Famous Russian composers. List of classical composers. The most famous classical music works Any composer

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 you can tell a lot, everyone is not simple, and sometimes tragic fates, but in this review we tried to give only brief description life and work of composers.

1. Mikhail Ivanovich Glinka

(1804-1857)

Mikhail Ivanovich Glinka during the composition of the opera “Ruslan and Lyudmila”. 1887, artist Ilya Efimovich Repin

“To create beauty, you yourself must be pure in soul.”

Mikhail Ivanovich Glinka is the founder of Russian classical music and the first Russian classical composer to achieve world fame. His works, based on the centuries-old traditions of Russian folk music, were a new word in the musical art of our country.

Born in the Smolensk province, he received his education in St. Petersburg. The formation of the worldview and the main idea of ​​​​Mikhail Glinka’s work was facilitated by direct communication with such personalities as A.S. Pushkin, V.A. Zhukovsky, A.S. Griboyedov, A.A. Delvig. The creative impetus for his work was added by a many-year trip to Europe in the early 1830s and meetings with the leading composers of the time - V. Bellini, G. Donizetti, F. Mendelssohn and later with G. Berlioz, J. Meyerbeer.

Success came to M.I. Glinka in 1836, after the production of the opera “Ivan Susanin” (“Life for the Tsar”), which was enthusiastically received by everyone; for the first time in world music, Russian choral art and European symphonic and opera practice were organically combined, and a hero like Susanin also appeared, whose image summarizes best features national character.

V.F. Odoevsky described the opera as “a new element in Art, and begins in its history new period- the period of Russian music."

The second opera is the epic “Ruslan and Lyudmila” (1842), work on which was carried out against the backdrop of Pushkin’s death and in the difficult living conditions of the composer, due to the deeply innovative nature of the work, was received ambiguously by the audience and the authorities, and brought difficult times for M.I. Glinka experiences. After that, he traveled a lot, alternately living in Russia and abroad, without stopping composing. His legacy includes romances, symphonic and chamber works. In the 1990s, Mikhail Glinka's "Patriotic Song" was the official anthem of the Russian Federation.

Quote about M.I. Glinka:“The entire Russian symphonic school, like an entire oak tree in an acorn, is contained in the symphonic fantasy “Kamarinskaya”. P.I.Tchaikovsky

Interesting fact: Mikhail Ivanovich Glinka was no different good health, despite this, he was very easy-going and knew geography very well; perhaps, if he had not become a composer, he would have become a traveler. He knew six foreign languages, including Persian.

2. Alexander Porfirievich Borodin

(1833-1887)

Alexander Porfirievich Borodin, one of the leading Russian composers of the second half of the 19th century, in addition to his talent as a composer, was a chemist, doctor, teacher, critic and had literary talent.

Born in St. Petersburg, from childhood everyone around him noted his unusual activity, passion and abilities in various directions, primarily in music and chemistry.

A.P. Borodin is a Russian composer-nugget, he had no professional music teachers, all his achievements in music thanks to independent work on mastering compositing techniques.

The formation of A.P. Borodin was influenced by the work of M.I. Glinka (as indeed all Russian composers of the 19th century), and the impetus for intensive study of composition in the early 1860s was given by two events - firstly, his acquaintance and marriage with the talented pianist E.S. Protopopova, and secondly, a meeting with M.A. Balakirev and joining creative community Russian composers, known as the “Mighty Handful”.

In the late 1870s and 1880s, A.P. Borodin traveled and toured a lot in Europe and America, met with leading composers of his time, his fame grew, he became one of the most famous and popular Russian composers in Europe at the end of the 19th century. th century.

The central place in the work of A.P. Borodin is occupied by the opera “Prince Igor” (1869-1890), which is an example of a national heroic epic in music and which he himself did not have time to complete (it was completed by his friends A.A. Glazunov and N.A. Rimsky-Korsakov). In “Prince Igor”, against the backdrop of majestic paintings historical events, reflected the main idea throughout the composer's work - courage, calm greatness, spiritual nobility of the best Russian people and the mighty strength of the entire Russian people, manifested in the defense of their homeland.

Despite the fact that A.P. Borodin left a relatively small number of works, his work is very diverse and he is considered one of the fathers of Russian symphonic music, who influenced many generations of Russian and foreign composers.

Quote about A.P. Borodin:“Borodin’s talent is equally powerful and amazing in symphony, opera and romance. Its main qualities are gigantic strength and breadth, colossal scope, swiftness and impetuosity, combined with amazing passion, tenderness and beauty.” V.V. Stasov

Interesting fact: A chemical reaction of silver salts is named after Borodin carboxylic acids with halogens, resulting in halogenated hydrocarbons, which he pioneered in 1861.

3. Modest Petrovich Mussorgsky

(1839-1881)

“The sounds of human speech, as outward manifestations of thought and feeling, must, without exaggeration and violence, become music that is truthful, accurate, but artistic, highly artistic.”

Modest Petrovich Mussorgsky is one of the most brilliant Russian composers of the 19th century, a member of the “Mighty Handful”. Mussorgsky's innovative work was far ahead of its time.

Born in the Pskov province. Like many talented people, from childhood showed ability in music, studied in St. Petersburg, was, according to family tradition, a military man. The decisive event that determined that Mussorgsky was not born for military service, and for music, it was his meeting with M.A. Balakirev and joining the “Mighty Handful”.

Mussorgsky is great because in his grandiose works - the operas "Boris Godunov" and "Khovanshchina" - he captured dramatic milestones in music Russian history with a radical novelty that Russian music had not known before him, showing in them a combination of mass folk scenes and a diverse wealth of types, the unique character of the Russian people. These operas, in numerous editions by both the author and other composers, are among the most popular Russian operas in the world.

Another outstanding work of Mussorgsky is the cycle of piano pieces "Pictures at an Exhibition", colorful and inventive miniatures permeated with a Russian theme-refrain and Orthodox faith.

Mussorgsky's life had everything - both greatness and tragedy, but he was always distinguished by genuine spiritual purity and selflessness.

His last years were difficult - unsettled life, lack of recognition of creativity, loneliness, addiction to alcohol, all this determined him early death at 42, he left relatively few works, some of which were completed by other composers.

The specific melody and innovative harmony of Mussorgsky anticipated some features musical development 20th century and played an important role in the formation of the styles of many world composers.

Quote about M.P. Mussorgsky:“The original Russian sounds in everything that Mussorgsky created” N.K. Roerich

Interesting fact: At the end of his life, Mussorgsky, under pressure from his “friends” Stasov and Rimsky-Korsakov, renounced the copyright to his works and donated them to Tertius Filippov.

4. Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

(1840-1893)

“I am an artist who can and should bring honor to my Motherland. I feel great artistic strength in myself; I have not yet done even a tenth of what I can do. And I want to do this with all the strength of my soul.”

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, perhaps the greatest Russian composer of the 19th century, raised the unprecedented height Russian musical art. 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 the popular figures of the “Mighty Handful”, 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 the Russians 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. And 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:“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: The University of Cambridge awarded Tchaikovsky the title of Doctor of Music in absentia and without defending a dissertation, and the Paris Academy of Fine Arts elected him a corresponding member.

5. Nikolai Andreevich Rimsky-Korsakov

(1844-1908)

Nikolai Andreevich Rimsky-Korsakov is a talented Russian composer, one of the most important figures in the creation of an invaluable Russian musical heritage. His unique world and worship of the eternal all-encompassing beauty of the universe, admiration for the miracle of existence, unity with nature have no analogues in the history of music.

Born in the Novgorod province, according to family tradition he became a naval officer, and traveled around many countries in Europe and the two Americas on a warship. He received his musical education first from his mother, then taking private lessons from pianist F. Canille. And again, thanks to M.A. Balakirev, the organizer of the “Mighty Handful,” who introduced Rimsky-Korsakov into the musical community and influenced his work, the world did not lose a talented composer.

The central place in Rimsky-Korsakov's legacy is made up of operas - 15 works demonstrating the diversity of genre, stylistic, dramatic, compositional solutions composer, nevertheless having a special style - with all the richness of the orchestral component, the main ones are melodic vocal lines.

Two main directions distinguish the composer’s work: the first is Russian history, the second is the world of fairy tales and epics, for which he received the nickname “storyteller.”

In addition to direct independent creative activity N.A. Rimsky-Korsakov is known as a publicist, compiler of collections folk songs, in which he showed great interest, and also as a completer of the works of his friends - Dargomyzhsky, Mussorgsky and Borodin. Rimsky-Korsakov was the creator of a school of composition; as a teacher and director of the St. Petersburg Conservatory, he trained about two hundred composers, conductors, and musicologists, among them Prokofiev and Stravinsky.

Quote about the composer:“Rimsky-Korsakov was a very Russian man and a very Russian composer. I believe that this primordially Russian essence of it, its deep folklore-Russian basis should be especially appreciated today.” Mstislav Rostropovich

Fact about the composer: Nikolai Andreevich began his first counterpoint lesson like this:

- Now I will talk a lot, and you will listen very carefully. Then I will talk less, and you will listen and think, and finally, I will not speak at all, and you will think with your own head and work independently, because my task as a teacher is to become unnecessary to you...

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Many famous composers were also talented performers. For example, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Ludwig van Beethoven, Franz Liszt, Johannes Brahms, Frederic Chopin, Charles Valentin Alkan, Sergei Rachmaninov and other composers were virtuosos of piano playing.

Frederic Chopin (1810-1849)

M. Wodzinskaya “Portrait of Chopin”

Polish composer and virtuoso pianist.

Born in a town near Warsaw, as a result Napoleonic Wars this territory became part of the Russian Empire.

Already in his childhood, Chopin showed extraordinary musical abilities. Like Mozart, he amazed those around him with his musical “obsession”, extraordinary abilities for improvisation, and natural pianism. He was unusually receptive to music and impressionable: he could cry while listening to music, jump up at night to pick out a memorable melody or chord on the piano.

One Warsaw newspaper, in its January issue for 1818, published a few lines about the first musical play composed by a small composer: “The author of this “Polonaise” is a student who has not yet turned 8 years old. This is the real onegenius of music, with the greatest ease and exceptional taste. Performing the most difficult piano pieces and composing dances and variations that delight connoisseurs and connoisseurs. If this prodigy had been born in France or Germany, he would have attracted more attention."

In 1829, Chopin's artistic activity began. He performs in Vienna, Krakow, and Paris, performing his works. In 1830 he left Warsaw and, as it turned out, forever. An uprising began in Poland, which was soon suppressed, but for various reasons he was not able to return to his homeland, which he loved very much. He bequeathed that his heart be transported to Poland after his death. This will was fulfilled: his heart is kept in the Catholic Church of the Holy Cross in Warsaw.

Tomb with the heart of F. Chopin

The significance of F. Chopin's performing arts

Chopin is the author of numerous works for piano. He reinterpreted many genres: he revived the prelude on a romantic basis, created a piano ballad, poeticized and dramatized dances - mazurka, polonaise, waltz; turned the scherzo into an independent work. Enriched the harmony and piano texture; combined classical form with melodic richness and imagination.

His piano performance combined the depth and sincerity of feelings with elegance, technical perfection.

Sergei Vasilievich Rachmaninov (1873-1943)

Russian composer, outstanding virtuoso pianist, conductor. Born into a noble family in the Novgorod province.

Interest in music was discovered in early childhood. In the fall of 1882, Rachmaninov entered the junior department of the St. Petersburg Conservatory, but then was transferred to Moscow and accepted into the third year of the junior department of the Moscow Conservatory under Professor N.S. Zverev. He gained fame early as a composer, pianist and conductor. He performed in Italy, Germany, and in 1909 made a large concert tour of America and Canada, performing as a pianist and conductor. In 1917, he received an offer to perform a solo concert in Stockholm, then Norway and New York. He chose the USA as his place of permanent residence, toured a lot in America and Europe and was soon recognized one of the greatest pianists of his era and the greatest conductor.

During the Great Patriotic War Rachmaninov gave several concerts in the USA, all the proceeds from which he sent to the Red Army Fund. He donated the money collected from one of his concerts to the USSR Defense Fund with the words: “From one of the Russians, all possible assistance to the Russian people in their fight against the enemy. I want to believe, I believe in complete victory.” It is known that a combat aircraft was built for the needs of the army with the composer’s money.

The significance of S. Rachmaninov's performing arts

Rachmaninov the pianist has become a standard for many generations of pianists different countries and schools, he established the world priority of the Russian piano school, distinctive features which are:

1) deep content of performance;

2) attention to the intonation richness of music;

3) “singing on the piano” - imitation of vocal sound and vocal intonation using the piano.

Rachmaninov the pianist left reference recordings many works of world music, on which many generations of musicians study.

Sculptor Oleg Komov.Monument to Rachmaninoff in Moscow on Strastnoy Boulevard

Emil Gilels (1916-1985)

Russian Soviet pianist, one of greatest pianists of the 20th century.

Born in Odessa. He began playing the piano at the age of five and a half years. Having quickly achieved significant success, Gilels made his first public appearance in May 1929, performing works by F. Liszt, F. Chopin, D. Scarlatti and other composers. Fame came to the musician after his victory in 1933 at the First All-Union Competition of Performing Musicians, which was followed by numerous concerts throughout the USSR. During the Great Patriotic War, Gilels participated in military patronage work, and in the fall of 1943 he gave concerts in besieged Leningrad, after the end of the war he returned to active concert and teaching activities.

He often spoke with his younger sister, violinist Elizaveta Gilels. In 1950 he formed a piano trio together with L. B. Kogan (violin) and M. L. Rostropovich (cello), and in 1945 he gave concerts abroad for the first time (becoming one of the first Soviet musicians who were allowed to do so do), toured in Italy, Switzerland, France and Scandinavia. In 1954, he was the first Soviet musician to perform at the Pleyel Hall in Paris. In 1955, the pianist became the first Soviet musician to come with concerts to the USA, where he performed P. I. Tchaikovsky’s First Piano Concerto and Rachmaninov’s Third Concerto with the Philadelphia Orchestra conducted by Yu. Ormandy, and soon gave solo concert at Carnegie Hall, which was a huge success. In the 1960s and 1970s, Gilels was one of the most sought-after Soviet musicians in the world, spending about nine months a year at concerts and on foreign tours.

The significance of E. Gilels's performing arts

Gilels is one of the greatest musicians of the 20th century. The pianist's unusually wide repertoire covered piano works from the Baroque era (J. S. Bach, D. Scarlatti) to the music of the 20th century. The works of Beethoven were of particular importance in his work. Gilels repeatedly performed and recorded all of the composer's piano concertos, but did not have time to complete the work of recording all of his piano sonatas. His playing was distinguished by impeccable technique, brightness and strength of performance and at the same time deep lyricism and delicacy of interpretation, a subtle sense of style.

Van Cliburn (1934-2013)

American pianist first winner of the International Tchaikovsky Competition (1958). He received his first piano lessons at the age of three from his mother. When Cliburn was six years old, the family moved to Texas, where he won a competition at age thirteen and soon made his Carnegie Hall debut.

Cliburn's name gained worldwide fame after his sensational victory at the first International Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow in 1958. The young pianist won the sympathy of both the jury and the public. This was all the more surprising since the action took place at the height of " cold war"Upon returning to his homeland, Cliburn was given a magnificent, enthusiastic reception. The musician fell in love with the USSR and after the competition he repeatedly came to Russia with concerts.

Since 1962, the Van Cliburn Piano Competition has been held in Fort Worth, Texas.

International piano competitions

Currently, there are many international piano competitions:

International Piano Competition, Geneva (Switzerland);

International Piano Competition named after. I. Albeniz, Spain;

International competition named after. Brahms, Austria;

International Piano Competition, Sweden;

International Piano Competition named after. R. Schumana, Italy;

International Piano Competition, Japan;

International Piano Competition, Norway;

International Piano Competition named after. Queen Elizabeth, Belgium;

International Piano Competition named after. Van Cliburn, USA, Texas;

International Amateur Piano Competition, California, USA;

International Piano Competition “Clara-Haskil”, Switzerland;

International Competition for Young Pianists named after. F. Chopin, Australia;

International Piano Competition named after. Beethoven, Austria;

International Competition of Pianists and Piano Ensembles named after. F. Lista, USA;

International piano competition “Russian Season in Yekaterinburg” and many others.

At all these competitions, new talents and creative personalities are revealed, enriching performing skills.

Niccolo Paganini (1782-1840)

Italian composer, violinist and guitar virtuoso. One of the most bright personalities musical history of the 18th-19th centuries. Recognized genius of world musical art.

When the boy was five years old, his father, noticing his son’s abilities, began teaching him music, first on the mandolin, and from the age of six on the violin, although he himself was not a musician. According to the musician’s own recollections, his father severely punished him if he did not show proper diligence, and this subsequently affected his already poor health. However, Niccolo himself became more and more interested in the instrument and practiced diligently, hoping to find yet unknown combinations of sounds that would surprise listeners. As a child, he wrote several works for the violin, which were difficult, but he himself performed them successfully.

Niccolo gave his first public concert in 1795 at the Genoese Theater of Sant'Agostino. Using the techniques of the masters of the past, Paganini improved in the performance of transitions, staccato, pizzicato (including scales, simple and double trills and harmonics), unusual chords, dissonances, and strove for the correct extraction of sounds at the most high speed. He performed the exercises for many hours a day until he was completely exhausted. As a result of these studies, Paganini became unsurpassed violin virtuoso.

Gradually he developed his own performing style. His fame was brought to him by unusual look and behavior during concerts. The halls at his performances were filled not only with connoisseurs of high art, but also with the public, attracted by the external effects and incredible playing techniques that Paganini demonstrated. He behaved emphatically mysteriously and at first did not stop the most fantastic rumors about himself from being spread. One day at a concert, a violin string suddenly broke. Without stopping, Paganini continued the concert. He could play not only three, but also two, and even one string. So, while serving at the court of Eliza Bonaparte, he wrote and performed the play “ Love scene» for strings la And mi, and later, for the birthday of Emperor Napoleon - a sonata for strings salt"Napoleon".

His fame increased even more after traveling through Germany, France and England.

The significance of N. Paganini’s performing arts

Paganini's unsurpassed success lay not only in his musical talent, but also in his extraordinary technique, the impeccable purity with which he performed the most difficult passages, and the new possibilities of violin technique that he discovered. He was aware that the rich capabilities of the violin had not yet been fully realized. He used new effects in violin technique. Variety of colors, wide use of natural and artificial harmonics, rapid alternation of pizzicato with arco, skillful and varied use of staccato, wide use of double notes and chords, remarkable variety of bowing, string playing salt– all this surprised the audience, who had never heard such violin effects. Paganini was real virtuoso, who had a bright personality; he based his playing on original techniques, which he performed with infallible purity and confidence.

Paganini revealed the possibilities of the violin so widely that his contemporaries suspected that he possessed some special secret hidden from others. They even said about him that he sold his soul to the devil.

All violin art of subsequent eras developed under the influence of Paganini's style. His own compositions very difficult to perform; in order to perform them, you must master Paganini’s technical techniques.

But in our time there are many performers of Paganini’s level who successfully perform his First Concerto in D major, Second Concerto in B minor and 24 Caprices.

Paganini owned a precious collection of Stradivarius, Guarneri, Amati violins, of which he bequeathed his wonderful and most beloved and famous violin by Guarneri hometown Genoa, not wanting any other artist to play it.

David Oistrakh (1908-1974)

Soviet violinist, violist, conductor and teacher.

Born in Odessa. From the age of five he studied violin and viola. Graduated from the Odessa Conservatory. While still a student, he performed with the Odessa Symphony Orchestra as a soloist and as a conductor. In 1935, D. Oistrakh won the second All-Union Competition of Performing Musicians and in the same year received second prize at the International Wieniawski Competition. Two years later, Oistrakh wins the Eugene Ysaïe competition in Brussels and gains worldwide fame.

Since 1934, Oistrakh taught at the Moscow Conservatory, where among his students were his son Igor, winner of the First Tchaikovsky Competition Valery Klimov, Victor Pikaizen, Semyon Snitkovsky, Oleg Kagan, Mikhail Gotsdiner, Leonarda Brustein, Leonid Feigin, Liana Isakadze, Gidon Kremer, Oleg Krysa, Alexander Vinnitsky and other outstanding violinists. Oistrakh was the permanent chairman of the jury in the violin category at the first five Tchaikovsky competitions.

The significance of D. Oistrakh's performing arts

David Oistrakh is one of the most prominent representatives of the Russian violin school. His performance was different masterful use of the instrument, technical skill, bright and warm sound tool. His repertoire included classical and romantic works(Oistrakh’s performance of Beethoven’s violin sonatas together with pianist Lev Oborin is still considered one of the best interpretations of this cycle), but he also played works modern authors(Hindemith Violin Concerto). Works by S. Prokofiev, D. Shostakovich, N. Myaskovsky, M. Weinberg were dedicated to Oistrakh.

International violin competitions

International Violin Competition named after. D. Oistrakh, Moscow;

Michael Hill International Violin Competition, New Zealand;

International Violin Competition, Monaco;

International Violin Competition, Germany;

International Violin Competition, Japan;

International Violin Competition named after. F. Lista, Hungary;

Moscow International Violin Competition named after. Paganini;

International Joseph Joachim Violin Competition;

Moscow International Violin Competition named after. D. Oistrakh;

International Violin Competition named after. Wieniawski and others.

Mstislav Rostropovich (1927-2007)

He performed the entire repertoire of cello music. He inspired many major composers to create works with solo cello performances. About 60 modern composers dedicated their works to Rostropovich, among them Shostakovich, Britten, Bernstein.“I’m not playing sounds, but the emotions that the composer felt when he wrote his work. Sounds are nothing more than wires. And I get emotional from the very first note, as soon as the orchestra starts playing. In general, the secret of performance is when you seem to be composing music all over again,” he said.

Mstislav Leopoldovich Rostropovich forever entered the history of music as brilliant performer, true virtuoso cellos. His playing, always at the same time refined and emotional, brought him, without exaggeration, worldwide fame. “Furious Mstislav” was applauded by all the major concert halls and even squares, monarchs and presidents, musicians and actors, teachers and students were and remain his fans. But M. L. Rostropovich entered our memory not only through music: active civic position, patronage of the arts, interest and attention to the history of his family.

International Competition named after P. I. Tchaikovsky

This is an international competition of academic musicians, which has been held since 1958 every 4 years.

The first competition named after. Tchaikovsky was conducted in two specialties: piano And violin. From the second competition in 1962, it was introduced cello, from the third in 1966 - vocals.

The stages of the world's largest music centers open before the laureates of international classical music competitions.

The melodies and songs of the Russian people inspired the work of famous composers of the second half of the 19th century. Among them were P.I. Tchaikovsky, M.P. Mussorgsky, M.I. Glinka and A.P. Borodin. Their traditions were continued by a whole galaxy of outstanding musical figures. Russian composers of the 20th century are still popular.

Alexander Nikolaevich Scriabin

Creativity of A.N. Scriabin (1872 - 1915), a Russian composer and talented pianist, teacher, and innovator, cannot leave anyone indifferent. In his original and impulsive music, mystical moments are sometimes heard. The composer is attracted and attracted by the image of fire. Even in the titles of his works, Scriabin often repeats words such as fire and light. He tried to find the possibility of combining sound and light in his works.

The composer's father, Nikolai Alexandrovich Scriabin, was a famous Russian diplomat and active state councilor. Mother - Lyubov Petrovna Skryabina (nee Shchetinina), was known as a very talented pianist. She graduated with honors from the St. Petersburg Conservatory. Her professional career began successfully, but soon after the birth of her son she died of consumption. In 1878, Nikolai Alexandrovich completed his studies and received an appointment to the Russian embassy in Constantinople. The future composer's upbringing was continued by his close relatives - his grandmother Elizaveta Ivanovna, her sister Maria Ivanovna and his father's sister Lyubov Alexandrovna.

Despite the fact that at the age of five Scriabin mastered playing the piano, and a little later began to study musical compositions, according to family tradition, he received a military education. He graduated from the 2nd Moscow Cadet Corps. At the same time, he took private lessons in piano and music theory. Later he entered the Moscow Conservatory and graduated with a small gold medal.

At the beginning of his creative activity, Scriabin consciously followed Chopin and chose the same genres. However, even at that time his own talent had already emerged. At the beginning of the 20th century, he wrote three symphonies, then “Poem of Ecstasy” (1907) and “Prometheus” (1910). It is interesting that the composer supplemented the score of “Prometheus” with a light keyboard part. He was the first to use light music, the purpose of which is characterized by revealing music by the method of visual perception.

The composer's accidental death interrupted his work. He never realized his plan to create “Mystery” - a symphony of sounds, colors, movements, smells. In this work, Scriabin wanted to tell all of humanity his innermost thoughts and inspire them to create a new world, marked by the union of the Universal Spirit and Matter. His most significant works were only the preface to this grandiose project.

Famous Russian composer, pianist, conductor S.V. Rachmaninov (1873 - 1943) was born into a wealthy noble family. Rachmaninov's grandfather was a professional musician. His first piano lessons were given to him by his mother, and later they invited music teacher A.D. Ornatskaya. In 1885, his parents sent him to a private boarding school with the professor of the Moscow Conservatory N.S. Zverev. Order and discipline in educational institution had a significant influence on the formation of the future character of the composer. He later graduated from the Moscow Conservatory with a gold medal. While still a student, Rachmaninov was very popular among the Moscow public. He has already created his “First Piano Concerto”, as well as some other romances and plays. And his “Prelude in C sharp minor” became a very popular composition. Great P.I. Tchaikovsky drew attention to graduation work Sergei Rachmaninov - the opera “Oleko”, which he wrote under the impression of the poem by A.S. Pushkin "Gypsies". Pyotr Ilyich achieved its production in Bolshoi Theater, tried to help with the inclusion of this work in the theater’s repertoire, but unexpectedly died.

From the age of twenty, Rachmaninov taught at several institutes and gave private lessons. By invitation famous philanthropist, theatrical and musical figure Savva Mamontov, at the age of 24 the composer becomes the second conductor of the Moscow Russian private opera. There he became friends with F.I. Chaliapin.

Rachmaninov's career was interrupted on March 15, 1897 due to the non-acceptance of his innovative First Symphony by the St. Petersburg public. Reviews of this work were truly devastating. But the composer’s biggest disappointment was the negative review left by N.A. Rimsky-Korsakov, whose opinion Rachmaninov greatly valued. After this, he fell into a prolonged depression, which he managed to get out of with the help of hypnotist N.V. Dalia.

In 1901, Rachmaninov completed work on the Second Piano Concerto. And from this moment his active creative activity as a composer and pianist began. Rachmaninoff's unique style united Russians church hymns, romanticism and impressionism. He considered melody to be the main leading principle in music. This found its greatest expression in the author’s favorite work, the poem “Bells,” which he wrote for orchestra, choir and soloists.

At the end of 1917, Rachmaninov and his family left Russia, worked in Europe, and then went to America. The composer had a hard time with the break with his homeland. During the Great Patriotic War, he gave charity concerts, the proceeds of which he sent to the Red Army Fund.

Stravinsky's music is distinguished by its stylistic diversity. At the very beginning of his creative activity, it was based on Russian musical traditions. And then in the works one can hear the influence of neoclassicism, characteristic of the music of France of that period and dodecaphony.

Igor Stravinsky was born in Oranienbaum (now Lomonosov), in 1882. The father of the future composer Fyodor Ignatievich is a famous opera singer, one of the soloists Mariinsky Theater. His mother was pianist and singer Anna Kirillovna Kholodovskaya. From the age of nine, teachers taught him piano lessons. After graduating from high school, at the request of his parents, he entered the law faculty of the university. For two years, from 1904 to 1906, he took lessons from N.A. Rimsky-Korsakov, under whose guidance he wrote his first works - a scherzo, a piano sonata, and the suite “Faun and Shepherdess”. Sergei Diaghilev highly appreciated the composer's talent and offered him cooperation. The result of the joint work was three ballets (staged by S. Diaghilev) - “The Firebird”, “Petrushka”, “The Rite of Spring”.

Shortly before the First World War, the composer left for Switzerland, then to France. A new period begins in his work. He is studying musical styles XVIII century, writes the opera “Oedipus Rex”, music for the ballet “Apollo Musagete”. His author's handwriting changed several times over time. The composer lived in the USA for many years. His last famous work"Requiem". A special feature of the composer Stravinsky is the ability to constantly change styles, genres and musical directions.

Composer Prokofiev was born in 1891 in a small village in the Yekaterinoslav province. The world of music was opened to him by his mother, a good pianist who often performed works by Chopin and Beethoven. She became a real musical mentor for her son and, in addition, taught him German and French.

At the beginning of 1900, young Prokofiev managed to attend the ballet “The Sleeping Beauty” and listen to the operas “Faust” and “Prince Igor”. The impression received from the performances of Moscow theaters was expressed in his own creativity. He writes the opera "The Giant" and then the overture to " Deserted shores" The parents soon realize that they cannot continue teaching their son music. Soon the aspiring composer, at the age of eleven, was introduced to the famous Russian composer and teacher S.I. Taneyev, who personally asked R.M. Gliera to study musical composition with Sergei. S. Prokofiev passed the entrance exams to the St. Petersburg Conservatory at the age of 13. At the beginning of his career, the composer toured and performed a lot. However, his work caused misunderstanding among the public. This was due to the features of the works, which were expressed in the following:

• modernist style;
• destruction of established musical canons;
• extravagance and ingenuity of compositional techniques

In 1918, S. Prokofiev left and returned only in 1936. Already in the USSR, he wrote music for films, operas, and ballets. But after he was accused, along with a number of other composers, of “formalism”, he practically moved to live in the country, but continued to write musical works. His opera “War and Peace”, ballets “Romeo and Juliet”, “Cinderella” have become the property of world culture.

Russian composers of the 20th century, who lived at the turn of the century, not only preserved the traditions of the previous generation creative intelligentsia, but also created their own unique art, for which the works of P.I. remained models. Tchaikovsky, M.I. Glinka, N.A. Rimsky-Korsakov.

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 about it, 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 Vanessa Mae, 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 Benjamin Zander 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

First place deservedly belongs Johann Sebastian Bach. 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 combined different musical styles with which he became acquainted throughout his life. Often musical romanticism combined with the Baroque style. In 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

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart 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 music academies 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 attached special importance to opera. Operas Mozart- an era in the development of this type of musical art. Mozart widely recognized as one of the 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 of them. One of the most recognizable works - "Turkish March":

Ludwig van Beethoven

Another great German Ludwig van Beethoven was an important figure of the Romantic-Classical period. Even those who know nothing at all about classical music know about it. Beethoven is one of the most performed and respected composers in the world. Great composer witnessed the enormous 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 best pianists. Music Beethoven surprisingly simple and easy to understand wide circles 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 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). In 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

Austrian composer Franz Schubert - 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. Before 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 for 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

A German composer with an equally tragic fate Robert Schumann- one of best composers romantic era. He created music of amazing beauty. To get an idea of ​​German romanticism of the 19th century 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

Frederic Chopin is 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 their creativity Chopin more than once he glorifies his homeland, admires the beauty of the landscapes, laments the tragic past, 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. Works Chopin- 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 - "Ballad No. 1, G minor".