Tchaikovsky. Swan Lake (fragments, description).
The White Swan by Tchaikovsky
The famous musician I. Stravinsky revered P.I. Tchaikovsky, first of all, as a ballet composer.
All three of Tchaikovsky's ballets (Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty and The Nutcracker) were inspired by fairy tales.
Presumably, the literary basis for the libretto for the ballet "Swan Lake" could serve as a romantic fairy tale by the German writer Museus "Swan Pond", as well as "Ondine" by Lamotte-Fouquet - Zhukovsky. Both of these works reflect the themes and images of romantic art - the desire for the ideal and the impossibility of finding it. The author of the libretto of "Swan Lake" is not known (but it is assumed that the composer himself could well have been the author).
Tchaikovsky worked intermittently on this ballet for one year - he began in May 1975 and finished in April 1876. The premiere took place on the stage of the Moscow Bolshoi Theater on February 20, 1877.
For a new production in 1894, after the death of the composer,
M.I. Tchaikovsky wrote a new libretto, which became the basis for the productions of Swan Lake in the 20th century. theaters around the world.
Tchaikovsky's "White Swan" is still a symbol of Russian ballet, a symbol of its purity, grandeur, its noble beauty.
The plot of the ballet "Swan Lake" is based on a simple and
unpretentious German fairy tale about the swan girl. This fairy tale was
turned by the composer into an exciting poem about true love. Written
the ballet was commissioned by the directorate of the Moscow Bolshoi Theatre. Creation
ballet fell on those years when the composer already enjoyed a wide
popular in music circles. Rich writing experience
left its mark on the composer's understanding of the role of music in ballet
performance. The premiere of the ballet took place in 1877 on the stage of the Moscow
Bolshoi Theatre. Speaking about the style of Tchaikovsky's ballet music, one should
emphasize its melodism, lyricism, fantastic images were
reflection of images of the real world, they are endowed with living human
feelings.
Action one. Scene 1. Young Prince Siegfried has reached
coming of age. Friends gathered for him. In the light music of this picture, the melodious, soulful music of the "Waltz" is especially remembered.
Picture 2. White swans are beautiful girls, bewitched
evil genius - Rothbart. Only at night they turn into people.
The swans lead Siegfried into a deep forest, to the shore of a dark lake,
near which rise the ruins of a gloomy castle.
A flock of white swans floats on the lake. In front of a swan, crowned
crown. Coming ashore, the swans spin in a slow round dance. Siegfried
sees the swan queen suddenly turn into a girl. Her beauty
charms the prince, and he swears eternal love to the swan girl Odette.
Only a sincere feeling can save Odette and her friends from evil
Rothbart charm. A large dance scene appears, consisting of both
individual and group dances.
A lyrical waltz is heard, and then a light, graceful “Dance of the Little Swans”.
The music of the dance of the little swans is very simple and at the same time
attractive. Tchaikovsky made excellent use of sounds here
woodwind instruments. The jerky, light sounds of two oboes and
the bassoons accompanying them reproduce "treading light" graceful and
well-coordinated movements of dancing little swans.
"Dance of Odette" (the so-called "Adagio") is a sincere
poetic declaration of love. Solo violin sounds and transparent
harp chords convey the lyrical feeling of Odette and Siegfried.
Action two. Solemn ball
Solemn ball in the castle of the sovereign princess. Invited guests gather for the feast. They enter to music written by the composer in the character of a fast march.
Six girls appear, of which Siegfried must choose his bride.
In this action, the dances of various
nationalities. "Polish mazurka" - three-part, with characteristic
stomping in the extreme parts has a sharp rhythmic dotted
drawing, in the middle - a melodious character, graceful, soft,
feminine theme.
"Hungarian dance" is written in the character of the Hungarian national
chardash. It begins with a calm, restrained melody, which
playing violins. As in any csardas, the next part of the Hungarian
dance - fast, swift, whirlwind dance.
"Spanish dance" is sustained in a characteristic national rhythm
bolero. The composer introduces Spanish folk into the music of this dance.
percussion instrument - castanets.
In "Neapolitan Dance" (in the first part) Tchaikovsky
used an authentic folk melody. It is performed by a brass
instrument - pipe. The second part is more danceable, festive, in the spirit of
Italian tarantella - fast, swift dance, is-
filled with one or more pairs.
"Russian Dance" It begins with a calm, restrained melody, which
playing violins.
But where is Siegfried himself? The guests are confused. Then the jester starts merry
dancing. All guests are dancing.
Finally, Siegfried appears. He coldly turns away from the girls,
waiting for him to recognize among them the chosen one, Siegfried is full
memories of the beautiful Odette.
Suddenly, an unknown guest appears. This is Evil Genius.
He brought his daughter Odile to the ball, strikingly resembling
Odette. The Evil Genius orders her to charm Siegfried and snatch from him
declaration of love.
The prince, not recognizing the Evil Genius, takes Odile for
his beloved - Odette. He announces his decision to his mother
to marry her.
The sorcerer triumphs. Oath broken, now Odette and her
friends will die. At this time, Odette appears in the window. Siegfried in
despair. But it's too late. With an evil laugh, the sorcerer disappears with
Odile.
Siegfried realizes that he has been deceived and hurries to the swan lake.
Action three. Shore of the swan lake. A dark, disturbing night.
Girlfriends are waiting for Odette, she is still not there. The swan girls are worried. Appears
grief-stricken Odette. She tells her friends about the betrayal of the prince.
The last hope of freeing the swans from evil spells is lost.
The Evil Genius appears. Swans ask to be released from evil spells at least
one Odette, but all in vain. Noticing the approach of the prince, the Evil Genius in
furious disperses the swans.
Prince Siegfried runs in. He is looking for his Odette. But reappeared
swans close Odette from the prince, do not let him see her. Finally, the prince
manages to find Odette and assure her that he has not broken his oath and that in
castle, his confession was addressed only to her, because he accepted Odile
for Odette.
Evil Genius, seeing that his plan is collapsing, in a rage causes formidable
forces of nature. A storm starts, lightning flashes, but nothing can
break young pure love and separate Odette and Siegfried.
Entered into single combat with the prince, the Evil Genius dies. His spell
are crumbling.
The third act begins with a musical introduction in which
Tchaikovsky painted a picture of a violently raging nature. She is
simultaneously symbolizes the strength of the feelings of Odette and Siegfried. Then this
an excited picture of nature is replaced by the theme of a swan, turning into
bright, solemn, victorious finale.