Ancient Russia… You close your eyes, and the following picture appears: an old man - a storyteller with a harp behind his back, walking into the distance, in a long linen shirt, belted with a patterned cord, next to him is a guide boy. A dry wind sways the feather grass, and they move across the steppe towards the squad, in front of which they will sing majestic tonic verses, with a chant and an outcome, glorifying the mighty heroes, raising the military spirit … And then they will go further, spreading the news about the greatness of the military deeds of the defenders of their native land. And also - Ilya Muromets on a heroic tricolor horse, stands like a rock against the adversaries of the Russian Land. One against countless rati, against evil spirits such as Nightingale the Robber, Idolishche, Tugarin…
Historical songs: Grade 8
This topic is included in the program of educational institutions in the "Literature" section for grade 8. Therefore, this publication will be useful for teachers and students. The main questions that will be discussed in the article:
- The origins of the historical song: epic.
- What is a historical song.
- Genre affiliation and features. The difference between songs and epics.
- Relationship between historical processes and the content of songs.
- Basic cycles.
Epic - the forerunner of a historical song
Someone may be surprised to ask: "And where does the epics, after all, an article about what a historical song is?". The answer is simple: it was the epics, with their melodiousness, a special versification, called the epic, their, paradoxically, mythological, anticipated the development of a later type of folk art - the historical song. They have a lot in common, for example, the form of versification, the structure with chants and repetitions, especially in the early versions of songs, and they belong to the same section of literature - to oral folk art. Why are they usually divided into two different genres? We invite you to a virtual lesson "Historical songs: origins and development", let's try to figure it out together.
Definition
What is a historical song? The definition is as follows: lyric-epic oral folk songs dedicated to historical events. They are smaller compared to epics. Unlike epics, they are deprived of the element of mythologization of the images of heroes. But in the period of their origin and development, both of these genres were called the same: "old people". The first historical songs date back to the first half of the 14th century. Early songs were about the invasion of the Tatar-Mongols in Russia and the oppression of the people, which was created by the conquerors. For example, the story about the Tatar captivity in "Avdotya-Ryazanochka".
Genre features
What is a historical song in literature - a definition that is still conditional: philologists are still arguing about whether these works of folk art are a separate genre. There are those among scientists who believe that historical songs are simply works of different genres, united by one theme. The following definition became a compromise: it is a single genre with different groups of songs that do not resemble each other in structure. After all, they developed over a period of four centuries: from the 14th to the 19th centuries. Therefore, historically, the songs now called "early songs" differ significantly from what they composed in the 19th century in subject matter and in form.
XIV-XV centuries
The impetus for the development of the historical song genre was the capture of Russia by hordes of nomads and the difficult life under the yoke of strangers who killed, robbed, and drove people into captivity.
The song "Shchelkan Dudentevich" is being created, which tells about the uprising of the inhabitants of Tver against the Tatar Chol Khan and his horde, and the cycle about the capture of Ryazan by Batu Khan.
XVI century
During this period, the historical song becomes the main musical genre. Remember the scene from the comedy "Ivan Vasilyevich Changes Profession"? Singers singing about the "dog - the Crimean Khan" during the feast - this is a common occurrence intime, and this song is a real-life vocal work "And not a strong cloud clouded up", which tells about the raid of the Tatars and the battle of Mlody.
The formation of a young, centralized state, the colorful Tsar Ivan the Terrible, his activities: progressive international and terrible, despotic domestic, Yermak's conquest of Siberia - this is what people sang about then.
Cycles of historical songs of the 16th century: "About the capture of Kazan", "About the murder of Tsarevich Ivan the Terrible", "About Yermak"
XVII century
The beginning of the 17th century in history is called "Times of Troubles". During this period of Russian history, a lot of tragic events take place: Poland attacks Russia, Ivan the Terrible dies, the battle for the Russian throne begins, a series of impostors appears. The most famous of them are False Dmitry, Grigory Otrepiev. To top it all off, there is a powerful popular uprising led by Razin.
Historical songs of this period, like a mirror, reflected all the vicissitudes of history. For the first time, people sang about the liberation from the power of the unjust king, and hope for a better future sounded. A cycle of songs about Razin has formed.
Besides, the theme of protecting the southern borders of Russia from the Janissaries and Tatars sounds in the songs: "Prisoner of Azov", "Mistake of the Cossacks". The feat of ordinary people who fought against the "enemies of the Russian land" is ex alted: songs about Minin and Pozharsky.
XVIII century
In RussiaIn the 8th century, the reforms of Peter I completely change the way of life of many people. The attitude of the people to what is happening in the country is ambiguous: the introduction of European customs, incomprehensible and alien, increases the burden on ordinary people who are massively sent to work at the shipyards and the construction of Northern Venice, new canons of faith are introduced, and any attempt to raise a riot is brutally suppressed: the fate of the rebellious archers is pitiful. But at the same time, people from a simple estate appear, who became close to the king, "made their way into the people." The Russian state grows into the Russian Empire and becomes a strong country that can stand. Later, after a series of palace coups, the brilliant era of Catherine begins, during whose reign a peasant war broke out under the leadership of Pugachev.
Accordingly, all this is reflected in historical songs. The songs "About Tsar Peter" are especially popular. It is indicative that fairy tales are composed about Peter I.
The shock of the peasant war resulted in a song cycle about Emelyan Pugachev.
The bright military star of Suvorov also served to create many legends and songs about this commander. Songs about soldiers and their valor gained popularity.
19th century
The time has come when the historical song for the people acquired the status of "ancient". At this time, old songs are re-sung in a new way. Plots for new works were added by the Russian-Persian (1804-1813), Patriotic (1812), Russian-Turkish (1828-1829) wars. In the songs of this timethere are such generals as Kutuzov, Nakhimov, Platov.
However, it was in the 19th century that the ancient Russian epic began to be actively recorded and studied by folklorists, a definition of what a historical song was and a classification by topic appeared. At the beginning of the 20th century, thanks to the efforts of the enthusiastic researcher Miller and the Academy of Sciences, the first song collection was published, which included works from the 16th-17th centuries.
The role of historical songs in culture
The epic heritage of Russia, in particular historical songs, a huge layer of original culture. Firstly, they have a truly folk soul, and this is important for preserving the memory of their roots. Secondly, songs are of great interest to historians and philologists, as they help to more accurately represent the events of ancient times, find out what changes the Russian language has undergone over many hundreds of years, and explore ancient poetic forms.
Conclusion
For better assimilation of the voluminous literary theme "Historical Songs", the 8th grade must be set up to repeat what was learned in history lessons. The ideal option for conducting classes on this topic is the integrated lessons "Literature - History", "Literature - Music".
