Russian classical guitarists are virtuosos. Sergei Golovin – Russian guitar virtuoso

Sometimes, while watching the performance of a band or enjoying a favorite composition, we pay attention only to the front singer and completely forget about other musicians, namely guitarists. And they play in the creative work of groups no less important role. The best guitarists in the world have long become legendary. This article will focus on them.

Blues 20-30s

The best guitarists in the world in these types of music are quite famous. Next, we will try to highlight the brightest musicians from the huge number of worthy ones. If we're talking about about the blues of the 20-30s of the last century, the most virtuoso musician is without a doubt Robert Johnson. Some people seriously believed that in exchange for his skill, he made a deal with the Devil. However, most consider this story to be just a romantic fiction. But both agree that Johnson’s genius cannot be ignored. It was thanks to his work that first the blues and then rock and roll became what they are now.

The best guitarists in the world of the next decades

When it comes to jazz, the guitar has always been considered an accompanying instrument. It was. However, a revolution awaited the blues. One of the first musicians to make this breakthrough is Blind Blake. The playing of this master of improvisation and his technique are still considered by many to be a reference. However, time passed, and new heroes appeared on the scenes. The most jazzy of all bluesmen is B.B. King. His signature branding and vibrato made him the king of the blues. Subsequently, his work in one way or another touched everyone who picked up an electric guitar.

Rock'n'roll

Piercing sadness blues compositions The saying clearly reflects: “The blues is when it’s bad to a good person" However, people are not always sad. Perhaps the very first musician who managed to convey his good mood with the help of a guitar was Chuck Berry. This kind of music was later called rock and roll. Musicians still actively use his guitar moves and ideas today. Berry's ironic story songs made him a rock and roll poet.

The best rock guitarists in the world

Rock is the successor to blues and rock and roll. Many people consider one of the ancestors this direction Jimi Hendrix. Almost no publication in the field of rock music history can do without mentioning him. - the best guitarist in the world according to Time. When his father gave him a guitar for $5 as a gift, he hardly thought that this determined not only his son’s future, but also the future of music in general. Many guitarists consider Hendrix their mentor and teacher. His simply virtuoso guitar technique was not an end in itself. She was only a means through which the musician conveyed his emotions. His perception of the world turned into unique melodies. Jimmy put some kind of cosmic meaning into literally every note. Many still consider his playing not just skill, but the secret of a magician.

Hard rock and metal

The following decades can be considered the era of hard rock and metal music. Many of the best guitarists in the world played in these directions. You can choose for a long time, but we will focus on those musicians whose names have actually become synonymous with these styles. One of them is This man had no choice but to become the best. When Richie's father bought a guitar, he said that if he didn't learn to play, it would be broken on his head. Blackmore Jr. had to learn. And how. This guitarist has gone down in history forever. His playing style and riffs have become standard and classic. Many aspiring guitarists try to copy Blackmore's style.

Another icon is “teacher to the stars” Joe Satriani. Many of recognized masters We learned to play from him. Satriani is considered the teacher of such gurus as Steve Vai, Alex Skolnik, Charlie Hunter, David Bryson, Larry LaLonde, and many others. Joe's acting is simply flawless. His virtuosic techniques, various tricks and unexpected harmonies aroused delight not only among listeners, but also among his colleagues.

Bassists

Low-frequency sound has long been considered masculine music. Therefore, the best bass guitarists in the world are of great interest. The magazine, according to a survey of its readers, recognized the musician as such The group Who by John Entwistle. Paul McCartney and James Jamerson are also considered masters of brutal bass notes.

Lead guitar

The best solo guitarists in the world are a whole list of virtuosos and recognized gurus. Ritchie Blackmore, discussed above, is considered one of the remarkable masters of guitar soloing. He reached the top in this area after Deep Purple, when he created the Rainbow team. The musician's solos became slower and more thoughtful. There was so much philosophy and meaning in them that it is very difficult to find a second such master. Kirk Hammett can also be called one of the best lead guitarists.

Modern virtuosi

Today, one of the most brilliant and brilliant guitar masters is John Petrucci. He plays progressive metal. His music is unusually complex technically and compositionally. The virtuosity of a musician sometimes makes one wonder whether there are limits to human capabilities? Judging by the master's game, they simply do not exist. Some of the gurus whom the musician considered his idols today consider it an honor to play alongside him.

Joe Pass, considered a great improviser, once said that the electric guitar was not invented long enough for people to fully understand all its capabilities as a musical instrument. These words are still relevant today. Each subsequent generation of musicians discovers new possibilities of this instrument.

Producer's Column

A couple of years ago, when the press wrote that according to the results of sales for the year in musical instrument stores in London, the number of DJ turntables sold exceeded the number of guitars, it seemed that the plastic world had finally won. But suddenly, with the arrival of the spring of 2001, companies began to appear in courtyards again, singing songs with a guitar, in the subway at every step you meet young people with characteristic black covers on their backs, everything seemed to fall into place. The balance is being restored, and this is happening thanks, among others, to such guys as the team of the Russian Guitar Portal website. The portal combines several guitar-themed sites and was created through the interaction of Internet and guitar professionals.

IN music app the first New Year's magazine was published a joint project Publishing house "Salon Audio Video" and the portal website - "Gitarists of Russia". The title of the disc fully corresponds to the content; it contains guitar music various styles and directions performed by instrument masters. We deliberately try to avoid the epithet “best” so as not to cause disputes about tastes. Along with eminent professionals, the work of young virtuosos is presented here. The music is so diverse that I think everyone can find something for themselves.

Evgeny Ilnitsky "Papa John".

GUITARISTS OF RUSSIA

Despite the fact that the guitar is one of the most popular musical instruments, guitar music in Russia is semi-underground. Musicians of this genre often known only to specialists. Every day on the radio we hear them play dozens of times and don’t know their names. These people, as a rule, work behind the backs of popular artists as session musicians, and a rare national hit happens without their participation. For many, working with pop artists is a way to make a living, and their own creative ambitions find expression in guitar music. U guitar music there is no regular serious press, “unpromoted” concerts are held occasionally, and albums recorded with one’s own money are released in small editions. We hope that the release of our disc will at least partially fill this gap.

The guitar is a truly folk instrument, millions of children learn all these “ladders” and “asterisks” in the summer in the courtyards and in the winter in the entrances, mastering the “barre” and “picks”. Talking to famous musicians, it turns out that many started in the same way, with songs with a guitar in a company where the person who owns the guitar always enjoys authority. It was the guitar and innovations in extracting and processing its sound that determined the development of the entire popular music second half of the 20th century. And it is no coincidence that the bygone century was called the century of the guitar, the century of rock and roll.

Alexey Kuznetsov- patriarch of the national guitar school, author of popular teaching aids and one of the best jazz musicians countries that participated in many famous projects together with many jazz stars Russia. For a long time, Kuznetsov worked in the variety and symphony orchestra of the USSR State Television and Radio and Cinematography Orchestra, where he collaborated with such classics as Mikael Tariverdiev and Mikhail Petrov, and participated in the recording of music for domestic films." Cruel romance", "17 Moments of Spring" and many others. Our collection presents a play by Alexey Kuznetsov, performed by him in a duet with another elder Russian guitarist- Nikolai Gromin, with whom Kuznetsov played back in the 50s.

Dmitry Chetvergov- a versatile guitarist who plays freely in any style. For many years, Chetvergov has been the most sought-after session guitarist in Russia, having recorded an incredible number of guitar parts with the stars of Russian popular music. IN solo work Dmitry experiments with modern sounds and music technologies. The two plays presented in the collection perfectly illustrate this fact. The song Propeller-Chet uses a sample from the Propellerheads, hence the name.

Dmitry Maloletov- this is the presenter Russian specialist on the “piano technique” of playing the guitar (two-handed tapping). As a studio and concert musician, he worked with many Russian stars. A few characteristic quotes from an interview with Dmitry Maloletov: “...the guitar for me is not just a craftsman’s instrument, it is a unique field of knowledge - the science of the guitar, in which I am more of an experimenter than a professor. I am convinced that two-handed tapping is a new step in development of the guitar.", "playing for all occasions - from flamenco to atonal fusion - this is the specificity of our Russian guitarists."

Ivan Smirnov- composer, guitar virtuoso, creator unique direction opening up new development paths modern music and returning musical creativity to domestic roots. Smirnov's style harmoniously combines the most modern, most relevant musical forms with the Russian worldview. Over the past few years, the press has recognized Smirnov as the best acoustic guitarist Russia. Leading world-class performers (guitarists Al Di Meola, Alan Holdsworth) are familiar with Smirnov’s work and give him high praise. His first album, “Carousel Grandfather,” was called a “musical sensation” by critics at the time of its release and sold a record number of copies for this kind of music.

Igor Boyko- guitarist, composer, paying a lot of attention to improvisation. The defining direction in creativity is music in the style of jazz fusion. Igor, like most of the guitarists presented on the album, works with pop stars on concert venues and in the studio. Already for a long time takes part in the Valery Syutkin Ensemble as an instrumentalist and author; long-standing creative ties connect him with jazz singer, composer and pianist Sergei Manukyan. Igor recorded several solo albums. In addition to the rich concert activities, Igor Boyko is engaged in educational and pedagogical work, being the author of two books dedicated to the art of guitar.

Not so long ago Valery Didyulya was a street musician, in this role he traveled across half of Europe. He studied guitar in the birthplace of flamenco - Spain. Last year, Didyulya was recognized as the best guitarist in his homeland - Belarus. Now lives and works in Russia and. is preparing to release his second album. Valery's style is original flamenco music, Latin American acoustic guitar music in modern fashionable dance arrangements. Currently, he works closely with many popular music performers.

May Lian on the professional stage since 1984, in the late 80s and early 90s he worked at the Alla Pugacheva Theater. After that, over three years of travel, I gained experience in session work in 14 European countries. Returning to Russia in 1993, he released the country's first video school for playing the guitar; the circulation of the two parts of the video school is approaching 500,000 copies. Mei Lian's instrumental compositions are distinguished by their bright images and non-standard harmonic construction. Individual style of execution, using shades oriental flavor, makes this guitarist easily recognizable on the stage.

Alexander Vasilenko has extensive experience in orchestral work. In the late 70s, while still a very young man, he started in State orchestra Latvia "Neptune", in subsequent years he worked in the USSR State Television and Radio Orchestra under the direction of A. Petukhov and in the orchestra of the State Academic Bolshoi Theater. And in 1994 he won 1st place in the Blues Guitar category in the guitar competition of the television program Jam. Such contrasting stages of his creative path characterize the width of Alexander Vasilenko’s stylistic range - from academic music to rock.

Levan Lomidze- blues guitarist Georgian origin. Creative activity began at the Tbilisi Philharmonic under the patronage of Vakhtang Kikabidze (Vakhtang’s son was the drummer in the ensemble where Lomidze played). In the late 80s, Levan Lomidze's group became "the first Georgian rock band to release a record." In the early nineties he moved to Moscow with the Blues Cousins ​​group. The energy of the musicians can only be envied; from the time of the emergence of music clubs to this day, Levan Lomidze’s group remains the most actively performing blues group in the capital. Levan dedicated the work presented in our collection to his wife Madonna Lomidze.

The composition "Summer Light", written and performed by a Moscow guitarist Dmitry Rantsev impressed us with her energy, melody and ingenuity in phrasing. Dmitry is mainly known to listeners from his work in Leonid Agutin’s group. The presented piece was recorded in collaboration with bassist Sergei Zakharov, keyboardist Alexander Smirnov and arranger Roman Trofimov.

Anton Tsygankov- a very young guitarist, the hope of Russian guitar music. Anton, like his colleagues in the guitar shop, works with pop performers, steadily improving his professional skills, and has already distinguished himself by taking the top places in several guitar competitions. Experts predict a great future for him.

The material was prepared by Evgeniy Ilnitsky (Papa John) and Sergei Tyncu (stnk). Thanks for help in preparing the disc to Alexander Avduevsky (Cyco), Serge Ivanov, Dmitry Frolov (DF), Nastya, Fingy.

Learning to play the guitar is only half the battle. In order to play a string instrument masterfully, you need real talent and constant practice.

And some have been so successful in this matter that they have shown truly phenomenal results. Who exactly can hold the title of the fastest guitarist in the world?

The fastest composition is “Flight of the Bumblebee”

“Flight of the Bumblebee” from Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov’s opera “The Tale of Tsar Saltan”

If you carefully study the opera, the phrase “Flight of the Bumblebee” will not be found there at all. However, this name was firmly attached to the music. The musicians say that this piece is distinguished by incredibly fast performance. And the main task of the artist is to play at great speed. And it is not surprising that guitarists practice playing this particular composition to develop their skills. And here's who was especially successful in execution.

The fastest guitarist in Russia

Virtuoso musician Viktor Zinchuk, who also works as a composer and arranger, has a number of other regalia. He is a laureate international festivals and competitions, he was awarded the prestigious titles Golden Guitar of Russia and Honored Artist of Russia, he has the Order “For Service to Art” in his collection. And that is not all. He is also an Honorary Master and Associate Professor of the International Academy of Sciences of the Republic of San Marino.

The musician’s work, by the way, cannot be attributed to a specific style or genre. He plays different directions– from fusion to hard rock. In addition, it combines a variety of playing techniques and instruments.

The composer's collection of games is truly impressive. He has about three dozen rare string instruments. He brought almost everything from various tours. This is both a solid wood Bolivian guitar and Celtic harp, and the zither, and the Irish bouzouki. And the leaders of the world market of musical instruments, namely the American company Fender and the Japanese Ibanes, present their best guitars and guitar equipment to Victor Zinchuk every year. Such gifts are given to him as a sign international recognition his talent.

“Flight of the Bumblebee” from virtuoso guitarist Viktor Zinchuk

It is worth noting that Viktor Zinchuk plays with only nine fingers, and not all ten. The musician has a non-working little finger right hand. The artist broke his finger while playing football. However, the composer insured his valuable hands with an insurance company for $500 thousand.

The fastest guitarist combines playing instruments with playing football. The artist plays for a team of show business stars, despite his once injured finger. And he evaluates his entry into the international Guinness Book of Records as “pampering” and a “circus act.” He repeatedly stated this in his interviews. According to him, he set the record as a joke and does not take it seriously.

Fastest Guitarist

Thiago Della Viga was born in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. And the young man became interested in music in early childhood. At the age of five he already learned to play the guitar. Over time, Thiago realized that his interest in the electric guitar gradually turned into passion. Therefore, he began to pay more and more attention to the musical instrument.

The guitarist began to practice playing the strings for several hours a day. And after just a short time, he achieved phenomenal execution speed. He demonstrated his abilities and capabilities in the groups AfterDark and Fermatha.

Thiago Della Vega - the fastest guitarist plays "Flight of the Bumblebee"

And already in 2008, Thiago was in record fast pace– 320 sounds per minute – played “Flight of the Bumblebee”. A few years later, the record was broken by American John Taylor. He performed “Flight of the Bumblebee” at a speed of 600 sounds per minute. In 2011, the musician broke his own and a new record, and played the same composition at a tempo of now 750 sounds per minute. Immediately after this, Thiago was included in the Guinness Book of Records as the most virtuoso guitarist in the world. But the master doesn’t stop there either. He continues to improve his game and hold the prestigious title.

By the way, Thiago is now traveling around different countries world and conducts special seminars for his colleagues. In his lessons he plays seven string guitar, which has 24 frets and is equipped with a Floyd Rose tremolo, the Andrellis TDV.

The fastest guitarist in the world

At first, the native of Donetsk was able to play 27 notes per second, and a little later he surpassed himself and played 300 notes on an electric guitar in less than 10 seconds. Immediately after demonstrating his abilities, Sergei was awarded a certificate that confirms his absolute championship in Ukraine. Interview with the fastest guitarist in Ukraine

Now Sergei Putyatov’s record has not been officially registered, but the musician wants to get into the Guinness Book of Records at all costs. By the way, he has already submitted an application there and is waiting for the commission’s visit. In the meantime, he ends each of his performances with a demonstration of his super guitar playing.

The success of the guitarists can only be envied; all the records remain to be recorded in the Book of Records. In our next article you can read about the most expensive guitars in the world, because without an instrument it’s just a person with musical abilities, and with a guitar - a musician.
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The ways of development of guitar art in Russia are peculiar and original. Being a five-string guitar, the guitar was brought to Russia Italian musicians in the 18th century, but did not become widespread, remaining an exotic decoration. Later, at the beginning of the 19th century, the Russian public became acquainted with the “Spanish” six-string guitar, which by that time had become quite popular in Europe. It was presented in Russia by famous foreign guitarists M. Giuliani, F. Sor and others.

Victory in the Patriotic War of 1812 greatly accelerated the growth national identity, caused a rise in patriotic feelings and sentiments in all layers of society. Interest in the historical past of the Motherland is rapidly growing, folk art, in particular to folk songs. Urban romance is gaining wide popularity. Based on everyday folklore, it represents a unique layer of Russian musical culture with characteristic structure and melosom, with expressive means unique to it.

Academician B. Asafiev wrote about this in his work “Musical Form as a Process”: “There was no psychological realism with its analysis of personal mental life yet, the romantics had not yet gone on a rampage, putting forward a culture of feeling, and the masses were already eager to hear “simple speech” and heartfelt and exciting melody; for the dominance of nepotism, sensitivity, the cult of “simple morals” of simple-minded people and “homeliness”, tenderness for nature, quiet contemplation was approaching. The intonations corresponding to all this evoked in the music a romantic melody, sincere, heartfelt; both words and melody, for the most part not claiming long-term development, they were covered by a single intonation system - “sounding from heart to heart”1.

Appeared in last decade The 18th century seven-string guitar, with its harmonic structure and timbre color, turned out to be very close to the nature of the Russian folk song and the urban romance genre that arose on its basis. Its use to accompany the voice made it possible to most subtly reveal the lyricism of intimate experiences that constitute the main theme of urban romance. Best works of this genre, created by A. Alyabyev, A. Varlamov, Titov and other talented composers, entered the golden fund of Russian music.

Russian musicians, realizing the great possibilities inherent in the seven-string guitar, are beginning to create a solo repertoire for it. First, they arrange for her excerpts from popular operas and other works by Russian and foreign composers. Then they create variation cycles, quite complex in texture and concert in character, based on folk melodies. (As a shining example let's call A. Sihra's variation cycle on the theme of the Russian song “Among the Flat Valley.”) In addition to the variations, miniatures are created, graceful and melodic, touching the soul of a simple Russian person. Attempts are also being made to create a large form, in particular a sonata, a concerto for guitar and orchestra.

Russian guitar virtuoso and composer Andrei Osipovich Sihra (1773-1850)

The extraordinary popularity of the seven-string guitar attracted talented musicians to it. An outstanding role in the creation of the national guitar school belongs to Andrei Osipovich Sikhra. A remarkable virtuoso guitarist, a talented composer, he is undoubtedly the founder of the Russian school of playing the seven-string guitar.

A. Sihra was born in 1773 in Vilna (now Vilnius) in the family of a music teacher. In his youth he performed in concerts as a harpist and played the six-string guitar. Then he became interested in the seven-string guitar, to which he dedicated his entire life. In 1801, the musician moved to Moscow, where he began to create a repertoire for the seven-string guitar and study with his first students.

Sihra, a talented musician, a friendly and charming person, soon became the idol of numerous students and fans.

After Napoleon was expelled from Russia, Sihra moved to St. Petersburg, which he did not leave until the end of his life (he died in 1850). Here he, already a mature musician and teacher, creates his own school of playing the seven-string guitar...

A. Sihra was not only a talented, but also a highly educated musician. He was highly valued by M. Glinka, A. Dargomyzhsky, A. Varlamov, A. Dubuk, D. Field and many other figures of national culture. The famous singer O. Petrov studied guitar with Sihra. Biographical Dictionary Russian historical society called Sikhra “the patriarch of Russian guitarists.” Of his students, the most famous are S. Aksenov, N. Alexandrov, V. Morkov, V. Sarenko, V. Svintsov.

If Sihra was recognized as the head of the St. Petersburg school of seven-string guitar with its characteristic strict “academic” style, then the founder of the Moscow school is rightfully considered Mikhail Timofeevich Vysotsky, whose life and work is another page in the history of Russian guitar art.

Of Vysotsky's students, the most famous were P. Belosein, A. Vetrov, I. Lyakhov, M. Stakhovich and others.

The era of Sihra and Vysotsky is the “golden age” of the Russian seven-string guitar. Its widespread use contributed to the democratization of the art of music.

Variation cycles of Russian guitarists-composers were created on the basis of Russian folk songs. This unique layer of Russian musical culture is an important source for the study of folklore.

The Russian seven-string guitar, sounded in the hands of talented musicians, inspired poets and writers to create beautiful lines of poetry.

A. Pushkin called the guitar “sweet-voiced.” Words full of lyricism dedicated to this instrument can also be found in M. Lermontov, A. Fet, I. Bunin, A. Grigoriev, L. Tolstoy, A. Ostrovsky, M. Gorky.

The guitar is depicted in many paintings by Russian and Western European artists: V. Tropinin, V. Perov, I. Repin, An. Watteau, B. Murillo, Fr. Khalsa, P. Picasso and others.

IN mid-19th century, interest in the guitar is declining not only in Russia, but also in Europe. However, in late XIX- at the beginning of the 20th century, the seven-string guitar begins to reassert itself. This was largely facilitated by the activities of enthusiastic musicians who tried to restore the traditions of Sihra and Vysotsky. The most famous of them were A. Soloviev and V. Rusanov.

Outstanding Russian guitarist and teacher Alexander Petrovich Solovyov (1856-1911)

Alexander Petrovich Solovyov (1856-1911) - a prominent performer and teacher. He raised many gifted students, such as V. Rusanov, V. Uspensky, V. Yuryev, V. Berezkin and others; created the School (published in 1896), which was the best at that time.

Valerian Alekseevich Rusanov (1866-1918) is a famous historiographer and promoter of the Russian seven-string guitar. He organized the publication of the all-Russian magazine “Guitarist” (1904-1906).

In the period after the Great October Socialist Revolution, M. Ivanov, V. Yuryev, V. Sazonov, R. Meleshko did a lot to popularize the seven-string guitar. They created schools and tutorials for this instrument, original compositions, adaptations and transcriptions, and compiled numerous collections. M, Ivanov wrote the book “Russian seven-string guitar”. These musicians constantly performed as soloists and accompanists in concerts and recorded on gramophone records.

IN post-war years A new generation of seven-string guitar performers has grown up, which worthily continues the rich traditions of the national performing school. Among them: V. Vavilov, B. Okunev, B. Kim, S. Orekhov, A. Agibalov. The repertoire of the seven-string guitar was replenished during this time with works by composers N. Chaikin, B. Strannolyubsky, N. Narimanidze, N. Rechmensky, G. Kamaldinov, L. Birnov and others.

Nowadays there is a growing interest in the Russian seven-string guitar in the world. Let us express our hope that in further history New glorious pages will be written on this beautiful original musical instrument.

From the history of the seven-string guitar. XVIII-XIX centuries

Nowadays, it is almost impossible to imagine a Russian folk song without a seven-string guitar. However, it gained popularity, displacing the balalaika from the everyday life of the urban population, relatively recently - in the 19th century. Since then, every person gifted with musical abilities along with a love for folk songs and Russian culture pays tribute to this wonderful musical instrument, although, of course, today six string guitar much more in demand and popular both among pop professionals and among music lovers.

Russian musicians and seven-string guitar

The guitar was the favorite instrument of many famous Russian musicians. A. Alyabyev, A. Varlamov, A. Zhilin, I. Khandoshkin and many other figures of Russian musical culture of the 18th-19th centuries gave preference to the Russian seven-string guitar. In this article we will talk about only some of them: G. A. Rachinsky, A. E. Varlamov, A. A. Alyabyev, P. A. Bulakhov, O. A. Petrov.

Gavrila Andreevich Rachinsky

Gavrila Andreevich Rachinsky (1777-1843) was born in the city of Novgorod-Seversky, in Ukraine. A wonderful violinist and composer, he was very fond of the seven-string guitar, often played it in concerts, and composed variations and plays. For many years, Rachinsky's life was connected with Moscow. In 1795-1797 he studied at the gymnasium at Moscow University, and then worked there as a music teacher for quite a long time. From 1823 to 1840 G. Rachinsky was again in Moscow. It was during this period that he repeatedly toured St. Petersburg and other cities of Russia, which brought him fame as an outstanding artist.

It is characteristic that back in 1817, in Moskovskie Vedomosti (Nos. 24 and 27), G. Rachinsky notified about subscriptions to the publication of his twenty works for violin and seven-string guitar. Among the ten guitar compositions, two variation cycles on the themes of Russian folk songs “I walked through the flowers” ​​and “Young Young One” were mentioned, as well as five polonaises, a waltz, a march and a fantasy. But for reasons unknown to us, they were not published.

A man of versatile culture, a “Voltairian,” as they said then, G. Rachinsky was close to Moscow literary circles, in which his name was very popular. On various literary evenings he often played variations on themes of Russian and Ukrainian folk songs. At one of these evenings, dedicated to the memory of the poet and playwright N. N. Nikolev (his poems formed the basis of such popular songs, like “Soar higher, rush”, “In the evening the blush dawns”), G. Rachinsky performed his works on both the violin and guitar. Those gathered in the house of the pupil of the poet I. Maslov, big fan seven-string guitar, the author of compositions for her, were admired by the skill of the musician. “That evening,” noted the magazine “Son of the Fatherland” (1817, No. 9), “the violin in Rachinsky’s hands and the guitar itself became animated under his fingers and made him wonder.”

It is known that the remarkable musician created fantasies for the seven-string guitar “That evening I was at the postal yard” and “On the banks of the Desna”.

Russian composer Alexander Egorovich Varlamov (1801-1848), author of various popular romances and songs, which are considered folk by many

The creator of many popular romances, Alexander Egorovich Varlamov (1801-1848), was an excellent guitarist. His musical talent showed up early: on his own, the boy learned to play the piano, violin, cello, and guitar. At the age of ten, his father sent him to St. Petersburg, where he was enrolled in the staff of the Court singing choir young singers. Noticing the boy’s excellent abilities, the director of the choir, the outstanding Russian composer D. Bortnyansky, began to supervise his studies. According to A. Varlamov himself, it is D. Bortnyansky that he owes the beautiful vocal school and subtle knowledge of vocal art. Having completed his musical education, A. Varlamov served for four years as a teacher of choristers in the church at the Russian embassy in The Hague. Here he already performs not only as a singer, but also as a guitarist. On February 19, 1851, the St. Petersburg newspaper “Northern Bee” wrote in the article “Memories of A.E. Varlamov”: “At another concert (in Brussels), to please the artist giving the concert, (he) played the Rode Variations on the guitar. Cleanliness and fluency of the game melodic instrument, unknown to many listeners at that time, aroused loud applause; the next day an expression of general gratitude for the pleasure given to the public was published in the French Brussels newspapers.” His performance in The Hague was not the only one; later, in Russia, he often performed as a guitarist in concerts and in the home circle.

In 1823, Varlamov returned to his homeland. He earns his living by teaching lessons in various educational institutions and private houses. At this time, the composer composed a lot, often performed his romances in concerts and among friends, but did not publish them. Since 1832, having received the position of conductor and “composer of music” of the Moscow imperial theaters, he settled in Moscow. Here Varlamov finds recognition and support in the Moscow artistic community. His talent was appreciated by the famous tragedian P. S. Mochalov, himself a singer and songwriter; poet and actor N. G. Tsygankov, to whose words A. Varlamov wrote a number of his romances; M. S. Shchepkin, A. N. Verstovsky and other figures of Russian culture.

A collection of the composer's romances, published in Moscow in 1833, brought him great fame. His songs spread with extraordinary speed and were sung by representatives of all classes. A. Varlamov’s romance “The Red Sarafan” became especially famous, which sounded, according to composer N. Titov, “both in the nobleman’s living room and in the peasant’s smoking hut.”

A. Varlamov wrote about 150 romances, most based on the words of Russian poets, some based on folk and his own texts. It is characteristic that the texture of the accompaniment of many of his romances is purely “guitar”, for this instrument was especially loved by him. A. Varlamov composed not only romances, but also theater and ballet music.

The last years of the composer's life are connected with St. Petersburg. Here he worked on a collection of folk songs, “Russian Singer,” which remained unfinished. In 1848, A. Varlamov died suddenly. In the Museum of Musical Culture named after. Glinka's manuscript of Varlamov's composition for voice accompanied by a seven-string guitar is kept in Moscow.

Russian composer Alexander Alexandrovich Alyabyev (1787-1851), author famous song"The Nightingale" based on poems by Anton Delvig

The multi-talented composer Alexander Aleksandrovich Alyabyev (1787-1851) also wrote for the guitar. Many of his vocal lyric creations were far ahead of their era. He enriched Russian music with new content and reflected in it the best, progressive aspirations. Advanced man of his time, participant Patriotic War 1812, he introduced into Russian vocal lyrics motives inherent in the civil poetics of the Decembrists, motives of patriotism, love of freedom, thoughts about the plight of the people, sympathy for the oppressed. Many of his works have become phenomena of lasting value.

Among his friends are the future Decembrists A. Bestuzhev-Marlinsky, P. Mukhanov, F. Glinka; writers A. Griboedov, V. Dal, V. Odoevsky, famous partisan poet D. Davydov; composers A. Verstovsky and M. Vielgorsky.

Alyabyev's creative heritage is great: 6 operas, 20 vaudevilles, many works for orchestra and chamber ensembles, piano pieces, choral works, over 150 romances. Being an excellent connoisseur of the seven-string guitar, he masterfully arranged works by A. Sihra and S. Aksenov for it and the orchestra. They were first performed by concert guitarist V. Svintsov in 18271. In turn, the guitarists made brilliant arrangements of Alyabyev’s romances.

P. A. Bulakhov. V. I. Radivilov

Pyotr Aleksandrovich Bulakhov (c. 1793-1835), the father of the author of many popular romances P. P. Bulakhov, also played the seven-string guitar. He lived in Moscow and was a wonderful singer. Playing the guitar well, he often accompanied himself in concerts.

Interesting arrangements for guitar and orchestra belong to V. I. Radivilov, famous violinist and a balalaika player. So, on April 2, 1836, in a duet with P. Delvig, a student of M. Vysotsky, he played his composition for violin and guitar with orchestra. In the same concert, Delvig performed variations on the theme of the Russian song “I’ll tell you, mother, my head hurts” on a seven-string guitar.

Mikhail Ivanovich Glinka

The founder of Russian classical music, Mikhail Ivanovich Glinka, was also interested in the guitar. His acquaintance with Spanish folklore during a trip to Spain in 1845 was largely thanks to Spanish guitarists. The tunes of F. Castillo and especially F. Murciano, whom M. Glinka called “an amazing guitarist,” served him as material for creating such wonderful works, like “A Night in Madrid” and “Aragonese Jota”.

M. Glinka not only knew the guitar and many guitarists well, but also played it himself. Famous composer and pianist A. Dubuk recalled: “Mikhail Ivanovich Glinka often listened to the playing of O. A (the famous opera singer O. A. Petrov, a student of Sihra), it happened that he himself took the guitar and selected chords on it”2.

Russian opera singer and guitarist Osip Afanasyevich Petrov (1807-1878). Portrait by Konstantin Makovsky (1870)

It is interesting that the outstanding singer Osip Afanasyevich Petrov (1807-1878) was an outstanding guitarist who studied with A. Sihra. The undoubted recognition of his achievements is evidenced by the fact that A. Sihra placed his arrangement of the Haberbir etude in his School. O. Petrov learned to play the guitar in early childhood. Interesting facts about this, as well as about the existence of guitars in Russian province, quotes V. Yastrebov: “It should be assumed that Petrov learned to play the guitar while still in the cellar... The guitar then enjoyed the general love of the urban population and only around 1830 gave way to the harmonica. Some guitarists reached remarkable perfection and became famous in several provinces; Kladovshchikov, who brought wine from the Don to Elizavetgrad, also belonged to such famous players; he himself became acquainted with this art in Moscow from some local virtuoso (from M. Vysotsky - A. Sh., L. M.), and from him... Petrov learned and learned so well that there was no best guitarist: “His fingers ran along the strings as if they were alive, in the words of one Elizavetgrad acquaintance, Osip Afanasyevich.”3

Of course, his uncle's cellar was not the place for a gifted young man. Chance brings him together with a visiting theater troupe, which he joins in 1826. On October 10, 1830, Petrov made his debut on the stage of the Mariinsky Theater in St. Petersburg. Hard work and talent soon made O. A. Petrov one of best performers opera parts.

The great singer loved the guitar until the end of his life. In St. Petersburg, he became a student of A. Sihra, having the most serious intentions regarding the guitar. He had friendly relations with V. Morkov, V. Sarenko and other guitarists.

The seven-string guitar had a great influence on the development of Russian romance lyrics. Accompanied by a guitar, romances were sung both in a high-society salon, and in the modest home of a craftsman, and sometimes in a peasant hut!

The seven-string guitar also had a certain influence on Russian piano music; this can be seen especially clearly in the work of A. Dubuc, who, impressed by the playing of M. Vysotsky, began to actively develop folklore material.

Late XVIII—mid XIX centuries- the heyday of the art of playing the seven-string guitar, a unique cultural layer of enduring value.

Notes

1 See: Ladies' magazine. 1827. No. 7. P. 18.
2 Guitarist. 1904. No. 5. P. 4.
3 Yastrebov V. Osip Afanasyevich Petrov/Russian antiquity. 1882. T. XXXVI.