Pioneers of Russian chanson
In the Russian music industry of the 1990s, the concept of “Russian chanson” was a substitute for the inconvenient term “blatant song”. But in the first half of the 20th century, Russian chanson was understood as foxtrots and tangos far from the criminal theme, as well as emigrant, pop, gypsy songs and urban romances. We recall the great performers who stood at the origins of Russian chanson. Continue reading
They were the first to play jazz.
The jazz was presented to the music world by a meeting of two cultures – European and African. At the international wave in the early 20s of the twentieth century, the musical direction broke into the Land of the Soviets. We recall the performers who were the first to play jazz in the USSR.
“The first eccentric orchestra of the jazz band Valentina Parnakh in the RSFSR” debuted on stage in October 1922. It was not just a premiere, but a premiere of a new musical direction. Revolutionary for the music of the time, the team gathered a poet, musician and choreographer who lived in Europe for six years. Continue reading
The stars of our age: women musicians
Veronika Dudarova, Sofia Gubaidulina, Elena Obraztsova – names known not only in Russia, but also abroad. We remember the great women musicians of the twentieth century.
Veronika Dudarova was born in Baku in 1916. In 1938 she graduated from the piano department of the music school at the Leningrad Conservatory and made an unusual decision for that time – to become a conductor. In the USSR, then there were still no women who decided to go to the symphony orchestra. Veronika Dudarova became a student of two masters – Leo Ginzburg and Nikolai Anosov. Continue reading
How to listen to Stravinsky
In 2017, the world music community celebrates 135 years since the birth of Russian composer Igor Stravinsky. He became one of the greatest musicians of the twentieth century and one of the most prominent figures of world contemporary art. In honor of Stravinsky, the square in the center of Paris is named, decorated with many avant-garde sculptures. On how to listen to Stravinsky, to understand his original style, tell “Kultura.RF”. Continue reading
Russian opera singers who conquered the world
Vienna Opera and London Covent Garden, Mariinsky Theater and the Metropolitan Opera in New York. We recall opera singers from Russia, who have become world famous for their sopranos.
Galina Vishnevskaya
Galina Vishnevskaya’s musical career began in Kronstadt: first, the young singer performed in front of her grandmother and her guests, then at all the concerts at the school. She was called “Pebble Artist”. Continue reading
