FROM THE LEGACY OF N. A. RIMSKY-KORSAKOV: CONCERTO FOR TROMBONE AND BRASS BAND

Abstract

The article deals with the Concerto for Trombone and Brass Orchestra by N. A. Rimsky-Korsakov (1877) as one of the first compositions of this genre in Russia. The context of the work is created by the composer's own concert works and early scores for trombone and orchestra by European masters (G. Wagenseil, L. Mozart, F. David). A brief digression into history allowed us to mention the authors who have included trombones in opera scores (D. Meyerbeer, R. Wagner) and to name J. Raff, who was one of the first to use trombones in his violin, cello and piano concerts. It is emphasized that Rimsky-Korsakov's Concerto displays some important properties of F. Liszt's and M. Glinka's writing principles, there is a tangible reliance on the traditions of his contemporaries — M. Balakirev and P. Tchaikovsky. The result is an original, colourful concert composition, which shows the different possibilities of a solo instrument, including its virtuoso and cantilena, capable of revealing the lyrical content of the images. The Concerto's cadences are highlighted with a clear reminder of opera recitative scenes. A detailed analysis of the musical text is given, the specificity of its musical language is identified.