Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky "The march of wooden soldiers"
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky is a great Russian composer who, with his work, made an invaluable contribution to the development of not only Russian, but also the entire world musical culture. Writing magnificent works in various genres, he embodied his unique talent in each of them. Tchaikovsky's music is a whole world, which the outstanding maestro expressed in captivating sounds. The composer’s creative legacy is large, but a particularly important place in it is occupied by compositions that he wrote for young musicians, such as, for example, the children's album piano series. Twenty-four marvelous miniatures in the collection tell in a picturesque way about one day in the life of a child, filled with fascinating activities, tales of a kind nurse and favorite toys, such as little toy soldiers. In an effort to please the young performers, Pyotr Ilyich decided that the miniature called “The March of Wooden Soldiers” must necessarily be included in the collection of children's plays.
The history of the creation of the play of Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky "The March of Wooden Soldiers", as well as the musical content of the work, read on our page.
History of creation
The history of the creation of the miniature "The March of the Wooden Soldiers" is inseparably linked with the emergence of the collection of piano pieces for young performers "Children's Album", written by Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky from May to July 1878. At that time, the composer stayed with her sister Alexandra Ilyinichna, who, together with her husband Lev Vasilievich and their children, lived in the large Kamenka estate belonging to a large Davydov family. This estate, located not far from Kiev, was a favorite place of an outstanding maestro.
Cozy home furnishings and picturesque nature disposed him to create outstanding works. Second, third, fourth symphony, operas: The Oprichnik, Vakula,Eugene Onegin"as well as the famous ballet Swan Lake" - by that time, Tchaikovsky created all these magnificent masterpieces in Kamenka. However, there was another reason why the composer sought out on the estate - these are his seven adored nephews and nieces. Peter Ilyich treated them like his own children: he loved and indulged, each time bringing and giving many gifts. Young relatives also looked forward to the arrival of his beloved uncle, because he was so interesting to talk about his travels in different countries. Together they had fun: they played and walked, fired fireworks, arranged dance evenings. Communicating with children, their pranks and merry chatter so amused the composer that he felt extraordinarily happy.
It was in such an endearing heart of Tchaikovsky that the “Children's album” piano miniature cycle appeared, but its creation was preceded by a series of unpleasant events that occurred a year before in the composer’s personal life. In July 1877, Tchaikovsky committed a rash act by marrying Antonina Milyukova. The spouse with her hysterical character disappointed Peter Ilyich so much that he found himself on the verge of a strong nervous breakdown. To disperse the dark thoughts that could lead to the most unpredictable consequences, the composer decided to urgently change the situation and leave Russia for half a year. Traveling to Europe, Tchaikovsky cleared a little, but he did not have enough contact with close people, so he wrote to Brother Modest and suggested that he come to Italy. Modest responded to the request of his elder brother, but he arrived not alone, but with his deaf and dumb pupil Kolya Conradi.
Peter Ilyich had previously been acquainted with this boy, whom he described as very intelligent and meek in his liking. The composer liked to care for the boy, to work with him, to observe his reaction from the impressions that travel brought. However, Kohl was not the only child with whom Tchaikovsky spoke during his foreign travel. On the streets of Italian cities, he quite often met children who earned their living by giving performances to randomly assembled audiences. Pyotr Ilyich was particularly impressed by the Florentine boy Vittorio. Having a beautiful voice, he sang folk songs so sincerely that he forced the composer to sincerely admire his mastery. These are interesting acquaintances and pushed the composer to the idea of creating compositions that would help the creative development of young talents. Tchaikovsky and earlier drew attention to the fact that the repertoire used for teaching children is very poor. From what was deserved special attention "Album for the Young"- a collection of piano miniatures written by a German composer romantic Robert Schumann as a gift for his seven-year-old daughter Maria. Having caught fire with this idea, Peter Ilyich decided first of all to enlist the support of the head of the music publishing house, Peter Ivanovich Yurgenson, and in February 1878 sent him a letter. In his reply, the publisher approved the interesting and necessary idea of the composer.
In April 1878, Tchaikovsky, returning home, immediately went to Kamenka. On this visit, to which, as always, everyone was very happy and, above all, the children, Peter Ilyich especially carefully observed the musical activities of his nephews and nieces. Thus, he prepared himself to compose children's piano pieces, which, he believed, must have attractive titles.
Work on the cycle of children's miniatures, which included the above-mentioned work "March of wooden soldiers", Tchaikovsky began in late April, and completed in May. Then it took him another month and a half to edit the sketch of the entire collection. In July, Peter Ilyich sent the collection to the music publishing house Yurgenson, on the cover of which he made a note that he dedicated it to his beloved nephew Kolya Davydov. "Children's album. Collection of light pieces for children. Imitation of Schumann" was first printed on the eve of the new 1879
Contents of the "March of the Wooden Soldiers"
"March of wooden soldiers". In this funny and funny miniature, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky drew a military parade with a great sense of humor, in which little wooden soldiers are marching to the sound of miniature drums and flutes. Despite the lightness of sound, clear music vividly displays the brave and determined toy warriors, who smoothly coined the step on the parade-ground.
The play is written by the composer in the key of D major, in a simple reprisal three-part form, which can be reflected in the formula: A B A.
The whole theme of the composition, which has a vigorous marching character, is underlined by the accentuated dotted rhythm. Her melodic lines, accompanied by almost complete harmonization, gently intonationally rush up. In the first part, in order to deliberately emphasize the "toy" of music, the author exhibits a dynamic shade of pianissimo.
On average, the climax section of the work, where the sonority reaches the mezzo forte, the music takes on an alarming character. The main theme, presented here in a rather modified form, sounds a bit excited. The following thematic material of the third part repeats the first part.
The main difficulties encountered when learning the piano miniatures "March of the wooden soldiers".
- For the exact embodiment of the image of the work conceived by the composer, it is necessary to achieve a lightness of sound with a clear and elastic performance of the dotted rhythm and chords.
- Accented notes should only support the "toy" of music and not stand out from the general dynamic plan.
- Another technical difficulty in the play is rehearsals in the left-hand part at 8, 16 and 40 bars. Here you should definitely follow the applicative recommendations indicated in the text.
- Important in the work has pedalization. A short pedal for a strong beat helps to emphasize, as well as better perception of the sound of the texture.
“The March of Wooden Soldiers” - this piano piece by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, like all the plays of the “Children's Album”, is a miniature of not only high artistic, but also pedagogical value. In the work on creating the image conceived by the composer in the work, the young performer faces certain technical difficulties, the overcoming of which will help him in further creative development.
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