Music calendar – November

The final month of autumn, the harbinger of winter, November revealed to the world many wonderful musicians: brilliant composers, talented performers, and teachers. This month was not spared by high-profile premieres that made people talk about themselves for many years and even centuries.

Their music is eternal

The “youngest” celebrity, who was born on November 10, 1668, was Francois Couperin. A representative of a well-known dynasty of musicians, he made the name famous. His unique harpsichord style fascinates with its refinement, grace and refinement. His rondo and variations are sure to be included in the concert repertoire of the leading performers.

On November 12, 1833, an outstanding person, a brilliant composer, a talented scientist, teacher, Alexander Borodin appeared to the world. In his work, both heroic scope and subtle lyrics are organically intertwined. His passion for science and music attracted and gathered around the composer many wonderful people: composers, scientists, writers.

F. Couperin – “Mysterious Barriers” – piece for harpsichord

On November 16, 1895, Paul Hindemith was born, a classic of the XNUMXth century, a universal not only in composing, but also in the art of music in general. Theorist, composer, teacher, violist, poet (the author of most of the texts for his creations) – he managed to cover almost all genres of music in his work, not forgetting about children. He wrote solos for almost every instrument in the orchestra. Contemporaries testify that the composer could play any part in the works he wrote. Hindemith was a great experimenter in the field of synthesis of genres, styles, orchestral colors.

On November 18, 1786, the future reformer of the German opera, Carl Maria von Weber, was born. Born into the family of an opera bandmaster, the boy absorbed all the subtleties of this genre from childhood, played many instruments, and was fond of painting. Growing up, the young man worked in several leading opera houses. It was he who proposed a new principle for placing an opera orchestra – by groups of instruments. Invariably participated in all stages of the preparation of the performance. He systematically carried out the reform, changed the repertoire policy, staging German and French operas instead of the numerous works of Italians. The result of his reforming activity was the birth of the opera “Magic Shooter”.

On November 25, 1856, in Vladimir, a boy appeared in a noble family, who later became a famous musicologist and composer, Sergei Taneyev. Beloved student and friend of P.I. Tchaikovsky, Taneyev worked hard on his education, both in Russia and abroad. Equally, he was both a composer and a teacher, devoting a lot of time to the musical and theoretical training of his students. He brought up a whole galaxy of celebrities, including Sergei Rachmaninov, Reinhold Gliere, Nikolai Medtner, Alexander Scriabin.

Towards the end of the month, on November 28, 1829, the world saw the future organizer of musical life in Russia, a composer who created masterpieces, a brilliant pianist, Anton Rubinstein. His portraits were painted by the best Russian artists: Repin, Vrubel, Perov, Kramskoy. Poets dedicated poems to him. The surname of Rubinstein is found in numerous correspondence of contemporaries. He gave concerts as a conductor and pianist throughout Europe, the USA, and also initiated the opening of the first St. Petersburg Conservatory in Russia, which he himself headed.

They inspire posterity

November 14, 1924 was born the largest violin virtuoso, “Paganini of the XX century” Leonid Kogan. His family was not musical, but even at the age of 3 the boy did not fall asleep if his violin was not lying on the pillow. As a 13-year-old teenager, he made Moscow talk about himself. On his account – victories in the world’s largest competitions. A. Khachaturian noted the incredible capacity for work of the musician, the desire to perform the most difficult violin parts. And the 24 caprices of Paganini, virtuoso performed by Kogan, delighted even the strict professors of the Moscow Conservatory.

On November 15, 1806, in Elisavetgrad (modern Kirovograd), an opera singer was born, who became the first performer of the part of Ivan Susanin in the famous opera by M. Glinka, Osip Petrov. The boy’s musical education began in the church choir. The parishioners were touched by his sonorous clear treble, which later turned into a thick bass. The uncle, who brought up a 14-year-old teenager, interfered with music lessons. And yet the talent of the boy did not remain in the shadows. Mussorgsky called Petrov a titan who carried all the dramatic roles in Russian opera on his shoulders.

On November 1925, 15, the greatest ballerina, writer, actress, choreographer Maya Plisetskaya appeared to the world. Her life was not easy: her parents fell under the infamous purges of 37. The girl was saved from the orphanage by her aunt, Shulamith Messerer, a ballerina. Her patronage determined the future profession of the child. On tour, Maya Plisetskaya traveled all over the world. And her Odile and Carmen have remained unsurpassed so far.

Loud premiere

On November 3, 1888, Rimsky-Korsakov’s “Scheherazade” was performed at the 1st Russian Concert in the Assembly of the Nobility (Petersburg). Conducted by the author. The symphonic fantasy was written in record time, a little more than a month, although the composer admitted to friends that at first the work was slow.

Ten years later, on November 10, 18, Rimsky-Korsakov’s one-act opera Mozart and Salieri premiered on the stage of the Moscow Private Opera. The part of Salieri was performed by the great Fyodor Chaliapin. The composer dedicated the work to the memory of A. Dargomyzhsky.

On November 22, 1928, M. Ravel’s “Bolero” was performed in Paris. The success was huge. Despite the skepticism of the composer himself and his friends, this music captivated the listeners and became one of the significant phenomena of the XNUMXth century.

Some more facts

• November 6, 1911 was born Adolf Sax, famous for the invention of the saxophone.
• On November 12, 1906, the great tenor Enrico Caruso finished work on the record, which sold more than 1 million copies.
• On November 21, 1877, the inventor Thomas Edison showed the first device for recording and playing sound – the phonograph.

Leonid Kogan plays Paganini’s “Cantabile”

Author – Victoria Denisova