Wenlong Zhang, Xiaolin Wang*
Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China.
*Corresponding author: Xiaolin Wang
Abstract
Rimsky-Korsakov composed his second symphony, "Antar," in 1868. This work is the first multi-movement programmatic symphony in Russian music. The article analyzes the original 1868 version of "Antar" within the context of Rimsky-Korsakov's career and the influences that shaped his style. It demonstrates that "Antar" is both a culmination of Rimsky-Korsakov's apprenticeship in Balakirev's circle and a precursor to his mature compositional theories. Rimsky-Korsakov, a key member of "The Mighty Handful," is renowned among the world's great composers for his vivid orchestration and imaginative oriental themes. His musical works emphasize a seamless integration with literature and visual arts, reflecting a strong sense of programmatic narrative and pictorial elements. He often combined Western forms with folk music material, using diverse compositional techniques to develop his works and express musical drama. He incorporated rich colors and sounds, as well as a variety of musical textures, to convey genuine emotion. His music exhibits a strong Russian national character and oriental flair, particularly evident in his symphonic works that frequently portray folk legends from everyday life.
References
Dong Lingxiang. "Analysis and Study of Rimsky-Korsakov's 'Scheherazade" [D]. Shanxi University, 2020(01).
Ling Ying. "Musical Structural Characteristics of the Second Movement in Rimsky-Korsakov's Symphonic Suite Scheherazade" [J]. Art Evaluation, 2021, (21):49-51+56.
Liu Haitao. "Research on Rimsky-Korsakov's Symphonic Compositions" [D]. Northwest Normal University, 2011(01).
Nicolas Krusek. Rimsky-Korsakov's "Antar" Symphony: A Biographical and Analytical Study [D]. Vancouver: The University of British Columbia, 2014.
Peng Cheng. "Qian Renkang's Contribution and Influence on the Chinese Translation of Russian Harmony Textbooks: Study Notes on 'Recommended Practical Harmony Manual" [J]. Music Life, 2021, (05):10-14.
Rimsky-Korsakov. Translated by Wu Peihua. "My Musical Life" [M]. Shanghai: Shanghai Music Publishing House, 1988, p. 89.
Schoenberg. Translated by Luo Zhongrong."Schoenberg's Theory of Harmony" [M]. Shanghai: Shanghai Music Publishing House, 2007, p. 39.
Yan Huiqing. "Examining the Vocal Romantic Style and Performance of Rimsky-Korsakov through Three Works" [D]. Wuhan Conservatory of Music, 2023.
Yasuko Nohara. "The Encounter between Berlioz and the Russian Music Scene: Tracing the Threads Connecting 'Symphonie Fantastique' and 'Scheherazade'." Musashino Academia Musicae Journal, 50, 63-89, March 31, 2019.
Yu Runyang. A History of Western Music [M]. Shanghai: Shanghai Music Publishing House, 2023.
How to cite this paper
Pitch Organization Analysis of the Symphony "Antar"
How to cite this paper: Wenlong Zhang, Xiaolin Wang. (2024) Pitch Organization Analysis of the Symphony "Antar". Journal of Humanities, Arts and Social Science, 8(6), 1531-1535.
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.26855/jhass.2024.06.040