Mikhail Glinka is a significant figure in the world heritage of classical music. This is one of the founders of Russian folk opera. To admirers of classical music, the composer may be known as the author of works:
- "Ruslan and Ludmila";
- "Life for the King".
The nature of Glinka's compositions cannot be confused with other popular works. He managed to develop an individual style of presenting musical material. This is one of the reasons why contemporaries turn to the works of the composer.
Childhood and youth
Glinka Mikhail Ivanovich was born on the territory of the Smolensk region. The date of birth of the composer will fall on May 20, 1804. Interestingly, the father and mother of the great composer were very distant relatives of each other.
Most likely due to the family ties of his father and mother, Mikhail grew up as an incredibly weak child. He was often sick, so he needed special care. For the first 10 years, the boy was raised by his paternal grandmother.
A woman who was distinguished by strictness developed a complex and nervous character in Glinka. Michael did not attend school. He was homeschooled. Again, distance learning is more of a necessity than a choice. Glinka was often sick, so he could not be in society. He grabbed various ailments.
Mikhail showed interest in music in childhood. Parents reacted to their son's new hobby with their usual indifference. In the meantime, he beat the rhythm, using copper spoons, which were kept in the kitchen of the family.
When the grandmother died suddenly, the mother took up the upbringing of Mikhail. The woman also did not differ in complaisant character. Soon she sent her son to a boarding house, which was located on the territory of the cultural capital of the Russian Federation - St. Petersburg. Note that only the elite, consisting of nobles, studied at the educational institution.
It was here that the future composer began to diligently study music. He discovered the world of classical works. Mikhail's favorite teacher was the musician Karl Mayer. The latter managed to form the right musical taste in him.
The creative path of the composer Mikhail Glinka
The first compositions from the pen of the maestro came out almost immediately after graduation from the educational institution. He became the author of several lyrical and poignant romances. Mikhail wrote one of his works based on Pushkin's poems. We are talking about the composition "Do not sing, beauty, with me."
Interestingly, Alexander Sergeevich and Glinka met while studying at a boarding school. They were united by a love of music and literature. Until the tragic death of Pushkin, they maintained warm friendly relations.
In 1823, due to deteriorating health, the composer went to the Caucasus, to a hospital. He was impressed by the local color. Mountains, indescribable landscapes and fascinating places contributed to the improvement, including emotional health. When the maestro returned home, he set about writing poignant compositions.
A year later, Glinka is forced to leave his home. He went to St. Petersburg, where he took a position in the Ministry of Railways and Communications. The musician was pleased with the work, but he was categorically not satisfied with the fact that he did not have enough personal time to engage in creativity. Glinka decided to resign from a highly paid position.
Life in St. Petersburg was seething. It was here that all the significant events of that time took place. Mikhail managed to get acquainted with the creative elite, and absorb knowledge to create brilliant classical works.
Stay in St. Petersburg did not pass without a trace for Glinka. Dampness and constant cold contributed to the deterioration of the health of the great maestro. The musician had no choice but to go for treatment in one of the European hospitals.
In Italy, Glinka was not only treated, but also engaged in vocational training. There he met Donizetti and Bellini, thoroughly studied opera and bel canto. When his health fully recovered, the composer decided to visit Germany. There, he continues to study, attending piano lessons from eminent German teachers. The death of his father forced Michael to return to his homeland.
The heyday of the creative career of the composer Mikhail Glinka
Glinka's whole life was in music. Soon he began work on one of his most outstanding works - the opera "Ivan Susanin", which was later renamed "A Life for the Tsar". The maestro was inspired to write the work by the military actions that he found in early childhood. Mikhail did not have the most rosy memories of these tragic events, so he shared his experiences through the prism of music.
Glinka decided not to slow down. The composer sat down to compose the second legendary opera. Soon, classical music fans were enjoying one of the maestro's most ingenious works. She received the name "Ruslan and Lyudmila".
It is interesting that the writing of the presented opera took Glinka as long as six years. What was the surprise of the musician after his work was severely criticized. The creative crisis coincided with problems in his personal life. All this led to one serious consequence - the musician's health again deteriorated.
For inspiration, Glinka again poisoned himself on the territory of Europe. The musician visited several cultural countries, after which he noted that his mood had clearly improved. As a result, he releases several more cult works, namely:
- "Aragonese jota";
- "Memories of Castile".
A trip to Europe did the main thing - she returned Mikhail Glinka confidence in himself and his talent. Gaining strength and inspiration, the maestro goes to his homeland.
The composer decided to live in his parents' house for some time. He was soothed by the silence that reigned in the village. After he moved to St. Petersburg, but quickly realized that life in the city, and the fuss that haunts him at every step, takes the last of his strength. He leaves the cultural capital and heads for Warsaw. Here he writes the symphonic fantasy Kamarinskaya.
Moving
He spent the last years of his life on the move. It was difficult for him to be in one place, because he was tired of everyday life. He traveled extensively in Europe. Glinka's favorite country was France.
Paris opened a surge of new forces in Glinka. Mikhail felt just fine, so he sat down to write another brilliant symphony. We are talking about the work "Taras Bulba". The musician spent several years in Paris. When he learned about the beginning of the Crimean War, he packed his suitcase and immediately went to his homeland. He never managed to finish the work on the symphony.
Upon arrival on the territory of the Russian Federation, Glinka sat down to write his memoirs. They perfectly conveyed the biography and the general mood of the maestro. Memoirs were published only 15 years later under the title "Notes".
Mikhail Glinka: Details of his personal life
It seems that in the biography of Mikhail Glinka there can be no place for amorous deeds. But this is far from true. During his European travels, he had several dizzying romances. Upon arrival in Russia, the musician married Marya Petrovna Ivanova.
This marriage was unhappy. Mikhail realized that he was in a hurry with the decision to create a family with Marya Ivanova. His heart could not love a woman. As a result, not only the musician himself suffered, but also his wife.
Ekaterina Kern became Glinka's new hobby. At the sight of the girl, Mikhail's heart jumped out of his chest. Interestingly, Katya was the daughter of Pushkin's muse. It was to her that the poet dedicated the verse "I remember a wonderful moment."
Glinka began a serious relationship with a young individual. He met with Catherine, but did not formally break off the marriage with Marya. The official wife also did not shine with morality. She openly cheated on the musician, talking about her love affairs. At the same time, she accused him of adventures with a new lover and did not give a divorce. Michael was crushed.
After 6 years of marriage with Glinka, Marya, secretly from the great composer, married Nikolai Vasilchikov. After Mikhail became aware of this fact, he hoped that Marya would now agree to a divorce, because all this time he had been in a relationship with Katya.
When he did get a divorce, he realized that he no longer had those warm feelings for Catherine that he had previously experienced. He never married the girl.
Interesting facts about Mikhail Glinka
- When the composer found out about the death of his mother, he lost the sensitivity of his right hand.
- Mikhail could have an heir from Catherine, but he gave her money for an abortion.
- After Glinka left Katya, the girl waited 10 years for his return.
- He had a beautiful voice, but Glinka rarely sang.
- He could speak 7 languages.
Death of Mikhail Glinka
Glinka in Germany studied the creative and personal life of Johann Sebastian Bach. Soon it became known about the death of the maestro. He died in 1857. The cause of death was pneumonia.
The body of the musician was buried in the Lutheran cemetery. A couple of years later, Glinka's sister arrived in Berlin. She wanted to bury the maestro's body in her homeland.
