Romances of Alyabyev
Did Alexander Alyabyev know that just one romance would bring him worldwide fame and immortality? This, of course, is about the famous “Nightingale”, which was so much loved by a wide audience that it even continued in the composition “Farewell to the Nightingale”. The number of transcriptions and author's readings of this famous romance is simply not to be considered; verses are dedicated to him, he is still listened to and praised all over the world.
Vocal creativity of the composer
Despite the vast creative heritage, the vocal lyrics were the real elements of the composer. It was here that he showed his talent to a greater degree, because already in mature compositions Alyabyev appears to the public as a musician with a very bright personality. It is safe to say that Alexander Alexandrovich is one of the most talented and famous composers of the first half of the XIX century. At this time, his chamber-vocal work was on top of popularity.
Why exactly romance? The fact is that this particular genre of music was most convenient for reflecting ideas and evaluating events. The text and miniature made it available to any listener. In addition, it was the vocal creativity that became for Alexander Alexandrovich a kind of laboratory in which he was engaged in the search for the latest expressive techniques and means, in the search for himself.
The composer wrote his first romance back in 1810, but only an essay dating back to 1815 reached us - this is a hussar song "One more day"It is curious that in the manuscript, which was more like a sketch, the accompaniment was not recorded everywhere. At that time, none of the composers of the period had declared itself. The famous Verstovsky did not even begin composing, and N. Titov presented his first works only in 1820 not to mention M. Glinka, A. Varlamov and A. Gurilev.
Subsequently, his autobiographical features were more pronounced in his chamber-vocal lyrics. The works were imbued with the motives of suffering, loneliness and homesickness.
History and content
The first half of the XIX century was marked by a rapid growth of interest in chamber-vocal music, especially the development of the Russian romance. Contributed to this influence of sentimentalism and romanticism on the work of musicians. The composer widely uses texts of sentimentalists in his works. This is especially noticeable on the example of the musical and literary language of the romances of Alyabyev "Fidelity to the grave"and"Traveler"written in 1818. In later years, the composer continues to refer to the poetry of sentimentalists, for example, in a romance"I see a butterfly flying"written on verses by P. Shalikov (1823) or writing to the words of Delvig"Lonely month sailed"(1839).
However, proximity to sentimentalism is characteristic only of the early works of the composer, because by the 1820s, romanticism has a firm place in his work, forcing out everything else. This is especially noticeable in his romances written in 1829 and 1830: "Circassian song"on Pushkin's verses,"Coffin"(verses by P. Obodovsky),"Irtysh"(I. Vetter).
"Circassian song" is endowed with the main signs of romanticism, which can be found both in the text itself and in the musical language. In A. Pushkin's poem, the main character is a typical romantic character, an exile. Also in the text there are images of a turbulent flow, an appeal to the exotic - to the nature of the Caucasus and otherworldly. In the musical language there is no direct use of Caucasian folk songs, but the composer very precisely conveyed the mood itself, using the expressive means of music. Thus, the words "Chechen walks across the river" are reinforced by the organ point in the bass sounding this time.
Romance "The Coffin" is similar to the "Thinker" Franz Liszt. Alyabyev also uses the rhythm of the procession. Strengthens tension and prevalence of low registers in musical fabric.
Alexander Alexandrovich always sought to achieve a close relationship between music and literary text. This trend is observed in many of his works. For example, in the romance "Irtysh" or "I loved you"The last of them, researchers often compare with the writings of B. Sheremetyev and A. Dargomyzhsky. Each of these composers differently emphasizes the line" I loved you. "If Dargomyzhsky puts a strong share at the beginning of tact, highlighting the initial "I", then Alyabiev emphasizes the word "You", endowing this phrase with a slightly different meaning.
Since 1827, Alyabyev paid special attention to the romance lyric poetry. It was during this period that the greatest number of works in the genre of chamber-vocal lyricism appeared. In the works of this period new plots, stylistic features appear. The composer expands the range of topics for his compositions. Most likely, the link to which he was sent in 1828 contributed to this. The second factor was the emergence in the 1840s of a new movement in literature, in which sharp social themes and satire came to the fore. Alyabyev directs his attention precisely to a social theme for romances.
Anticipating the chamber-vocal work of his follower Dargomyzhsky, Alyabyev includes the theme of social inequality in his romances. Many of these works were written on the verses of N. Ogarev "Kabak", "Hut", "Village Watchman"It is interesting what means Alyabyev uses in these works for the" image "of what is happening. In the Kabak romance, the content is expressed through dance and this is not a waltz at all, as was customary. Alyabyev chooses a very unusual dance - dance, which brings him closer to the images Mussorgsky. A similar example is already found in his work earlier. In 1833, Alyabyev also uses dance in the romance "Alas, why does she shine" lyrics by А.S. Pushkin.
"Nightingale" - the creation of a masterpiece
When choosing poetic lines for his romances and songs, Alyabyev always showed particular demands, paying close attention to the semantic load of the text. Creativity of some poets, he always singled out in a special way. For example, Delvig's poetry attracted him for its purity, slimness, melodiousness and, most importantly, musicality. Alyabyev wrote many beautiful romances to the poems of this poet, but one of them stands out in particular, which has become a real masterpiece of world music. It's about romance "Nightingale". Very soon he gained national recognition and love, moreover, he steadfastly withstood the test of time and did not lose the impact force until now, thanks to his sincerity and fresh lyrics.
"Nightingale" - listen
The origins of the "Nightingale" Delvig go back centuries, because in the popular poetic tradition the image of the nightingale was widely revealed as a true friend, advisor. In folklore, he represented a symbol of responsiveness and empathy towards another's grief. Moreover, this image (of a wanderer, singer of love) was once sung by many famous poets and composers.
The premiere of the romance took place on January 7, 1827 at the Bolshoi Theater. It was performed by the popular vocalist PA at that time. Bulakhov. We can assume that it was from that day that the extraordinary popularity of the work began. Literally in the near future, the Nightingale performed at various concerts not only in the provinces, but also in the capitals.
Researchers of Alyabyev's creativity call various dates for writing the romance itself, it is only known that it was created during the three-year imprisonment of the composer.
In the romance, Alyabyev's melodic gift found a very rich and brightest expression. A surprisingly plastic melody (with soft intonations) is interwoven with an active chant. All this makes the composition even more expressive and poetic. It focuses the main features of the Russian romance. The melody of the composition is noticeably distinguished by the breadth of the soul, the chanting, softness and tenderness. At the same time she has amazing integrity, unity and concentration. The musical appearance of the melody is uniquely peculiar, making it simply impossible to confuse it with any other work. In the music of the romance, very precisely the modal variability is transmitted: "My nightingale, the nightingale" begins in D minor and right there in the next phrase the F-major major passage "The Nightingale Nightingale".
For all the time the romance of Alyabyev "The Nightingale" was subjected to an uncountable number of arrangements and treatments. Even the composer himself made several treatments of the composition: for a voice with a chorus and an orchestra, and a choir. In the famous Third Quartet, Aleksandr Aleksandrovich used variations on the theme "The Nightingale" in the slow part.
M. Glinka several times in his work appealed to this romance. While in Berlin in 1833, he wrote variations for piano on the theme “Nightingale”, and after 23 years, arrangements were made for voice and orchestra.
Franz Liszt also paid attention to the "Nightingale" when he was in St. Petersburg in 1842. The Hungarian master of paraphrase composed a piano transcription, which immediately gained extraordinary popularity not only in Russia, but also abroad.
Famous P.I. Chaikovsky He repeatedly said that his childhood memories are closely connected with the romance of Alyabyev and he preserved his love for this work throughout his life. Moreover, he admitted that he could not listen to this work without tears.
Interesting Facts
- The well-known Soviet musicologist B. Steinpress wrote that with his romance works Alyabyev had laid a wide road across the country.
- At the time of exile the works of Alyabiev were printed under the name "Northern singer".
- From the age of 14, Aleksandr Aleksandrovich studied music from the famous teacher I. Miller, who taught many famous musicians.
- The fate of the composer, who was unjustly accused, is very dramatic and sad. It literally divided his life into two contrasting periods. It left an imprint on his work.
- In the 1810s, Alyabyev wrote his first compositions (plays, vocal works and string quartet) and they became the first examples of Russian chamber-instrumental music.
- The greatest response from the young composer was caused by the poetry of V. Zhukovsky, then he was attracted by the works of A. Pushkin, A. Delvig and N. Ogarev.
- The famous romance "The Nightingale" was published in 1843, 16 years after the premiere at the Bolshoi Theater.
- The text of the song "Nightingale" was written on behalf of the girl, but it is widely performed by men. It is known that for the first time he was executed by the representative of the opposite sex - P. Bulakhov.
- In 1812, Alyabyev took part in hostilities, fighting along with the famous Denis Davydov. He was awaited for a brilliant military career, but he preferred to return to art.
- Asafiev spoke of Aleksandr Aleksandrovich as a very sensitive and gifted lyric, whose romances are a significant experience of romantic lyricism.
- The meeting and subsequent friendship with the famous composer A. Verstovsky, who only began to compose music in the 20s, was very important for the work of Alyabyev. Throughout the life of Alexander Alexandrovich this friendship lasted. It is thanks to his friend, he drew attention to theatrical genres and began working on operas and vaudeville. Some of them Alyabyev composed conscientiously with Verstovsky.
- Another significant work by Alyabyev is called the collection “Voices of Ukrainian Songs”, which he compiled and recorded together with the famous Ukrainian researcher M. Maksimovich. This publication has played a crucial role in the development of music in Ukraine as a whole.
- A long time ago, researchers argued who owns the text of the song "Farewell to the Nightingale." So, he was mistakenly attributed to Delwig. However, it became known that in fact the poem was written by N. Kashintsov, who specially composed his work in imitation of the fellow poet Delvig.
Alyabyev's creative way
The work of Alyabiev is very extensive and contains several hundred works - these are instrumental compositions, operas, dance music, vocal and music for performances. Chamber-instrumental music and compositions for choir are widely represented. Alyabyev was written about 200 songs and romances. It is known that at the time of exile the composer paid special attention to vocal and orchestral and symphonic works. Researchers of Alyabyev's creativity note that it was during this period of time that he emerged as a major symphonist. These years are also marked by the new creative quest of the composer, especially his interest in the work of the peoples of Russia.
The extensive creative heritage of Alyabiev was united thanks to some common features. So, in his writings reflected the way of life. It is curious that in the scores the researchers revealed the use of various performing structures: theatrical genres related to life in the capital, choirs from times of church repentance, concert orchestral music from being in Siberia, chamber works (performed by friends in Orenburg). Especially indicative is the "geography" of his travels in vocal opuses. In particular, Alyabyev actively used Bashkir, Kyrgyz, and Caucasian folklore in folk song themes (periods of his life in Siberia, and then in the Caucasus).
In the work of Alexander Alexandrovich revealed his inner world. In the works there are themes of gloom (link), feelings for the beloved, hope, as well as the desire for freedom. All these themes, one way or another, sound in the works of the composer.
Among all his contemporaries, Alexander Alyabyev clearly stands out for his versatile talent, individualism and depth of creativity. The composer was the founder of the Russian lyric romance and in general of chamber-instrumental music, his work had a tremendous impact on all the romance lyricism, introducing new features into it.
In his works, Alyabyev often touches upon philosophical and social themes that no one has used so far; nevertheless, the melodic stock of his compositions is closely connected with folklore. Of course, among all his works, the real pearl of Russian music stands out in a significant way - the romance “The Nightingale”, which rightfully belongs to those artistic works that are called immortal.
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