Semantics of Monochromity Reproductions of Arnold Böcklin’s Painting "Isle of the Dead" and its Influence on the Creation of Rachmaninoff’s Symphonic Poem

Abstract

The author considered the semantics of monochrome reproduction of A. Becklin's painting "Isle of the Dead" and its influence on the creation of the symphonic poem of the same name by S. Rachmaninoff. It was found that the black-and-white reproduction of the painting by Arnold Böcklin's attracted the attention of S. Rachmaninoff and inspired the composer to create a symphonic poem "Islе of the Dead". A remarkable phenomenon in world art is described - the phenomenon of monochrome images. For the first time in musical culturology the semantics of monochrome reproduction of Arnold Böcklin's famous painting "Isle of the Dead" and its both conceptual and artistic embodiment in the symphonic poem by S. Rachmaninoff were studied. The specifics of S. Rachmaninoff's perception and commitment to black-and-white visualization, which is produced, first of all, by the cultural-historical background, are proved. Understanding of the relationship between fine arts and music with the historical period, which is able to explain certain phenomena in culture, is revealed. The content of the concepts "semantics of monochrome" and "decoded semantic loads", which are endowed with black, white and gray colors, is substantiated. The composer's epistolary legacy is analyzed and deep intentions that were the impetus for the creation of the musical poem "Islе of the Dead" are revealed. The intellectual reflection of the composer is described based on the analysis, which substantiated the following conclusions: in the mind of S. Rachmaninoff there was an objectification of the plot of Arnold Böcklin's painting, a certain message was found, encoded in the painting. The semantics of monochrome reproduction of Arnold Böcklin's painting "Islе of the Dead" and, in fact, the musical interpretation of this plot are characterized. A certain, well-defined technique is used, which the composer uses in many of his works - the opposition of "infernal" and bright life-affirming principles. It is proved that black, which represents death, is overcome by S. Rachmaninoff more often by light and multicolor life.