Classical musicians. The most famous composers: everyone should know this

The melodies and songs of the Russian people inspired the work of famous composers of the second half of XIX 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 Skryabin

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

The composer's father, Nikolai Alexandrovich Scriabin, was a well-known Russian diplomat, a real state adviser. Mother - Lyubov Petrovna Scriabina (nee Shchetinina), was known as a very talented pianist. She graduated with honors from the St. Petersburg Conservatory. Her professional activity began successfully, but shortly after the birth of her son, she died of consumption. In 1878, Nikolai Alexandrovich completed his studies and was assigned to the Russian embassy in Constantinople. The upbringing of the future composer was continued by his close relatives - grandmother Elizaveta Ivanovna, her sister Maria Ivanovna and 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, received 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 was already evident. At the beginning of the 20th century, he wrote three symphonies, then "The Poem of Ecstasy" (1907) and "Prometheus" (1910). Interestingly, 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 the disclosure of music by the method of visual perception.

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

Famous Russian composer, pianist, conductor S.V. Rachmaninov (1873 - 1943) was born into a wealthy noble family. Rachmaninoff's grandfather was a professional musician. The first piano lessons were given to him by his mother, and later they invited the music teacher A.D. Ornatskaya. In 1885, his parents assigned him to a private boarding school to the professor of the Moscow Conservatory N.S. Zverev. Order and discipline in educational institution had a significant impact 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, Rachmaninoff was very popular with 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 was written by him under the impression of the poem by A.S. Pushkin "Gypsies". Pyotr Ilyich succeeded in staging it in Bolshoi Theater, tried to help with the inclusion of this work in the repertoire of the theater, but died unexpectedly.

From the age of twenty, Rachmaninov taught at several institutes, gave private lessons. At the invitation of a well-known philanthropist, theater 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 rejection of his innovative First Symphony by the St. Petersburg public. Reviews for this work were truly devastating. But the composer was most upset by the negative review left by N.A. Rimsky-Korsakov, whose opinion Rachmaninoff greatly appreciated. After that, he fell into a protracted depression, from which he managed to get out with the help of a hypnotist N.V. Dahl.

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

At the end of 1917, Rachmaninoff left Russia with his family, worked in Europe, and then left for America. The composer was very upset by the break with the Motherland. During the Great Patriotic War he gave charity concerts, the proceeds of which were sent to the Red Army Fund.

Stravinsky's music is notable for its stylistic diversity. At the very beginning of his creative activity, she 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 the city of 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 completing the gymnasium, at the request of his parents, he enters the law faculty of the university. For two years, from 1904 to 1906, he took lessons from N.A. Rimsky-Korsakov, under whose leadership he wrote the first works - the scherzo, the piano sonata, the Faun and the Shepherdess suite. Sergei Diaghilev highly appreciated the composer's talent and offered him cooperation. The joint work resulted in 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 handwriting has changed several times over time. For many years the composer lived in the USA. Last it famous work"Requiem". A 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 for him by his mother, a good pianist who often performed works by Chopin and Beethoven. She also 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 Sleeping Beauty ballet and listen to the operas Faust and Prince Igor. The impression received from the performances of Moscow theaters was expressed in own creativity. He writes the opera "The Giant", and then the overture to "Desert Shores". Parents soon realize that they can no longer teach their son music. Soon, at the age of eleven, the novice composer was introduced to the famous Russian composer and teacher S.I. Taneyev, who personally asked R.M. Gliera to do with Sergey musical composition. S. Prokofiev at the age of 13 passed the entrance exams to the St. Petersburg Conservatory. At the beginning of his career, the composer toured and performed extensively. 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 inventiveness of composing techniques

In 1918, S. Prokofiev left and returned only in 1936. Already in the USSR, he wrote music for films, operas, 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", the ballets "Romeo and Juliet", "Cinderella" became 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 of the creative intelligentsia, but also created their own, unique art, for which the works of P.I. Tchaikovsky, M.I. Glinka, N.A. Rimsky-Korsakov.

1. "Symphony No. 5", Ludwig van Beethoven

According to legend, Beethoven (1770-1827) could not come up with an introduction to Symphony No. 5 for a long time. But when he lay down to take a nap, he heard a knock on the door, and the rhythm of this knock became an introduction to this work. Interestingly, the first notes of the symphony correspond to the number 5, or V in Morse code.

2. O Fortuna, Carl Orff

Composer Carl Orff (1895-1982) is best known for this dramatic vocal cantata. It is based on the 13th century poem "Carmina Burana". It is one of the most frequently performed classical pieces around the world.

3. Hallelujah Chorus, Georg Friedrich Handel

Georg Friedrich Handel (1685-1759) wrote the oratorio Messiah in 24 days. Many melodies, including "Hallelujah", were later borrowed from this work and began to be performed as independent works. According to legend, Handel had music in his head played by angels. The text of the oratorio is based on biblical stories, Handel reflected the life, death and resurrection of Christ.

4. Ride of the Valkyries, Richard Wagner

This composition is taken from the opera "Valkyrie", which is part of the series of operas "Ring of the Nibelungen" by Richard Wagner (1813-1883). The opera "Valkyrie" is dedicated to the daughter of the god Odin. Wagner spent 26 years composing this opera, and this is only the second part of a grandiose masterpiece of four operas.

5. Toccata and Fugue in D Minor, Johann Sebastian Bach

This is probably Bach's (1685-1750) most famous work and is often used in films during dramatic scenes.

6. Little Night Music by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Ludwig van Beethoven

Ludwig van Beethoven- The greatest composer of the early 19th century. Requiem and Moonlight Sonata immediately recognizable by anyone. The immortal works of the composer have always been and will be popular because of the unique style of Beethoven.

- German composer of the 18th century. No doubt the founder contemporary music. His works were based on the versatility of harmonies of various instruments. He created the rhythm of music, so his works are easily amenable to modern instrumental processing.

- The most popular and understandable Austrian composer of the late 18th century. All his works are simple and ingenious. They are very melodic and pleasant. A little serenade, a thunderstorm and many other compositions in rock arrangement will have a special place in your collection.

- Austrian composer of the late 18th, early 19th century. Truly classical composer. The violin for Haydn was in a special place. In almost all the works of the composer, she is the soloist. Very beautiful and captivating music.

- Italian composer of the first half of the 18th century No. 1. National temperament and a new approach to arrangement literally blew up Europe in the middle of the 18th century. The symphonies "The Seasons" are calling card composer.

- Polish composer of the 19th century. According to some information, the founder of the combined genre of concert and folk music. His polonaises and mazurkas blend seamlessly with orchestral music. The only drawback in the composer's work was considered too soft style (lack of strong and incendiary motives).

- German composer of the late 19th century. He was spoken of as the great romantic of his time, and his "German Requiem" eclipsed other works of his contemporaries with its popularity. The style in Brahms' music is qualitatively different from the styles of other classics.

- Austrian composer of the early 19th century. One of the greatest composers unrecognized during his lifetime. A very early death at 31 prevented the full development of Schubert's potential. The songs he wrote were the main source of income when the greatest symphonies were gathering dust on the shelves. Only after the death of the composer, the works were highly appreciated by critics.

- Austrian composer of the late 19th century. Ancestor of waltzes and marches. We say Strauss - we mean waltz, we say waltz - we mean Strauss. Johann Jr. grew up in the family of his father, a composer. Strauss senior treated the works of his son with disdain. He believed that his son was engaged in nonsense and therefore humiliated him in every way in the world. But Johann Jr. stubbornly continued to do what he loved, and the revolution and the march written by Strauss in her honor proved the genius of his son in the eyes of European high society.

- One of the greatest composers of the 19th century. Maitre operatic art. "Aida" and "Otello" by Verdi are extremely popular today thanks to the true talent of the Italian composer. The tragic loss of his family at the age of 27 crippled the composer, but he did not give up and delved into creativity, writing several operas at once in a short time. High society highly appreciated Verdi's talent and his operas were staged in the most prestigious theaters in Europe.

- Even at the age of 18, this talented italian composer wrote several operas that became very popular. The crown of his creation was the revised play "The Barber of Seville". After its presentation to the public, Gioachino was literally carried in his arms. The success was intoxicating. After that, Rossini became a welcome guest in high society and gained a solid reputation.

- German composer of the early 18th century. One of the founders of opera and instrumental music. In addition to writing operas, Handel also wrote music for the "people", which was very popular in those days. Hundreds of songs and dance melodies of the composer thundered in the streets and squares in those distant times.

- Polish prince and composer - self-taught. Having no musical education, he became a famous composer. His famous polonaise is known all over the world. At the time of the composer, a revolution was taking place in Poland, and the marches written by him became the hymns of the rebels.

- Jewish composer, born in Germany. His wedding March and "Dream in midsummer night"have been popular for more than one hundred years. The symphonies and compositions written by him are successfully perceived all over the world.

- German composer of the 19th century. His mystically - anti-Semitic idea of ​​the superiority of the Aryan race over other races was adopted by the Nazis. Wagner's music is very different from the music of his predecessors. It is aimed primarily at connecting man and nature with an admixture of mysticism. His famous operas"Rings of the Nibelungs" and "Tristan and Isolde" - confirm the revolutionary spirit of the composer.

- French composer mid 19th century. Creator of Carmen. From birth he was a brilliant child and at the age of 10 he already entered the conservatory. Behind short life(died before the age of 37) wrote dozens of operas and operettas, various orchestral works and ode symphonies.

- Norwegian composer - lyricist. His works are simply saturated with melody. During his life he wrote a large number of songs, romances, suites and sketches. His composition "The Cave of the Mountain King" is very often used in cinema and modern stage.

- An American composer of the early 20th century - the author of "Rhapsody in Blues", which is especially popular to this day. At 26, he was already Broadway's first composer. Gershwin's popularity quickly spread throughout America, thanks to numerous songs and popular shows.

- Russian composer. His opera "Boris Godunov" is the hallmark of many theaters in the world. The composer in his works relied on folklore considering folk music as the music of the soul. "Night on Bald Mountain" by Modest Petrovich is one of the ten most popular symphonic sketches in the world.

The most popular and greatest composer of Russia, of course, is. " Swan Lake"and "Sleeping Beauty", "Slavic March" and "The Nutcracker", "Eugene Onegin" and " Queen of Spades". These and many more masterpieces musical art were created by our Russian composer. Tchaikovsky is the pride of Russia. All over the world they know "Balalaika", "Matryoshka", "Tchaikovsky"...

- Soviet composer. Stalin's favorite. The opera "The Tale of a Real Man" was strongly recommended to listen to Mikhail Zadornov. But mostly Sergey Sergeyevich has serious and profound works. "War and Peace", "Cinderella", "Romeo and Juliet", a lot of brilliant symphonies and works for orchestra.

- Russian composer who created his own inimitable style in music. He was a deeply religious person and a special place in his work was given to writing religious music. Rachmaninov also wrote a lot of concert music and several symphonies. His last work "Symphonic Dances" is recognized as the greatest work of the composer.

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 the beautiful, and just cheer yourself up. Just think about it, classical works were created by brilliant authors so long ago that it is hard to believe that something can survive so many years. And these works are still loved and listened to, they create arrangements and modern interpretations. Even in modern processing, works brilliant composers remain classical music. As Vanessa Mae admits, classics are genius, and all genius 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 fans. classical music worldwide. If you are still in doubt if you love classical music, then you need to meet Benjamin Zander and you will see that in fact, you are already a longtime fan of beautiful music.

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

Johann Sebastian Bach

The first place is deservedly 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 over 1000 essays. In his works Bach combined different musical styles with which he met throughout his life. Often musical romanticism combined with the Baroque style. In life Johann Bach as a composer not receiving the recognition he deserved, interest in his music arose almost 100 years after his death. Today he is called one of the greatest composers ever living on earth. His uniqueness as a person, teacher and musician was reflected in his music. Bach laid the foundations of modern and contemporary music, dividing the history of music into pre-Bach and post-Bach. It is believed that music Bach gloomy and gloomy. His music is rather fundamental and solid, restrained and concentrated. Like the reflections of a mature, wise person. Creation Bach influenced many composers. Some of them took an example 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 notorious works "Brandenburg Concerts"- excellent proof that music Bach cannot be considered too gloomy:

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart rightfully considered a genius. At the age of 4, he already played the violin and harpsichord freely, at the age of 6 he began to compose music, and at 7 he already skillfully improvised on the harpsichord, violin and organ, competing with famous musicians. Already at the age of 14 Mozart- a recognized composer, and at the age of 15 - a member of the music academies of Bologna and Verona. By nature, he had a phenomenal ear for music, memory and the ability to improvise. He created an amazing number of works - 23 operas, 18 sonatas, 23 piano concertos, 41 symphonies and much more. The composer didn't want to imitate, he tried to create a new model, reflecting the new personality of the music. It is no coincidence that music in Germany Mozart called "the music of the soul", in his works the composer showed the features of his sincere, loving nature. The greatest melodist attached special importance to the opera. operas Mozart- an epoch 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 in all achieved the highest success. 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 about classical music know about him. Beethoven is one of the most performed and respected composers in the world. Great composer witnessed the grandiose upheavals that occurred in Europe and redrawn its map. These great coups, revolutions and military confrontations are reflected in the composer's work, especially symphonic. He embodied in music pictures of the heroic struggle. In immortal works Beethoven you will hear the struggle for freedom and brotherhood of people, unshakable faith in the victory of light over darkness, as well as dreams of freedom and happiness of mankind. One of the most famous and amazing facts of his life is that the ear disease developed into complete deafness, but despite this, the composer continued to write music. He was also considered one of best pianists. Music Beethoven surprisingly simple and accessible to the understanding of the most broad circles listeners. Generations change, and even eras, and music Beethoven still excites and pleases the hearts of people. One of his the best works - "Moonlight Sonata":

Richard Wagner

With the name of a 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 musical era opera. The composer tried to bring the opera closer to life, music for him is only a means. Richard Wagner- the creator of musical drama, the reformer of operas and the art of conducting, the innovator of the harmonic and melodic language of music, the creator of new forms musical expressiveness. Wagner- the author of the longest solo aria in the world (14 minutes 46 seconds) and the longest in the world 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 at the same time. Mystical symbolism and anti-Semitism made him Hitler's favorite composer, but blocked the way for his music to Israel. However, neither supporters nor opponents of the composer deny his greatness as a composer. Great music from the very beginning Richard Wagner absorbs you without a trace, 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 over 600 compositions, based on poems by over 100 great poets, including Goethe, Schiller and Shakespeare. That's why Franz Schubert in the top 10. Although creativity Schubert very diverse, in terms of the use of genres, ideas and reincarnations, vocal-song lyrics prevail and determine in his music. Before Schubert the song was considered an insignificant genre, and it was he who elevated it to the degree of artistic perfection. Moreover, he combined seemingly unconnected song and chamber-symphonic music, which gave rise to a new direction of lyrical-romantic symphony. Vocal-song lyrics are a world of simple and deep, subtle and even intimate human experiences, expressed not by words, but by sound. Franz Schubert lived very short life, just 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 the closest people did not know everything that he wrote, and for for long years he was recognized mainly only as the king of song. Some of the composer's works were published only half a century after his death. One of the most beloved and famous works Franz Schubert - "Evening Serenade":

Robert Schumann

With no less tragic fate German composer Robert Schumann- one of the best composers of the romantic era. He created amazingly beautiful music. To get an idea of ​​19th-century German Romanticism, just listen to "Carnival" Robert Schumann. He was able to break out of 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 could not decide between music, poetry, journalism and philology (he was a polyglot and freely translated from English, French and Italian). He was also an amazing pianist. And yet the main vocation and passion Schuman there was music. His poetic and deeply psychological music largely reflects the duality of the composer's nature, an outburst of passion and a retreat into the world of dreams, awareness of the vulgar reality and striving for the ideal. One of the masterpieces Robert Schumann which everyone needs to hear:

Frederic Chopin

Frederic Chopin, perhaps the most famous Pole in the world of music. Neither before nor after the composer was a musical genius of this level born in Poland. The Poles are incredibly proud of their great compatriot, and in their work Chopin more than once glorifies the motherland, admires the beauty of landscapes, laments the tragic past, dreams of a great future. Frederic Chopin- one of the few composers who wrote music exclusively for the piano. In his creative heritage there are no operas or symphonies, but piano pieces are presented in all their diversity. Artworks Chopin- the basis of the repertoire of many famous pianists. Frederic Chopin- 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, in G minor".

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. Vodzinskaya "Portrait of Chopin"

Polish composer and virtuoso pianist.

Born in a place near Warsaw, following the results of the Napoleonic Wars, this territory was ceded to the Russian Empire.

Already in childhood, Chopin showed extraordinary musical ability. Like Mozart, he impressed 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 up a memorable melody or chord on the piano.

One Warsaw newspaper in the January issue of 1818 placed a few lines about the first musical piece composed by a small composer: “The author of this Polonaise is a student who has not yet turned 8 years old. This is realmusical genius, with the greatest ease and exceptional taste. He performs the most difficult piano pieces and composes dances and variations that delight connoisseurs and connoisseurs. If this child prodigy had been born in France or Germany, he would have drawn more attention to himself.

Since 1829, Chopin's artistic activity began. He performs in Vienna, Krakow, 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 did not manage to return to his homeland, which he loved very much. He bequeathed that his heart after death was transported to Poland. This testament was fulfilled: his heart is kept in the Catholic Church of the Holy Cross in Warsaw.

Tomb with the heart of F. Chopin

The value of the performing arts of F. Chopin

Chopin is the author of numerous works for piano. He interpreted many genres in a new way: 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 harmony and piano texture; combined classic form with melodic richness and fantasy.

In his piano performance, the depth and sincerity of feelings were combined with elegance and technical excellence.

Sergei Vasilyevich Rachmaninov (1873-1943)

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

Interest in music was found in early childhood. In the autumn 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 to Professor N.S. Zverev. Early gained fame as a composer, pianist and conductor. He performed in Italy, Germany, in 1909 he made a large concert tour of America and Canada, acting as a pianist and conductor. In 1917 he received an offer to give a solo concert in Stockholm, then there was Norway and New York. He chose the United States as his permanent residence, toured a lot in America and Europe and was soon recognized one of the greatest pianists his era and major conductor.

During the Great Patriotic War, Rachmaninoff gave several concerts in the United States, the entire collection of money from which he sent to the Red Army fund. He donated the money 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 struggle 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 value of S. Rachmaninov's performing arts

Rachmaninoff the pianist has become a benchmark for many generations of pianists different countries and schools, he approved the world priority of the Russian piano school, hallmarks which are:

1) deep content of performance;

2) attention to the intonation richness of music;

3) "singing on the piano" - imitation of vocal sounding and vocal intonation by means of the piano.

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

Sculptor Oleg Komov.Monument to Rachmaninov 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. Having quickly achieved significant success, Gilels first appeared in public 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, 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 performed with his younger sister, violinist Elizaveta Gilels. In 1950 he formed a piano trio 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 the Scandinavian countries. 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 to the USA with concerts, where he performed Tchaikovsky's First Piano Concerto and Rachmaninoff's Third Concerto with the Philadelphia Orchestra conducted by Y. 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 foreign tours.

The value of the performing arts of E. Gilels

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. Of particular importance in his work were the works of Beethoven. Gilels repeatedly performed and recorded all of the composer's piano concertos, but did not have time to complete the work on recording all of his piano sonatas. His playing was distinguished by impeccable technique, brightness and power 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 years at his mother. When Cliburn was six years old, the family moved to Texas, where he won a competition at the age of thirteen, and soon made his debut at Carnegie Hall.

Cliburn's name gained world fame after a sensational victory at the first International Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow in 1958. The young pianist won the sympathy of both the jury members and the public. This was all the more surprising given that the action took place at the height of the 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.

The Van Cliburn Piano Competition has been held in Fort Worth, Texas since 1962.

International Piano Competitions

There are currently many international competitions pianists:

International Piano Competition, Geneva (Switzerland);

International Piano Competition. I. Albeniz, Spain;

International Competition. Brahms, Austria;

International Piano Competition, Sweden;

International Piano Competition. R. Schuman, Italy;

International Piano Competition, Japan;

International Piano Competition, Norway;

International Piano Competition. Queen Elizabeth, Belgium;

International Piano Competition. Van Cliburn, USA, Texas;

International Amateur Piano Competition, California, USA;

International Piano Competition Clara-Haskil, Switzerland;

International competition for young pianists. F. Chopin, Australia;

International Piano Competition. Beethoven, Austria;

International competition of pianists and piano ensembles. F. List, USA;

International Piano Competition "Russian Season in Yekaterinburg" and many others.

At all these competitions, new talents and creative personalities enriching performance skills.

Niccolo Paganini (1782-1840)

Italian composer, violinist and virtuoso guitarist. One of the most bright personalities musical history of the XVIII-XIX centuries. Recognized genius of the world musical art.

When the boy was five years old, his father, noticing his son's abilities, began to teach 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 memoirs of the musician himself, his father severely punished him if he did not show due 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 as yet unknown combinations of sounds that would surprise listeners. As a child, he wrote several works for the violin, which were difficult, but he successfully performed them himself.

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, strove for the correct extraction of sounds at the very high speed. He practiced the exercises for many hours a day until he was completely exhausted. As a result of these studies, Paganini became unsurpassed virtuoso violinist.

Gradually, he developed his own performing style. He became famous for his unusual appearance and behavior during concerts. The halls at his performances were filled not only by connoisseurs high art, but also the public, attracted by the external effects and incredible playing techniques that Paganini demonstrated. He kept himself emphatically mysterious and at first did not stop the spread of the most fantastic rumors about himself. Once at a concert, a string on the violin suddenly burst. Without stopping, Paganini continued the concert. He could play not only on three, but also on two, and even on 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, on the birthday of Emperor Napoleon - a sonata for strings salt"Napoleon".

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

The value of the performing arts of N. Paganini

Paganini's unsurpassed success lay not only in his musical talent, but also in his extraordinary technique, in the impeccable purity with which he performed the most difficult passages, and in the new possibilities of violin technique discovered by him. He was aware that the rich means of the violin were not yet 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 use of the bow, performance on the string 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 played 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. It was 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 are very difficult to perform; in order to perform them, one must master Paganini's technical techniques.

But in our time there are quite a few performers of the level of Paganini who successfully perform his First Concerto in D major, Second Concerto in B minor and 24 Caprices.

Paganini possessed a precious collection of Stradivari, 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 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 the second prize at the Venyavsky International Competition. Two years later, Oistrakh won the Eugene Ysaye competition in Brussels and gained 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 Brushtain, Leonid Feigin, Liana Isakadze, Gidon Kremer, Oleg Krysa, Alexander Vinnitsky and other prominent violinists. Oistrakh was the permanent chairman of the jury in the nomination "violin" at the first five competitions named after P. I. Tchaikovsky.

The value of the performing arts of D. Oistrakh

David Oistrakh is one of the most prominent representatives of the national violin school. His performance was different. mastery 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 by contemporary authors (Hindemith's Violin Concerto). Oistrakh was dedicated to the works of S. Prokofiev, D. Shostakovich, N. Myaskovsky, M. Weinberg.

International violin competitions

International Violin Competition. 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. F. Liszt, Hungary;

Moscow International Violin Competition. Paganini;

Josef Joachim International Violin Competition;

Moscow International Violin Competition. D. Oistrakh;

International Violin Competition. Venyavsky and others.

Mstislav Rostropovich (1927-2007)

He performed the entire repertoire of cello music. He inspired many major composers to create works with solo performances on the cello. About 60 contemporary composers devoted their works to Rostropovich, among them Shostakovich, Britten, Bernstein.“After all, I am not playing sounds, but the emotions that the composer felt when he wrote his composition. Sounds are nothing more than wires. And I turn on emotions from the first note, as soon as the orchestra begins to sound. In general, the secret of performance is when you seem to compose music again, ”he said.

Mstislav Leopoldovich Rostropovich entered the history of music forever as brilliant performer, true virtuoso cellos. His game, always both polished and emotional, brought him, without exaggeration, worldwide fame. "Frantic Mstislav" was applauded by all the major concert halls and even squares, its fans were and remain monarchs and presidents, musicians and actors, teachers and students. But M. L. Rostropovich entered our memory not only with music: active civic position, patronage, interest and attention to the history of his family.

International Tchaikovsky Competition

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

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

Stages of the largest music centers peace.