Glinka’s Russian Romance
Mikhail Ivanovich Glinka is a well-known composer whose works are often made on the basis of the texts written by outstanding poets. He is believed to be the first Russian composer who had an enormous influence on music, especially western genres. In addition to that, he created about 80 romances, among which is “I recall the wonderful moment” (also known as “I remember a wonderful moment”) written by Pushkin (Russian Art Song par. 1).
This work is believed to be one of the most famous Glinka’s pieces. It is a great mix of poet’s and composer’s mastership that follows the composition of the poem and consists of three parts that depict three critical moments in the life of a character: the first meeting, the bitterness of parting with the lover, and the happiness of the next date. The melody follows these moods and impresses the listeners with its smoothness and grace.
Analysis
In Glinka’s piece, the melody that accompanies the last lines of each stanza are repeated. His music follows Pushkin’s idea to reveal a particular idea and emotion in them. What is more, it makes this feeling even more vivid due to the selection of background music. As a result, it is easier for the singer to deepen into the sense of the composition and not just to produce the notes. When the lyrical hero recollects s moment from this past, the piano sounds quite in a high register, which resembles a mirage. In the third verse, Glinka reflects the line, “The years flew quickly. The storm’s blast” with disturbing accompaniment so that concords resemble fast heart beating (Oxquarry Books 3.1). Gamut-like passages seem to be lightings.
Thus, the sense of struggle and determination is transferred. As the poetry focuses on remoteness and gloomy isolation, Glinka also finds a great impressive solution. His accompaniment becomes chording with no tempestuous passages. It is ascetic and blue. As a result, the next part of the piece sounds rather contrasting because it sounds brightly and animatedly. The last line is very passionate, and it turns out to be emphatic in comparison to the very poem, which reveals the way the heart of the lyrical hero beats “with a rapture new” (Oxquarry Books 5.1). The romance is in the framework of the piano theme that is built on vocal melody. It ends with the elate coda, which does not leave any person indifferent.
Reflection
Glinka’s skill is so perfect in this romance because it belongs to his mature period of composing. His music made the poem even more beautiful and impressive. Revealing the emotion of the lyrical hero, a gentle melody with slight sadness turns into submission and grief. Some inner obstacles lead to despair and fade away. The music awakes again with the new power of inspiration, sounding brightly and enthusiastically. The last notes subdue a passionate impulse and sound soothingly. It seems that music and words were created at the same time by one person, and their connection is indissoluble. Thus, it is almost impossible to believe that they were created by two different masters in different periods of time and were dedicated to different women.
Thus, it cannot be denied that Glinka was a great composer. Using the works of other professionals as the basis for his inspiration, he received an opportunity to focus on the understanding of the work that attracted numerous readers and listeners.
Works Cited
Oxquarry Books. “Pushkin’s Poems.” pushkins-poems, n.d., Web.
Russian Art Song. “Mikhail Ivanovich Glinka.” Russianartsong, 2016, Web.