Minimalism: «Russian Idea» of Nikolai Korndorf

Abstract:

The article is devoted to the music of Nikolai Korndorf – one of the most distinctive representatives of Russian music of the last quarter of the 20th century. The problem of the aesthetic originality inherent in N. Korndorf's style is viewed through the prism of minimalist ideas characteristic of the composer's musical expressions. How is this peculiarity manifested? What are the principles underlying this idiolect that may indicate its belonging to minimalism? What is the artistic idea that determined the choice of this compositional strategy? These and other questions aim the recipient in search of answers that should be sought both in the field of the artist's aesthetic ideas and in the field of his technique. It is considered on the example of selected works such as “Yarilo”, “Movements”, “Lullaby”, “Letter to V. Martynov and G. Pelecis”. The composer's musical works are also considered from the point of view of narrativity.

Key words

Russian musical minimalism, Nikolai Korndorf, repetitiveness in music, addition, pattern, narrativity