Yuliy Engel on Tschaikovsky in the Context of Early 20th-Century Russian Musical Culture

Devyatova O.L

doi:10.18502/kss.v4i5.6522

Abstract

The article explores aspects of Russian musical criticism in early 20th century. Based on the critical articles of Yu.Engel, the author explores how Tchaikovsky’s music was perceived and assessed during this era. The general conclusion is that the Moscow critic’s views on Tchaikovsky’s symphonic works were highly important in recognizing Tchaikovsky as the “first Russian symphonist”. Keywords: criticism, music, composer, symphony, assessment, perception

Highlights

The early 20th-century attitudes to Tchaikovsky, when his music was significantly underappreciated. remains insufficiently explored in musicology, despite the fact that we can find some concrete assessments in a number of works
Engel paid particular attention to the perception of Tchaikovsky’s music by the audience: here the critic has presciently outlined the assessments of the great composer provided by the future generations
This radical rejection of Tchaikovsky’s music was conditioned for Scriabin by his different perception of reality and art, which he understood as a celebration, as well as of sound, harmony and keys, which he used in search of supreme immaterialization [3, pp.264-265]

Summary

Introduction

The early 20th-century attitudes to Tchaikovsky, when his music was significantly underappreciated. remains insufficiently explored in musicology, despite the fact that we can find some concrete assessments in a number of works 1. Critical articles of Yu. Engel are devoted to different genres of Tchaikovsky’s works (opera, symphony, chamber music). His articles demonstrate many aspects of the rethinking of great composer’s works (historical, cultural and musical analysis of Tchaikovsky’s works, their theatrical and concert interpretations, the problems of performance - vocal, instrumental, conducting, etc.).

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