmly established itself in professional music, becoming one of the main percussion instruments of a symphony orchestra.

Timpani(Italian timpani, fr. timbales, German Pauken, English kettle drums) is a percussion musical instrument with a certain pitch. They are a system of two or more (up to seven) metal cauldron-shaped bowls, the open side of which is covered with leather or plastic, and the lower part has a hole.

The timpani is a very ancient origin. In Europe, timpani, similar in form to modern ones, but with a constant tuning, became known already in the 15th century, and since the 17th century, timpani have been part of orchestras. Subsequently, a mechanism of tension screws appeared, which made it possible to rebuild the timpani. In military affairs, they were used in heavy cavalry, where they were used to transmit combat control signals, in particular, to control the formation of cavalrymen. Modern timpani can be tuned to a specific pitch using a special pedal.

Dudka- Russian folk musical wind instrument, consisting of elderberry reed or reed and having several side holes, and a mouthpiece for blowing. There are double pipes: two folded tubes are blown through one common mouthpiece.

Clarinet(Italian clarinetto, fr. clarinette, German Clarinette, English clarinet or clarionet listen)) is a woodwind musical instrument with a single reed. It was invented around 1700 in Nuremberg, and has been actively used in music since the second half of the XVIII century. It is used in a wide variety of musical genres and compositions: as a solo instrument, in chamber ensembles, symphony and brass orchestras, folk music, on stage and in jazz. The clarinet has a wide range, warm, soft timbre and provides the performer with wide expressive possibilities.

The appearance of the clarinet in Russia dates back to mid-17th century I century. The first clarinetists were German and Czech musicians invited to serve in the Imperial Chapel: Christoph Lankammer, Karl Compagnon, Joseph Grimm (1750-1831), Georg Brunner (1750-1826), Karl Manstein. Since 1764, the first Russian clarinetist Fyodor Ladunka was a clarinetist in the court orchestra. For 10 years (1782-1792), at the invitation of Catherine II, the outstanding German virtuoso clarinetist Johann Joseph Behr (1744-1812) worked in Russia.

At the turn of the 18th-19th centuries, the largest European clarinetists came to Russia on tour - the Austrian Anton Stadler, the Swede Bernhard Henrik Krusell, and later (in 1822 and 1832) the German Heinrich Joseph Berman (1784-1847) and his son Karl (1810-1885). ), Belgian Arnold Joseph Blaise (1814-1892). Among the Russian clarinetists of this period, it should be noted the soloist of the Imperial Theater Orchestra in Moscow P. I. Titov (1796-1860), who actively gave concerts until mid-19th century, and St. Petersburg resident Mikhail Tushinsky (1817-1852).

· Sergei Rozanov - founder of the national school of clarinet playing

· Vladimir Sokolov - one of the best Soviet clarinetists

French horn(from German. Waldhorn- “forest horn”, Italian. corno, English French horn, fr. cor) is a brass musical instrument of the bass-tenor register. Derived from a hunting signal horn, it entered the orchestra in the middle of the 17th century. Until the 1830s, like others brass instruments, had no valves and was a natural instrument with a limited scale (the so-called “natural horn”, which Beethoven used). The horn is used in symphony and brass orchestras, as well as as an ensemble and solo instrument. The timbre of the instrument is somewhat rough in the lower register, soft and melodious on the piano, light and bright on the forte - in the middle and upper register.

Pipe(Italian tromba, fr. trompette, German Trompete, English trumpet) is a brass musical instrument of the alto-soprano register, the highest in sound among brass instruments. The natural trumpet has been used as a signaling instrument since ancient times, and from around the 17th century it became part of the orchestra. With the invention of the valve mechanism, the trumpet received a full chromatic scale and from the middle of the 19th century became a full-fledged instrument classical music. The instrument has a bright, brilliant timbre, and is used as a solo instrument, in symphony and brass orchestras, as well as in jazz and other genres.

Drum- a percussion instrument, which is a hollow bowl or cylinder on which skin is stretched. The sound is created by vibrations of the skin either under the palms of the performer, or produced by mallets or sticks

Plates– an example of percussion instruments. Cymbals have been played since ancient times and have been used in many countries around the world. Sounds are produced by striking one plate against another.

Saxophone was invented by Adolph Sax in the 40s. XIX century Saxophones are made of metal and have a tube (like a clarinet). They belong to the wind reed instruments. There are seven varieties of saxophone - from the small sopranino to the baritone, which produces the lowest notes. It is this instrument that jazz music partly owes its success to.

The main genre of military music is the march. Its varieties are marching, or “fast”, ceremonial, or “for ceremonial passage”, columnar, fanfare, counter, funeral, as well as conc. type.

Repertoire of V. o. consists of plays for service purposes (marching, counter, funeral marches, music of military ceremonial - evening dawn, changing of guards), conc. plays and entertaining music (dances, pieces of light, so-called garden music, fantasy music, rhapsodies, medleys, overtures).

Many marches, waltzes, polkas, mazurkas and other plays were dedicated to specific military episodes of military history, reflected in general heroic or lyrical images patriotic ideas and had conventional names - mottos, Russian marches: “Entry into Paris”, “Battle of Liaoyang”, “Mukden”, “Geok-Tepe” (a fortress conquered by M.D. Skobelev), “Hero”, “Triumph” winners”, “Homesickness”, “Comrades in Arms”, “Farewell of a Slav”; waltzes: “On the Hills of Manchuria”, “Amur Waves”, mazurka “Ulans”, etc. A number of marches are named after the military units or branches of service to which they are dedicated: Preobrazhensky March, March of the Pechora Regiment, Column March of the 14th Grenadier (Georgian) Regiment, Jaeger March. Concert music, less rich in original pieces for wind ensemble, assimilates works of symphony, opera, choral and vocal music, especially of a military-heroic battle nature. Developing progressive national traditions Soviet composers are actively working in the field of Russian music and filling them with new content. Such major musicians as R. M. Gliere (“Red March”) contributed to the enrichment of music with musical compositions specially written for brass bands. Army", 1924), S. N. Vasilenko ("March of the Red Army", 1929), M. M. Ippolitov-Ivanov, N. Ya. Myaskovsky ("March of the Red Army" and "Dramatic March", 1931), D. D Shostakovich (“Solemn March”, 1940), S. S. Prokofiev (March op. 99), etc. Along with marching compositions of a concert nature, marching marches were created (works by N. P. Ivanov-Radkevich, Yu. A. Khait, V. S. Runova, S. A. Chernetsky, etc.). Many marches were written on the national themes of the peoples of the USSR (marches by A. I. Khachaturian, A. V. Zataevich, A. M. Satyan, N. K. Chemberdzhi, D. F. Saliman-Vladimirov, etc.). Soviet composers created a significant number of works of large form for wind orchestras (19th Symphony and Dramatic Overture by Myaskovsky, 5th Symphony by Ivanov-Radkevich, 4 symphonies by Kozhevnikov, Passacaglia and Fugue by Makarov, “Poem about Battle of Stalingrad"and the symphony "Courage" by Dzegelenok, Kruchinin's Red Army suites, concert overtures, rhapsodies, fantasies, suites of various kinds. composers). Concert literature for individual wind instruments has developed significantly. The repertoire of modern military brass bands includes transcriptions of symphonies and symphonic works by D. D. Shostakovich, S. S. Prokofiev, A. I. Khachaturian, D. B. Kabalevsky and others, as well as fragments from classical and modern operas and ballets. A modern military brass band of average composition in the army provides a truly artistic expression of major works. The complexity of the repertoire of modern military bands and the high demands placed on its performance have necessitated the training of military conductors at the highest level. music education(Military Faculty at the Moscow Conservatory), as well as special training for military musicians.

Every year at the beginning of September in Moscow on Red Square the International Military Music Festival “Spasskaya Tower” is held - a parade of honorary guard units of heads of state and the best Russian and foreign military bands.

The Spasskaya Tower festival is held in accordance with the instructions of the President of the Russian Federation and under the patronage of the Public Council, headed by Deputy Chairman of the Government of the Russian Federation A.D. Zhukov.

The festival is traditionally held during the celebration of Moscow City Day and lasts five days.

“Spasskaya Tower” is the largest project ever implemented on Moscow’s Red Square and one of the most exciting events cultural life Russia.

Thanks to the Festival, military musicians representing the entire diversity of national, creative and military traditions of the planet become ambassadors of peace.

The Spasskaya Tower festival is a breathtaking musical and theatrical performance. This is a grandiose “battle” of army orchestras from different countries for the love and admiration of the audience, which takes place against the backdrop of the majestic walls of the Kremlin. An organic combination of military, classical, folk and pop music, parade parades of military bands and dance shows, demonstrations with weapons, laser and pyrotechnic effects - all this makes the festival one of the most striking and memorable spectacles of the year.

But the Spasskaya Tower is not only a dazzling show. It is a carefully tuned instrument for international cultural exchange. The festival brings together the best creative and musical groups from various countries. Each of them, possessing a unique national flavor unique to it, makes its contribution to mutual understanding between nations in the universal language of music. It is symbolic that thanks to the festival, military musicians, representing the entire diversity of national, creative and military traditions of the planet, become ambassadors of peace and mutual respect among peoples.

Many of these traditions go back centuries. Therefore, the festival inevitably finds itself in the context of History, first of all, the history of military music and the victories inspired by it. The festival's repertoire includes magnificent examples of march music, with which the most important pages of national and world history are inextricably linked.

The festival reveals and presents the enormous historical role of this music, which from the first notes evokes a surge of genuine pride in listeners for their Motherland.

The festival revives another tradition - the tradition of open performances by brass bands. Truly festive and inspiring music performed by world stars sounds during the festival in the squares and streets of the Russian capital. Thanks to the festival's large charity program, no one is left out of the celebration.

The history of the International St. Petersburg Festival dates back to 1996. Then the orchestras performed in the Alexander Hall of the State Hermitage, in the Summer Garden, in the parks of Pushkin’s Catherine Palace, opening the fountain season in Peterhof. The performances of these orchestras are truly worthy of the Guinness Book of Records - 1,500 musicians marched along Nevsky Prospect and performed on Palace Square. The holiday was a great success! During the Festival, the city rang with silver trumpets and sparkled with polished instruments. Military musicians showed the most high level performing culture, which, however, has always distinguished representatives of the St. Petersburg school. Music of a wide variety of genres sounded in the squares and streets of the city. The musicians and all the guests of the Festival saw with their own eyes that the music of brass bands is still widely popular and resonates in the hearts of modern listeners, regardless of age and social status.

The main feature of the Military Brass Band Festival is the beauty and grandeur of the show, as well as the original repertoire. At the festival, in addition to traditional marches, songs from past years are played.

The festival is an unforgettable musical celebration for citizens and guests of the city, with delightful concerts in open areas historical center city, with a grand procession along Nevsky Prospekt and final enchanting gala concerts in sports complexes and concert halls St. Petersburg. This is a unique musical show that brings together representatives of many countries on one stage; excellent technology and amazing performing skills create a special holiday atmosphere for St. Petersburg residents and guests of the city. The festival attracts the attention of various circles of the population and contributes to the education of patriotic feelings and respect for one of the most important social institutions of the state - the Armed Forces.

For several years, orchestras from Austria, England, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Turkey, Finland, Switzerland, Moldova, Ukraine and other countries have taken part in the Military Brass Band Festivals. Along with foreign orchestras, the leading military brass bands of Moscow and St. Petersburg annually participated in the Festival.

Military music has a long history. She went very long haul development from pagan dances to a modern military band with many rules and laws. Military music and military bands perform a vital function in the life of the country and the army: they support the morale of soldiers, unite the team, and give hope. Festivals are a real holiday for people and an opportunity for soldiers to show their skills.

Russian military music created in the army and for the army has become a unique phenomenon in musical culture countries.

1. Gubarev I., Brass Band, M., 1963

2. Matveev V., Russian military orchestra, M.-L, 1965

3. Musical encyclopedic dictionary, 1990

4. “Military music of Russia”, Voenizdat, 2007, Moscow

5. OXFORD Great schoolchild encyclopedia, “Rosman”, 2001

6. http://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_page

7. http://www.kremlin-military-tattoo.ru/

8. http://marsches.zbord.ru/viewforum.php?f=1

Silver St. George's silver trumpets

Some types of troops (for example, artillery or sappers) did not have banners. But a necessary accessory for almost all military units were trumpets, horns and drums, which were used to give signals during campaigns. And so the custom arose of rewarding units that distinguished themselves in battles with silver trumpets, which later began to be called St. George’s silver trumpets. In 1762, Catherine II, having received the throne Russian Empire and wanting to win over the army, she ordered silver trumpets to be made for the regiments that distinguished themselves during the capture of Berlin. An inscription was made on them: “With haste and bravery, the capture of the city of Berlin. September 28, 1760."

St. George's silver pipes appeared in 1805. Both were wrapped in a St. George ribbon with tassels made of silver thread, and on the bell of the St. George trumpets the sign of the Order of St. George was also attached. Most of the pipes had inscriptions, sometimes quite lengthy ones. The last inscription of a foreign Russian campaign army on the trumpet of the 33rd Chasseurs Regiment was the following: “Distinction during the storming of Montmartre on March 18, 1814.”

Gradually, a certain order was established in receiving award pipes. In the cavalry, the silver pipes were long and straight, while in the infantry they were shaped and bent several times. The infantry received two trumpets per regiment, and the cavalry had one in each squadron and one for the headquarters trumpeter.