A musical revelation is a nocturne. This is a dream, this is life, this is a confession

Nocturne is not the name of a popular hairdresser or a new cake shop around the corner. This is not a poetic syllable, not the name of your favorite candy or delicious coffee. The concept of "nocturne" came to us from Europe, and translated from French means "night". Perhaps, that's why the first time nocturnes was taken to perform only in the evening, standing under the windows of the lady of the heart.

Nocturne as it is

Most books on music mean the word "nocturne" is interpreted as a small lyrical play of a dreamy character with a light and easy tempo, and also an elegant and romantic manner of performance.

A tranquil melodic work captivates with its lyrics and musical overflows, casts thoughts about a bright future or sends warm memories of happy moments of life to the country.

These works include several parts, usually three - usually this is a quiet introduction, a more animated second part, and the nocturne crowns the same calm, as in the beginning, music of the third fragment, sometimes accompanied by loud outlets. They are small and very easy to perceive, emotional.

Sounds of the past

Let's see how people of different ages and generations understood what a nocturne is. In the Middle Ages, nocturne was attributed to religious genres, and therefore played such works exclusively in the early morning. His main development as a musical genre he received in subsequent centuries.

In the XVIII nocturne is a small play performed exclusively in the open air and bearing a variety of character. More often she was playful, mischievous, entertaining, sometimes even dancing. At its end, always sounded command notes, which alerted listeners about the departure of musicians. They composed nocturnes for various instruments, as a rule, they were performed by orchestras with wind or string compositions.

The XIX century, first of all, is associated with the name of the Irish composer John Field. He was the first to use the French word "nocturne," and not only introduced it into everyday life, but also filled the concept with a new meaning. He created eighteen works, the melodies of which have a rich sound series, and they are filled with romance, melodiousness and heartfelt notes. Musicians of that era created calm, smooth, thoughtful motives. In their works they tried to convey the whole range of feelings and emotions that a person can experience.

F.F. Chopin

The notion of nocturne is inseparably linked with the work of the talented and virtuosic pianist Frederic Chopin. Perhaps, he was the best in this musical direction. The composer wrote twenty different and surprising in form nocturnes. They are iridescent and emotional, sad and thoughtful, daring and exciting, calm and restrained. One of Chopin's best and most memorable works in this musical genre is the nocturne in D flat major. Its peculiarity is that in the final part of the light, sensual and exciting theme of the work, a dialogue sounds.

Haydn

Quite rightly remembered is the wonderful representative of the Viennese classical school - Franz Josef Hyde. Nocturne in his performance has always been characterized by a special manner of reproduction. They created several melodic themes for frictional musical instruments, and, what is especially to be noted, this was done at the request of the King of Naples himself.

In addition to Frederic Chopin and Josef Haydn, such notable composers of Western Europe as E. Grieg, F. List, R. Schumann and many others addressed the genre of nocturne.

Nocturne. Glinka

The genre of lyric nocturne in the work of Russian composers was of a peculiar nature. To better understand it, let us turn to the experience of the great musician - Mikhail Ivanovich Glinka.

Of the nocturnes for the piano, it is primarily his compositions that are remembered, since he was an unrivaled master of black and white keys. In the genre of lyrical miniature composer wrote several wonderful works. And the first among them comes to mind the Nocturne of Separation, dedicated to his sister Elizabeth Ivanovna Fleury. The composition breathes emotion, differs smooth and melodic transitions, touching and soft mood. The recognized masterpiece is not only an excellent example of instrumental skill, but also a true example of the modern lyric genre, the path to which began to pave the outstanding figure of piano music - Mikhail Glinka.

Original and intricate features of melodies are also inherent in the nocturnes of such revered Russian composers as Scriabin, Balakirev, Rachmaninov, Tchaikovsky.

Nocturne in our day

Modern melodies have undergone a number of changes, they are somewhat different from the usual pattern for the past centuries. Today, nocturne is, rather, a figurative concept, which includes a mixture of styles of diverse music. It can be heard either in the conservatory or in the Philharmonic Hall, performed by the classical orchestra, and at the concert venues of the country in an unusual vocal incarnation. A good example in this regard are the speeches of Muslim Magomayev, Joseph Kobzon, Valeria and many others.

A small instrumental work with sentimental and melodic notes can touch even the most heartbreaking heart. Nocturne is not just a musical creation. This is a special recognition, a true confession that catches the thin strings of the human soul and allows you to enjoy an unusually sensual melody with a living character.