A solemn cantata in memory of the 100th anniversary of A.S. Pushkin is a musical work (Op. 65, cantata ) written by Alexander Glazunov in 1899 in memory of A.S. Pushkin. [1] Also known as the “Cantata on the 100th anniversary of A. S. Pushkin”, “Memorial cantata.” It consists of five parts, written on verses by Grand Duke Konstantin Romanov .
In honor of the anniversary, a special medal was cast, theaters prepared drama performances and operas based on Pushkin’s works, arranged an exhibition of the poet’s belongings and manuscripts in the conference hall of the Imperial Academy of Sciences , Pushkin readings with various pictures were held everywhere for the people. A magnificent edition of “Songs about the Thing Oleg” was prepared with drawings by V. M. Vasnetsov , the Mikhailovsky estate was acquired into the treasury, and the poet’s grave was taken under guard. The first volume of the academic publication of A.S. Pushkin. The Academy of Sciences established the Department of Fine Literature, where the best writers were elected, and the Pushkin Foundation to finance the publication of the Dictionary of the Russian Language and the works of Russian writers [2] .
Content
History
One of the events of the grand anniversary of A. Pushkin was the premiere of the work of A.K. Glazunov, which took place at a ceremonial meeting of the Academy of Sciences on June 6 ( May 26, old style) in 1899. She was performed by the choir of the Russian Opera. The chairman of the jubilee commission was the author of the cantata text - Grand Duke Konstantin Konstantinovich .
Although the work is not written on the texts of A.S. Pushkin himself , it is worth noting that Glazunov appreciated the poet's lyrics and repeatedly turned to her when creating his compositions. He wrote many chamber-vocal works on verses of the great poet. Among them are considered the best “Bacchic song” (“What the voice of joy ceased to have”) and “Oriental romance” (“Desire fire burns in blood”).
In August 2002, the cantata was recorded in an orchestral version in the Great Hall of the Moscow Conservatory , it was performed by Lyudmila Kuznetsova and Vsevolod Grivnov with the State Academic Symphony Chapel of Russia , conductor Valery Polyansky . The work was included in the collection of works of Glazunov, released in 2008 on seven CDs . [3]
Cantata structure
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The work consists of five parts for solo , choir and piano :
- We are a crowded crowd ...
- This quiet cradle ...
- The infant years have passed ...
- From the worries of the earth dull ...
- Forever, glorious without comparison ...
Music
The main tone of the cantata C-dur.
- Chorus. Pace: Allegro. Key: C-dur. Size: 4/4. The choir is written in three-part form and has a chord texture. He is a chorale .
- Berseuse, for mezzo-soprano and orchestra. Pace: Allegretto. Key: E-dur. Size: 9/8. Form: couplet and variation.
- Choir for mezzo-soprano and choir. Pace: Moderato. Size: 4/4. This part consists of two contrasting sections (the second is a canon). The first wrote in g-moll, and the second in Es-dur.
- Aria for tenor, choir and orchestra. Pace: Andante. Key: As-dur. Size: 4/4.
- Anthem for mezzo-soprano, tenor, choir and orchestra. Pace: Moderato assai. Size: 3/4. Key: F-dur - C-dur. It has a chord texture and a pronounced solemn hymn character, although it is written in a size not typical for such a genre. You can also notice that the composer makes a stylization of that era, relying on the music of M. Glinka .
Notes
- ↑ Memorial Cantata, Op.65 (Glazunov Aleksandr)
- ↑ Vostryshev M. I. The fate of the crowned brothers. Diaries of Grand Duke Konstantin Konstantinovich. - M., 2016.
- ↑ Alexander GLAZUNOV (1865-1936) - Orchestral works (English)