| Glinka's piano music was the first national, professionally written keyboard music in Russia. Although his piano influences were substantially Italian and German models, he had a great interest in the heritage of Russian folk music and explored ways of using it in composition. His path was followed and developed by almost all Russian composers of the late nineteenth and twentieth centuries.; The time between the late eighteenth and early nineteenth century appears as a peculiar historical period in Russia with regard to piano composition. With virtually no established national tradition, numerous genres emerged in Russian solo piano writing. Many foreign musicians, who worked in Russia at that time, played an important role of influence and education in Russian musical culture.; In addition to inspiration from his domestic musical environment, Glinka gained many impressions and experiences during his extensive travel. His keyboard compositions absorbed most of these Western influences. The majority of his piano variations are based on operatic and vocal genres. They also deserve special attention as the most substantial keyboard works, not only among Glinka's piano compositions, but generally in Russia at that time.; Glinka's short biography is described in Chapter 1 and an historical overview of the state of Russian musical culture in the 1730s--1840s is given in Chapter 2. Chapter 3 of the monograph deals with Glinka's style, his approach to solo piano music, and his treatment of the instrument as a medium. It includes discussion about the impact of his studies, travel, and his interest in vocal music on his piano writing.; Chapter 4 is dedicated to analysis of Glinka's piano compositions, with an emphasis on the variations. Glinka also wrote mazurkas, waltzes, nocturnes, fugues, and other short piano pieces, which are primarily of pedagogical value. Finally, Chapter 5 provides an overview of Glinka's keyboard works, influences, and contributions to Russian music and culture. |
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