“Meditating musician”: musical and critical articles by M.F. Gnesin in the provincial periodical of the 1910s

Musical and critical articles by the prominent Russian composer and music teacher Mikhail Gnesin, published by him in the periodicals of Ekaterinodar and Rostov-on-Don in 1913-1916, are among the least studied in his creative heritage. He began to work in the province after graduating from the St.-Petersburg Conservatory. It was a conscious step that continued the ideas about the public education of his teacher, Nikolay Rimsky-Korsakov. However, he did not immediately see the possibility of developing a musical culture and educational work by means of regional time-based publications. In the provincial press of the early twentieth century, musical enlightenment was still in its infancy. With a high degree of probability, it can be argued that Gnesin in Rostov from January to June 1916 was a freelance employee of the newspaper “Rostovskaya rech'” (“Rostov speech”). A study conducted by the authors made it possible to identify previously unknown materials, as well as to clarify the names and dates of publication of some articles presented earlier in the Gnesin's List of literary works. A significant number of publications are signed by the full name of their author. However, there are articles that have been signed by cryptonyms. Thus, today Gnesin's 41 journalistic material of various genres, published in the provincial press of the pre-revolutionary period, is known. This amount allows you to make a comprehensive analysis and classification. The influence on the formation of Gnesin, the publicist of musical-critical works, Vladimir Stasov, was established. Gnesin's journalistic style features include benevolence, an enlightening focus, simplicity of language, frequent citation of works by other musical figures of Russia, “fiery” statements, viewing the province's musical culture through a slice of the country's best music and artists. At the same time, Gnesin's musical and critical activity, reflecting his aesthetic views and tastes, went in parallel with the composer's work itself.

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