Schumann r. Life rules for musicians

Novikov is one of the greatest masters of Soviet mass song. His work is firmly connected with the traditions of Russian folklore - peasant, soldier, urban. The composer's best songs, soulful lyrical, marching heroic, comic, have long been included in the golden fund of Soviet music. The composer turned to operetta relatively late, having found in musical theater new sources for your creativity.

Anatoly Grigorievich Novikov born on October 18 (30), 1896 in the city of Skopin, Ryazan province, in the family of a blacksmith. Musical education received from the Moscow Conservatory in 1921-1927 in the composition class of R. M. Gliere. For many years he was associated with army amateur song and choral performances; in 1938-1949 he led the Song and Dance Ensemble of the All-Russian Central Council of Trade Unions. IN pre-war years songs written by Novikov about heroes became famous civil war Chapaev and Kotovsky, song “Departure of the Partisans.” During the Great Patriotic War the composer creates the songs “Five Bullets”, “Where the Eagle Spread His Wings”; gained wide popularity lyrical song“Dark-skinned woman”, comic “Vasya-Cornflower”, “Samovars-samovaly”, “That day is not far away”. Soon after the end of the war, “My Motherland”, “Russia”, the most popular lyrical song “Roads”, the famous “Anthem of the Democratic Youth of the World”, awarded the first prize at International festival democratic youth and students in Prague in 1947.

In the mid-50s, already mature, popularly recognized master song genre, Novikov for the first time turns to musical theater and creates the operetta “Lefty” based on the story by P. S. Leskov.

The first experience was successful. “Lefty” was followed by the operettas “When You Are With Me” (1961), “Camilla” (“Beauty Queen”, 1964), “Special Assignment” (1965), “Black Birch” (1969), “Vasily Terkin” (based on based on the poem by A. Tvardovsky, 1971).

People's Artist of the USSR (1970). Hero of Socialist Labor (1976). Winner of two Stalin Prizes of the second degree (1946, 1948).

L. Mikheeva, A. Orelovich

Anatoly Novikov (T. Kareva)

Soviet mass song - a new layer musical culture, entirely formed in our revolutionary era. "Bread musical art"- said about the song at the beginning of the century A. V. Lunacharsky. And today, speaking about the Soviet song, we need to add: “and the banner” - the banner of the labor and military exploits of our people. Anatoly Grigorievich Novikov is one of those wonderful composers who carried this banner high through the years, who devoted his entire life to the development of Soviet song art, gave it all his talent and inexhaustible creative energy.

He spent his childhood in the Ryazan region, in the city of Skopin. Novikov was born into the family of a blacksmith and in early age Together with his brothers he began to help his father. He grew up in an atmosphere filled with the sound of Russians folk songs. There were no professional musicians in the Novikov family, but everyone had good hearing and voices, they loved music and sang with pleasure themselves, listening to each other and putting together patterned echoes. The future composer discovered extraordinary musical abilities- I independently learned to play the balalaika, and then the violin and cello, and participated with great enthusiasm in amateur orchestras. Even then, in his youth, Novikov’s versatile talent began to reveal itself—the talent of a propagandist and organizer. It is amazing how much useful this very young man managed to do in a short time. It is he who creates a choir chapel in his native Skopin, on his initiative it opens here School of Music(remember that at that time, in 1918, music schools were rare in such cities). At the same time, he took his first steps in composing - the “Hymn of Liberated Russia” he wrote, local choir chapel performed during the celebration of the first anniversary of the Great October Revolution.

Soon another facet of Novikov’s rich artistic nature was revealed: he was attracted to participate in the performances of the local drama theater During the season, he played such notable roles as Baron (“At the Lower Depths”), Khlestakov (“The Government Inspector”), Malvolio (“Twelfth Night”) and others, and in the summer of 1921 he sang, and with success, in a city operetta.

So at the very beginning creative activity Anatoly Grigorievich, like a drop of water, reflected all the diversity of his artistic interests, obsession with art, dedication to promoting music among the people. And also - amazing efficiency and constant thirst for knowledge. All this became the soil on which the composer’s talent grew and flourished.

In 1921, Novikov entered the famous Moscow Conservatory, where he studied with wonderful musicians - R. Glier, S. Vasilenko, G. Catuara, M. Ivanov-Boretsky. Despite his enormous busyness, he remains true to himself and his educational aspirations: in 1924, while still a student, he began working as the leader of the choral circle at the club for special purpose artillery courses, then at the club of the Academy M. V. Frunze. Only four years pass, and the young musician, who already has a solid reputation as an expert in folk songs, choral music, and instrumentation, becomes the director of the choir and orchestra in Central House Red Army. At that time, he often traveled to parts of the Moscow garrison, creating amateur choirs and orchestras. The “singing seminars” he organized became part of army practice for a long time - here singers from various military units improved their skills and culture, and became acquainted with the current repertoire needed by the army.

The bonds of friendship connecting the composer with the defenders of the Motherland became increasingly stronger. He works closely with many army ensembles, helping them with both advice and action. Back in 1934, when, after a competition for the best mass military-patriotic song, the Defense Commission of the Union of Composers was organized, Novikov was one of the first to join it, and then headed it for a number of years.

The military theme in all its diversity - soldiers' everyday life and holidays, patriotism and camaraderie, continuity of traditions, stories about heroes - constantly attracts the composer's attention. His first songs are “March of the Red Engine Drivers” (lyrics S. Bolotina), "Song about Kotovsky" (lyrics E. Bagritsky) and "Komsomolskaya-sniperskaya" (lyrics S. Bolotina) laid the foundation for many works about the army and for the army. Among the wonderful songs created by Novikov is “Song of Young Fighters” (lyrics V. Lebedeva-Kumacha), songs of the war years, including "Five Bullets" (lyrics A. Sofronova), "Icy wind" (lyrics G. Frolovsky). Is it possible to forget his songs with words? S. Alymova“Samovars-Samovars”, “That Day Is Not Far” and “Where the Eagle Spread His Wings”, written during the harsh war years, showing powerful fortitude and high moral potential Soviet people.

Suffice it to say that only in the programs of the twice Red Banner Alexandrov Song and Dance Ensemble Soviet army More than sixty works by Novikov are constantly performed. It is no coincidence that this composer is rightfully called the singer of the Soviet Army, the “all-army singer.”

Having resurrected the intonations of old soldiers, recruits, and Cossack songs to new life, Novikov was one of the creators of a whole movement in the genre of mass military-patriotic songs. This is a significant part of his work, inextricably linked with the entire diverse heritage of Russian musical folklore. Folk song is the subject of Anatoly Novikov’s enduring love, his unflagging interest and constant study. The influence of folk song, its formative beginning, is noticeable in all his work. The composer collected, processed and recorded many samples song folklore, he knows countless folk songs and chants. Back in 1934-1936, Novikov did a tremendous amount of work preparing five hundred folk songs for publication. And never his interest in folk art did not acquire the connotation of museum collecting or archival self-interest. He remembered and wrote down only what amazed him, touched him to the depths of his soul and therefore - one way or another - was creatively refracted into his own writings. No wonder that best songs Novikov’s works are deeply folk in nature, and are sometimes perceived by listeners as phenomena of musical folklore.

Novikov's intonation and creative range is unusually wide - he is equally successful in broad lyrical chanting, dance and ditty themes, severe sorrow, and solemn heroism. Novikov finds the exact musical equivalent psychological state heroes of their works, accurate figurative solution Topics.

The composer’s bright melodic gift allowed him, creatively implementing folk song traditions, to develop his own musical language. He always has a good sense of the line beyond which certain intonation, harmonic and rhythmic turns threaten to turn into a cliche.

Perhaps one of the most characteristic features of the composer’s style is the pronounced choral principle that permeates all of his work. " A. Novikov“First of all, a singer of the masses,” rightly noted A. Sokhor.- He loves to work on a song that will sound and flow, picked up by thousands of people, in the streets and squares, at rallies and demonstrations." early youth enthusiastic choir work, who knows all the subtleties of choral texture, voice leading, the possibilities of the most successful combinations vocal lines, Novikov created many works that have firmly entered the repertoire of various groups. One can recall the lyrical “Clear Moon” (lyrics D. Tereshchenko) and "The birds fly away" (lyrics M. Vershinina), six choirs on poems by Pushkin, written for the 150th anniversary of the poet’s birth, whole line major works, including the well-known poem “We Need Peace”, “Victory Cantata”, the suite “Volga Tunes”, “The Tale of Virgin Soil Upturned”. It is significant in this sense that most of Novikov’s songs, initially intended for solo performance, then receive, so to speak, choral design.

Novikov’s songs, regardless of their nature, be it “My Motherland” or “Song of Moscow Students”, “Siberian Youth” or “Ballad of Russian Boys”, “Roads” or “Cold Wind”, are easy to sing and easy to remember , sung solo and in chorus, on the concert stage and on the train - on the way to the shock construction site.

“A song is my constant muse. And if you are lucky enough to create one that, having gone to people, begins a long life that no longer depends on you independent life“, you feel joy from your difficult and wonderful profession,” - this is how he accurately and succinctly expressed his creative position composer.

Anatoly Grigorievich Novikov is a true son of his time, a son of his people, he is always in the thick of life, always at the center of modern events. And probably it is precisely the precision of his civic and artistic position that allows him to keep pace with the era, to sensitively respond to the events of the century. Hence such a strong contact with the listener, hence the vitality of Novikov’s songs, which became an important part of the musical chronicle of the life of the Soviet people. Not to mention representatives of the older generation, hardly any of today’s youth does not know or love his “Darkie” or “Vasya-Vasilka”, and yet they were written more than thirty years ago. And when in the spring, according to tradition, we all go to a communist subbotnik, the “March of the Communist Brigades” walks next to us, which is sung not only by boys and girls; the melodies of their youth are “recognized” in it by those who have both the years of the first five-year plans and the years of war behind them...

This ability to find the exact intonation in a conversation with the listener was clearly manifested in Novikov’s wonderful song Leniniana, which includes more than thirty songs.

Yes, Anatoly Grigorievich Novikov wrote many great songs. And each one is like a distinctive sign of the times, like a musical monument to people's achievements. Among the songs that resonated most deeply in the people's hearts are the famous "Roads" and the world-famous "Anthem of the Democratic Youth of the World."

“Oh, roads, dust and fog...” The work was born after the war - in it, with piercing force, a song “portrait” of that arduous and many-day road that led us to victory is drawn... Artistic image, created by Novikov and the poet Lev Oshanin, turned out to be so precise and organic that the song acquired a truly symbolic sound. I had the opportunity to talk with many front-line soldiers, and when they talked about the wartime songs that were most dear to them, they certainly recalled Novikov’s “Roads”.

The theme of the struggle for peace found in the person of Novikov the artist a rare mobilizing force. In anticipation World Festival democratic youth in Prague, it was decided to hold a competition for best song, which was attended by Soviet composers, including Novikov. In his book “How the Song was Created,” one of its authors, the poet Lev Oshanin, writes: “The task was not easy, it was necessary to write an essentially Komsomol song, such that the Komsomol would see in it their ideals, their thoughts and feelings. At the same time At the time, this song should have been picked up by democratically minded boys and girls from different countries, often very far from the Komsomol in their ideological essence. This means that the words should be very succinct, lofty and at the same time humane and simple..." "Anthem of the democratic youth of the world " met these conditions. In music, the composer conveyed youthful ardor, passion, a bright and joyful feeling of striving for high ideals peace and friendship between peoples. The anthem, sounded for the first time almost thirty years ago, still retains its artistic power. “The youth is singing a song of friendship!” - for people good will these lines still sound like an alarm bell, calling to defend peace and prevent a new war.

The theme of international unity is revealed in many of Novikov’s songs. This is the song "In the Name of Tomorrow", written together with L. Oshanin. Its ideological orientation is expressed in the words “People, stop death,” which are perceived as a fiery appeal of the Soviet people to all people of the Earth. The ideas of brotherhood and camaraderie of working people are reflected in songs with lyrics M. Vershinina“John Reed walks through Petrograd” and “Fuchik remembers Russia.”

Anatoly Novikov also made a significant contribution to the development of Soviet musical theater. He became one of those composers who largely contributed to the transformation of traditional operetta, in fact, into a new theatrical and musical genre.

Novikov made his debut in musical theater already as a mature, established master. The first musical comedy was written by the composer on the threshold of his 60th birthday, in 1955. Since then, Novikov has enjoyed constant success in this genre. At least four of his six musical comedies have become an adornment of the repertoire of many theaters in our country.

The reasons for this success are not difficult to determine: the simple fact is that, turning to a new genre for himself, the composer did not change his creative principles, remained himself - an artist who draws inspiration from life itself, listens to the intonation and rhythmic “atmosphere” of the time and at the same time invariably relies on folk melodies, so close to the musician’s heart and so organically embodied in his song creativity. Realistic determination helps Novikov overcome the established canons and cliches of operetta, create works that excite the truth of feelings.

The new qualities inherent in Novikov’s musical comedies were clearly manifested already in his first composition, written for theater, comedy"Lefty." The composer’s very appeal to Leskov’s wonderful story-parable is already symptomatic (libretto R. Galist-Valaeva), full of gentle humor and a deep belief in the creative power common man and at the same time wittily ridiculing self-confidence, stupidity, ignorance and inertia. Novikov managed to find a musical language that organically merged with the deep national style Leskov's prose, and created a work glorifying folk wisdom, directness and purity of feelings. The expressive means chosen for this purpose by the composer take their origins from the same song and dance elements and are based on the deep nationality of the composer's style. But in his arias and duets, songs and round dances, Novikov does not stylize, but boldly creates fresh, original melodies and rhythms, which leaves the imprint of a unique individuality on the entire operetta. Novikov's musical comedy is deservedly recognized as one of the most successful appeals to classical Russian prose in the genre of musical comedy in general.

A different range of images is revealed in Novikov’s operetta “Camilla”, written based on the play E. Kornievskaya And P. Gradova. The action of this funny comedy takes place in a distant, but... close to my heart Soviet people of Cuba these days, and this determines the character of the music. The composer turns to the richest treasury of Cuban folklore. Wise with experience in working with folklore material, the composer carefully conveys National character music, its fiery-temperamental rhythms, passionately intense intonations. Is it any wonder that "Camilla" was only in its first year stage life triumphantly walked across the stages of twenty theaters across the country more than 600 times!

The fate of the musical comedy “Special Assignment” (libretto P. Gradova). This time the composer turned to the events of the first years of the revolution, the time of the formation of Soviet power. Here in his field of vision are various characters and complex dramatic collisions. The work uses elements of urban everyday music of the beginning of the century, and the intonations of revolutionary songs, and, of course, as always with Novikov, folklore material - ditties, drawn-out songs. The song “Hey, Sailor”, created by Novikov, is also imbued with a truly folk spirit - a kind of dramatic core of the entire operetta.

Another undoubted success of Anatoly Novikov was the musical comedy “Vasily Terkin” (libretto by P. Gradov based on the poem A. Tvardovsky). The spiritual world and the whole appearance of the hero of the poem, of course, are especially close to the composer. Perhaps Terkin himself sang Novikov’s songs more than once at the crossroads of military roads. Songfulness organically permeates the entire work, but the nature of the songs themselves is so diverse that this does not make the music one-dimensional: there are heartfelt lyrics, rich humor, and heroic pathos. And the famous, unfading song "Roads" with new strength sounded in this score as the leitmotif of the composition next to new melodies born of the artist’s talent many decades later. And this once again convinces how inexhaustible spiritual youth and reserve creative forces the artist, who celebrated his 75th birthday in the year of the premiere of Terkin. However, with enormous creative activity, Anatoly Grigorievich always finds time for ebullient social activities, to which he also gives all the heat of his generous soul. And this never interfered, but rather helped solve purely creative problems. Novikov lives in constant communication with people - he is always traveling around the country and abroad. His personal charm helps him immediately establish contact with his interlocutors, with an audience of thousands. And the wealth of impressions is somehow reflected in the song.

A significant stage in Novikov’s social activity was his participation in the organization and formation of the All-Russian Choral Society. Elected as its chairman, Anatoly Grigorievich did a lot to disseminate the experience of the largest professional and best amateur choirs, involved many specialists in the new musical and educational organization, and contributed to the development amateur performances, helped various groups with his methodological advice, and actively participated in shows and festivals of choral art.

The subject of another tireless concern of the venerable artist is the Folk Singing School, of which he has been the rector for many years. For almost fifteen years now, people from different professions have been studying at the school - students, workers, engineers, teachers. Three times a week, in the evenings, without interruption from production, they learn here the secrets of vocal art - they study the technique of solo singing, solfeggio, theory and history of music. Teaching at the School is carried out on a serious professional basis, according to a program that covers almost the entire course of a music school.

“The music of our time is diffused in our very reality, this music is in the wonderful deeds of our workers and collective farmers. The music of those composers who live with the feelings and thoughts of the entire people becomes truly modern. Living in the midst of modern feelings is the main thing for a composer-artist. A composer is a person ", whose profession is to experience and, as a result, express what has been experienced. Songwriters are artists working at the forefront of our art, they are sharp-sighted scouts who keenly see what is new, which may still be invisible to others." This is how Anatoly Novikov speaks about his profession, about his life’s work. And these words can rightfully be used as an epigraph to his entire work.

A composer-citizen, a composer-patriot, who grew up from the people, was educated by them, all his creative and mental strength devotes himself to the cause of increasing the cultural wealth of our Motherland.

Novikov Anatoly Grigorievich, born October 30, 1896 in Skopin, Ryazan province. Hero of Socialist Labor (1976).

In 1921-1927 he studied at the Moscow Conservatory in the composition class of R. M. Gliere. In 1918-1920 he was the conductor of the choir at the Department of Public Education of Skopin. In 1921-1924, teacher of music at the agricultural technical school in Bitsa (Moscow region). In 1924-1926, he was the leader of amateur performances at the club of the Military Academy (Moscow). Music theory teacher at vocal courses ANTHEM (1926-1928), music college named after. October Revolution (1929-1932). In 1928-1938, instructor in Red Army amateur performances of the CDKA, Political Directorate of the Moscow Military District. In 1939-1943 artistic director Song and Dance Ensemble of the All-Russian Central Council of Trade Unions. In 1949-1951 artistic director of the Song Ensemble All-Union Radio. In 1957-1962, secretary of the board of the Union of Composers of the USSR. In 1957-1960, Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the Union of Composers of the RSFSR. In 1962-1965, advisor to the USSR Ministry of Culture on music issues. In 1962-1969, Chairman of the All-Russian Economic Organization. Honored Artist of the RSFSR (1947). People's Artist of the RSFSR (1961). People's Artist of the USSR (1970). Laureate State awards USSR (1946 1948).

Basic op.: music. comedy- Lefty (Irkutsk, 1957), When you are with me (Kemerovo, 1961), Camilla (Beauty Queen, Rostov-on-Don, 1964), Special Assignment (Omsk, 1965), Black Birch (Sverdlovsk, 1969), Vasily Terkin (Omsk, 1971); for reader, soloists, choir and orchestra.- poem We Need Peace (1954); for soloist, choir and orchestra.- cantata Golden Star (1955); for brass orc.- Rhapsody Soldier's Tunes (1947); for choir- cantata of the Red Army - glory! (1943), Victory cantata (1946), suite Volga tunes (1946), 6 choruses on fir. A. Pushkin (1949), Soldiers' Tunes (1965), Steamship "Sergei Yesenin" (1975); song cycles- Khasan Suite (1938), Peers of October (1942), Four Songs of the 14th Guards Cavalry Mozyr Red Banner Division (1944), Countrymen (1945), Three Songs about Moscow (1947), Suite by Konstantin Zaslonov (1954), Suite Twin Cities ( 1954), Tula labor (1958), suite Tale of the Virgin Soil Upturned (1959); songs(over 500), including Song about Kotovsky, Song-dance (1934), Border guard (1935), Spring Day of May, Departure of the partisans, Song of young fighters, Song about Chapaev, Our good friends (1936), Parade talents (1937), The sonorous gusli, Across the seas, across the oceans, Song about Budyonny (1938), Song about the party (1939), Smuglyanka, Tula rifle (1940), Vasya-Cornflower, On a hike, Winter-winter, Samovars. (1941), Baltic Glory, October Star, Gift, Five Bullets, Dispute about Generals (1942), Cold Wind, Where the Eagle Spread Its Wings, Partisan Thought (1943), To Berlin, Over the Don, Smolensk Road (1944), Artillery march, Our cause is just, That day is not far off, Victory, Victory toast, Play about brown eyes, Roads (1945), From the gate - a turn, At the Kremlin wall (1946), Anthem of democratic youth, Ilyich's outpost, March of labor reserves, Dreaming young soldier, Russia, You are good, Moscow (1947), Come to woo, For the native land (1948), Students' March, Song of Peace (1949), Song about Lenin, Collective farm mowing is good, Miner's family (1950), We glorify work, Festival (1951), Friendship of Youth, There is such a party, Sing, Muscovites, Party, listen, dear, Ruby stars(1952), Take care of the Fatherland, Listen, the whole world (1953), Ballad about a Russian woman, Song of Moscow students, You are only one (1954), The guitar rings over the river, The party is faithful to the people, Near Voronezh, With your own hearts (1955), To be first, The soul of the people is my party, When you go on a date (1956), In the name of tomorrow. Let's be friends, raise the banner of labor! (1957), Long Roads, March of the Communist Brigades, March of the Communists, Spring Has Come to My Land (1958), This is How It Happens in a Soldier's Life, Hymn to Lenin, Giant Nations, Let's Beat Swords into Plowshares (1959), Faithful Brothers, The Horn Sang factory, Our Soviet Power (1960), On a sunny flight, Lenin's Party, Lenin, Motherland, Lenin - Party, It's Done! (1961), Ballad of Russian Boys, March of the Lenin Komsomol (1962), Voice of My Country, Lenin with Us, At the Mausoleum, Ural Youth (1963), Autumn leaf(1964), My Ryazan is my beauty! (1965), Fuchik remembers Russia, John Reed walks through Petrograd, The first soldier's spring (1966), Soldiers of the Invisible Front, The Seventeenth Year (1967), The Twentieth Century, Dreams are covered in a thunderstorm, Towards the stars, The earth remembers Lenin, The fire burns unquenchable ( 1968), When I think about Lenin, People love Lenin, On Red Square (1969), Ski, Nothing is forgotten - no one is forgotten (1970), Song of the Russian heart, The earth responds with love, The Soviet sun never sets (1971), You break through your path (1973), two songs about BAM (1974), Victory Banner, On the approaches to Moscow, Yesenin evenings (1975); music for dramas, plays and films; arr. adv. songs; collection in three volumes Russians folk songs (1938).

Lit.: Glezer R. Anatoly Novikov. M., 1957; Polyanovsky G. Anatoly Novikov. M., 1976.

Composer Novikov Anatoly Grigorievich - bright representative new musical art, shaped by the 1917 revolution. His talent and creative energy were aimed at developing a new musical theme - Soviet songs glorifying the labor and military exploits of the Soviet people. Anatoly Novikov devoted his entire life to this business. The result of his work was more than 600 songs that are still popular today.

The beginning of the composer's path

Anatoly Grigorievich Novikov, whose biography dates back to the 19th century, or more precisely on October 18 (30), 1896, was born in the provincial town of the Ryazan region - Skopin.

His parents, Grigory Osipovich and Neonila Nikolaevna, were illiterate. His father worked in a forge that was located on the outskirts of the city, so the only book that the future composer saw in his house was “How to Shoe Horses.”

But Anatoly’s childhood was not deprived of music: in the evenings the Novikov family loved to sing folk songs, and on holidays the town hosted military parades and all sorts of ceremonies with the participation of the Zaraisky Infantry Regiment. But what military parade takes place without music and soldiers' songs? This is how the future composer’s love for music, songs of folk and military-patriotic themes was born.

His love for music required an outlet, and Novikov bought a balalaika with the first money he earned and very quickly mastered playing by ear. Then a craving for choral singing appeared, and Anatoly decides to study music. In 1912, he entered the Ryazan Teachers' Seminary, which he graduated from in 1916, and immediately entered the Moscow People's Conservatory.

Already at that time, the young man showed extraordinary abilities for music: at the age of 20 he wrote his first work, called “The Anthem of Liberated Russia.” However, after a year it is difficult financial situation forces Novikov to leave the walls of the conservatory and return to Skopin.

Novikov in his small homeland

Returning to Skopin, Anatoly Grigorievich Novikov began organizing a music school. Here he uses the experience of his Moscow comrades. His appeal to the city education department with a request for help in creating a folk music school was granted: one of the post office premises was allocated for the school, two pianos were transferred (the instruments were found in the houses of neighboring landowners, whose estates were destroyed), and the St. Petersburg school allocated its specialists for the formation of the school teaching staff.

Despite the difficult post-revolutionary times, studies at the children's music school (CMS) were free of charge, which, of course, had great importance: art has become accessible to simple but talented children. Children's Music School became the cultural center of the city of Skopin; the local intelligentsia greeted Novikov's initiative with delight and supported him in every possible way.

During this period, Anatoly Grigorievich clearly understood that music had become the meaning of life for him, but at the same time he felt a lack of knowledge and the need to obtain a higher musical education.

And again Moscow

Novikov’s former teacher, composer Paskhalov, recommends that the young man study at the capital’s State Conservatory. In 1921, the young composer left for Moscow, where he successfully passed tests at the conservatory.

At the conservatory, Novikov’s teachers are wonderful musicians: S. Vasilenko, R. Gliere, G. Catuara. However, his studies did not supplant the composer’s educational aspirations for a more distant future: in 1924, in parallel with his studies at the conservatory, Novikov led the choir club of the special purpose artillery courses club, and then he was invited to a similar job, but in the club of the Frunze Academy.

In a short time, Anatoly Novikov gained fame as an expert in the folk song repertoire, choral singing, and instrumentation. The Central Committee of the Red Army invites him to lead the choir and orchestra.

In addition to this work, Anatoly Grigorievich creates military orchestras and choirs in parts of the Moscow garrison, and conducts seminars for singers of military units. Composer Anatoly Novikov received the unofficial status of “all-army singer”, and in 1934 he became a member of the Defense Commission of the Union of Composers, which he subsequently headed for several years.

Features of creativity

Military themes are constantly present in the composer’s work, and they are very diverse. In his songs, Novikov the composer certainly reflects the everyday life of the defenders of the Motherland, their holidays. His works are imbued with patriotism, camaraderie, and talk about heroes and military traditions.

Novikov revives the intonations of the songs of our ancestors. He brings back to life almost forgotten old soldiers' and Cossack songs, in which he continues the theme of the patriotism of the Russian people, the strength of their spirit. Russian is clearly visible in most of his works musical folklore: “Oh, yes you, Kalinushka”, “Little dove”, “Down along Mother, along the Volga”, etc.

One of striking features Novikov's creativity is a clearly expressed choral orientation of his songs. Even songs that were originally intended as solo songs later became choral. We can say that Novikov’s compositions were universal for performance.

His songs, such as “My Motherland”, “Roads”, “March of the Communist Brigades”, “Vasya-Cornflower”, etc., could be performed solo or in chorus, on concert venue and on the train.

Novikov and films

Novikov Anatoly Grigorievich, biography, filmography which is firmly connected with the formation Soviet power, the history of the country, was the composer whose works simply could not be ignored by Soviet cinema. It is difficult to name films of that time in which Novikov’s songs were not heard. Rarely has a war film been complete without the song “Oh, the Roads.” It sounded everything that the Russian soldiers felt and experienced.

One cannot help but mention the song “Darkie,” which was written in 1940, but some of its fragments caused bewilderment among officials, and the composition was consigned to oblivion.

Its revival was helped by director Leonid Bykov, who heard the tune as a child from front-line soldiers and decided to make a film about pilots, in which “Darkie” would certainly feature. Bykov realized this dream in his film “Only Old Men Go to Battle.”

Since the release of the film on the screens of the country, “Darkie” has deservedly returned to the repertoire of many performers and musical groups.

Social activities of the composer

In 1957, composer Anatoly Grigorievich Novikov was elected head of the organizing committee of the Union of Composers (UC) of the RSFSR and secretary of the board of the UC USSR.

Since 1960, Novikov has held the position of secretary of the board of the republic's Investigative Committee. The composer worked in this position until 1968.

From 1962 to 1965, Novikov was an adviser to the USSR Minister of Culture. At the same time he becomes chairman of the All-Russian Choral Society.

Awards and titles

Anatoly Novikov, whose works were so popular and patriotic that his work could not go unnoticed by the state, was deservedly noted:

• second degree;
• Order of the Red Banner of Labor;
• Order of Lenin (twice);
• order October revolution;
• star of the Hero of Socialist Labor;

He was awarded the titles of Honored Artist of the RSFSR, People's Artist of the RSFSR and the USSR.

Conclusion

Composer Anatoly Grigorievich Novikov wrote many wonderful songs. It is interesting that each of them contains one or another segment of the history of our Motherland and serves as a kind of musical victory for the Russian people.

Anatoly Grigorievich died on September 24, 1984. His grave is at Novodevichy Cemetery in Moscow.

Novikov the composer will always be in the people's memory as a man who knew the soul of the people and their aspirations. Filmed in memory of the great composer documentary, a postage stamp was issued. In Skopin, on the composer’s house, one city street bears his name.

Unfortunately, at present, the children's music school created by Novikov in the city of Skopin does not have the former support from the local administration and ekes out a miserable existence.

Student of R. M. Gliere. Author of more than 600 songs with lyrics by various authors, including “Smuglyanka” (1940), “Roads” (1946), “Russia” (1946), “Anthem of the Democratic Youth of the World” (1947), as well as musical comedies (“Vasily Terkin", 1971, etc.).

Biography

In 1921-1927 he studied at the Moscow State Conservatory named after P. I. Tchaikovsky (composition class of R. M. Gliere).

In the 1920-1930s, he was the leader of amateur choirs, including army ones. In 1926-1928, teacher of music theory in vocal courses State Institute music science, in 1929-1932 - the music college named after the October Revolution. In 1928-1938, instructor in Red Army amateur performances Central House Red Army, Political Directorate of the Moscow Military District.

In 1930-1951, artistic director of the song ensembles of the All-Union Central Council of Trade Unions, All-Union Radio, etc.

Lived in Moscow. Died on September 23, 1984. He was buried in Moscow at the Novodevichy cemetery (site No. 10).

Public positions

• In 1957-1962, Secretary of the Board of the Investigative Committee of the RSFSR
• In 1957-1960, Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the Investigative Committee of the RSFSR
• In 1960-1968, Secretary of the Board of the Investigative Committee of the RSFSR
• In 1962-1965, advisor to the USSR Minister of Culture on music issues
• In 1962-1969, chairman of the All-Russian Choral Society
• Member of the Supreme Council of the RSFSR of the 5th-8th convocations

Awards and titles

• By decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR dated October 29, 1976, Anatoly Grigorievich Novikov was awarded the title of Hero of Socialist Labor with the Order of Lenin and the Hammer and Sickle gold medal.
• two Orders of Lenin (10/29/1966, 10/29/1976)
• Order of the October Revolution (1971)
• Order of the Red Banner of Labor (11/24/1956)
• Stalin Prize second degree (1946) - for the songs “Vasya-Vasilyok”, “Five Bullets”, “Where the Eagle Spread His Wings”, “Partisan Thought”, “Icy Wind” and others
• Stalin Prize, second degree (1948) - for “Anthem of Democratic Youth”
• Honored Artist of the RSFSR (1947)
• National artist RSFSR (1961).
• People's Artist of the USSR (1970).

Memory

• Movie - . TsSDF (RTSSDF). 1977. 28 minutes.
• USSR postage stamp, 1986.

List of works

Songs

• "Darkie" (1940)
• "Vasya-Vasilyok" (1942)
• "Samovars-samopals"
• "March of the Artillerymen"
• "Roads" (1945)
• "Russia" (1946)
• "Anthem for the Democratic Youth of the World" (1947)
• "At the Rink" (1947)
• "Football Song"

Musical comedies

• "Southpaw" (1957)
• "When You're With Me" (1961)
• "Beauty Queen" (1964)
• "Special Assignment" (1965).
• "Black Birch" (1969)
• "Vasily Terkin" (1971).

• While in the USSR Investigative Committee, Novikov continued the campaign to “harass” avant-garde composers, both modern (E.V. Denisov, A.G. Schnittke, E.O. Firsova) and innovators of the early 20th century (N.A. Roslavets, L. A. Polovinkin).