Abstract

The subject of the article is the role of M.A. Balakirev in the development of Russian musical culture. The purpose of the article is to analyze the multifaceted activities of M.A. Balakirev, whom history itself has put forward to accomplish great things for the benefit of musical culture and musical education in Russia. In accordance with the theme and purpose, the following methods were used: retrospective analysis of the musical life of Russia in the second half of the XIX – early XX centuries; analysis of memoir sources of M.A. Balakirev's contemporaries; generalization of modern scientific research on the topic stated in the article. The methodology of the research consists of : memoirs of students and associates of M.A. Balakirev – Ts.A. Kui, N.A. Rimsky-Korsakov, V.V. Stasov; memoirs of Russian researchers – P.D. Bobrykin, Yu.V. Vasiliev, E.M. Gordeeva, Yu.V. Keldysh, I.F. Kunin. The novelty of the research lies in the identification of aesthetic contradictions between the established approach not only in the creative association of composers, but also in the musical art of that era. The materials of the article can be included in the course of lectures and seminars on the history of Russian music, advanced training courses for music teachers, teachers of secondary specialized and higher educational institutions. The conclusions of the study are : the purpose and creative activity of the composers of the "Mighty Bunch" under the leadership of M.A. Balakirev is characterized as a reflection of the Russian democratic culture of the era of revolutionary populism; the activity of the creative community "Mighty Bunch" is presented as embodying the ideological platform of the new Russian direction in music of the XIX century; the main methods of "composer" training and education applied by M.A. Balakirev.