РУАЭСТ (RUAEST)
The Musical Symbol of Russia’s Fate in Sergey Rachmaninoff’s Music
The turn of the 19th-20th centuries in Russian history is characterized by outstanding achievements, discoveries, economic modernization, strong personalities and talents, on the one hand, and on the other, by social disasters, revolutions and wars. This time was called the Silver Age. Russian music at that time was at the forefront of musical culture. Sergey Rachmaninoff is a typical representative of the classical traditions of the Russian culture. He is a major and original composer, whose work is connected with the historical memory of the people, with centuries-old traditions of the spiritual life of Russia, with all its cultural and artistic heritage. This article considers three symphonies and the symphonic poem “The Bells”. The relevance of Sergey Rachmaninoff’s creative work consists in the revival of the musical culture of ancient Russia, use of the znamenny chant not only in religious pieces, but also in instrumental ones. Almost all his music contains chime melodies. Rachmaninoff filled his art with life, responded to everything that surrounded him. The value of his music is in its national, Russian character, the ability to express the time, thoughts and feelings. The love for Russia is felt in every piece, every note of the great artist. The music of the composer was modern in spirit then and it is now.