There is probably no resident in the Russian capital who has never seen a monument to Tchaikovsky. Moscow is the largest cultural center, therefore, one way or another, many here often attend concerts within the walls of the Moscow Conservatory, and to someone simply along the way. But each time passing by, it is impossible not to notice this unique sculpture dedicated to the work of the greatest Russian composer.
Moscow Conservatory and Tchaikovsky
Moreover, the question of why Tchaikovsky was captured at the walls of this educational institution can arise only for a person who is truly far from the world of art. There was nothing surprising in the fact that the institution was named after Pyotr Ilyich in 1940.
An outstanding author of several hundred works, including symphonies, operas and ballets, has received worldwide recognition. From the first days of the Moscow Conservatory, he tried to convey a piece of his talent to each student, diligently engaged in teaching activities within its walls from year to year. In addition, the composer himself said: "… This inspiration is such a guest who does not like to visit the lazy …".
The idea of creating a monument
Despite the fact that the creation process was not easy, the monument to P.I. Tchaikovsky can confidently be considered a successful work, because the author managed to achieve the main thing - the image allows the viewer to feel the music, the birth of every sound. Creation has a monumental, grandiose appearance, which deeply impresses anyone who sees it.
The history of the creation of sculptural creation began in 1929. Then, in the house-museum of Klin near Moscow, director N. Zhegin asked the beginning, but very talented artist in the field of sculpture, Vera Mukhina about creating a bust of the great composer. Having completed her work, Vera Ignatyevna could not have imagined that after 16 years she would again work on the image of a musical master, but now she would have to realize a larger project - a monument to Tchaikovsky.
The first version of the future sculpture
By that time, Mukhina, being a honored master in the entire USSR and one of a small circle of female sculptors, already had her own ideas about the creation of the monument. Initially, she saw the image of a composer conducting while standing in front of invisible orchestra musicians. But it was not possible to complete the monument to Tchaikovsky at the Moscow Conservatory in this way. This idea required huge space for its implementation, and the modest courtyard along Bolshaya Nikitskaya Street did not fully meet its plan. In addition, the talent of Pyotr Ilyich was not limited to conducting alone.
Changes made
Having radically changed direction, Vera Ignatievna proposed new sketches of the future sculpture, according to which the monument to Tchaikovsky should stand out from the total number of attractions by the originality of the composition. This option involved an image of a seated classic, conveniently located in an armchair in front of the console with an open music notebook. The artist intended to convey the image of the creator, gifted with inspiration in the process of creating her works. When he sees it, it seems that Pyotr Ilyich is counting the rhythm with his left hand, and with his right hand is holding a pencil ready to capture a creative impulse on paper at any time.
However, this vision of the future monument caused a lot of controversy. The comments made by Mukhina concerned, first of all, the static posture of Tchaikovsky. He seemed to freeze in some kind of unnatural tension. It was also decided to change the pedestal. It was enlarged and made of red materials instead of the prevailing gray colors. The ideal stone for this purpose was considered red granite.
Description of the monument to the great composer
The Tchaikovsky Monument is executed according to the idea of the sculptor from bronze. Around the monument, there was a rounded marble bench, which hospitably accommodates students on warm days during the “windows”, people making appointments at this place. The fence of the monument to Tchaikovsky also deserves special attention. On the idea of the author, it is a bronze lattice forged with elements of a musician. Symbolizing world fame and recognition, the stave at the bar contains several famous fragments from the composer's masterpieces. These are excerpts from the opera Eugene Onegin, and the main motive from the ballet Swan Lake, and the solo melody from the Sixth Symphony and much more. Along the edges of the fence of the monument to Tchaikovsky harp, decorated with drapery.
Grand opening of the monument
In 1954, finally, the monument to Tchaikovsky was completed, and the sculpture was installed near the walls of the conservatory in the center of Moscow. The creator failed to open the monument. Vera Ignatyevna Mukhina did not live up to this momentous event, having died a year before him. But despite the fact that the main sculptor could not see the long-awaited result of her meticulous work, her students were able to bring the matter to its logical conclusion. Zavarzin A.A. and Savitsky D.B. made efforts to achieve the long-awaited design of the composition. Thanks to them, Muscovites can still observe the very monument to Tchaikovsky. The attraction, in general, looks large-scale and rather unusual.
Student legends and interesting facts
The capital’s leadership is sensitive to the city’s cultural heritage, which includes the “bronze” Peter Ilyich. Not so long ago, restoration activities were carried out commemorative sculpture and work on the ennoblement of the adjacent territory. The surprise of specialists in the course of these works knew no bounds. They found the absence of a pencil in Tchaikovsky’s right hand. Also, some bronze notes from the wrought-iron fence disappeared somewhere. The first thing that comes to mind is the prosperity of vandalism in Moscow. Although on the other hand, it is completely unclear who needed these elements.
It turns out that everything is simple and without a share of drama. Among student musicians, there is one belief. According to him, every student of the conservatory who wants to successfully pass the upcoming exam session, win the competition or pass an audition, must visit the memorial monument on the eve of the upcoming test. The musicians also argue that, looking at the sculpture from top to bottom, it is easy to notice the "farm." This is one of the signs of musical notation, meaning stopping the sound. It is likely that the missing details were needed by students or tourists as talismans that bring good luck. Although the monument to Tchaikovsky helps to achieve success not only to musicians, but also to other cultural figures.
By the way, soon after discovering a lack of details, the sights returned all the necessary elements.
