Among the numerous orchestral works, the overture takes its place. The meaning of the word in translation from the Latin language (apertura) is "discovery" or "beginning".
The appearance of the overture on the musical horizon
Since the first appearance of this musical form in the beginning of the XVII century as an introductory part to the opera Orpheus by the Italian composer Monteverde, the term became so popular that it became a household word. The threshold of something future is the overture. Most often this term is considered as a translation from the French expression ouverture, which means "introduction". After the first appearance, the fashion for such an anticipation, explaining the ensuing music, was quickly picked up by European musicians, especially France. There was even the concept of "French overture", in contrast to the Italian. They differed from each other in the pace of execution of individual parts - the initial, middle and final. The dispute was not won by any of the parties, and the right to exist has received both kinds of this orchestral work.
A vivid example of domestic overture
Developing and improving, the musical introduction has turned into an independent work, and not only orchestral. Examples of the overture of this species is the grandiose work of PI Tchaikovsky, dedicated to the fateful event of Russian history - the victory over Napoleon. In addition to the orchestra, there are bells and choruses, and the "Inaugural Overture in the Memory of 1812" implements gun volleys. Only in this way was it possible to identify and emphasize the popularity of the winning army in the world and the significance of victory itself. In this case, a grandiose piece of music - that's what the overture is.
The need for the emergence of
And such an introductory part was originally conceived as a third call. That is, giving viewers the opportunity to settle in their seats and internally, focusing on sounding music, prepare to listen to the work. Of course, the talent of the composer determines everything, and some overtures are so beautiful that they live an independent life in the section "Popular classical music". Vivid examples are the vestibule of Bizet's operas Carmen and Leoncavallo The Pagliacci. The story of the tragic fate of the heroes, the cruelty to which unrequited love and jealousy, transmitted with the help of very beautiful music, is what the overture is in this particular case.
Musical introduction to works of art
The list of musical things that serve as an introduction to purely dramatic works, is supplemented by music to the drama Goethe "Egmont", written by Beethoven. Another glory was acquired by his other overture to the play "Coriolanus" by Collin. No less known is Balakirev's musical introduction to Shakespeare's tragedy "King Lear" and Mendelssohn to the comedy "A Midsummer Night's Dream". In general, the overtures of the last named composer overshadowed many of the dramatic works to which they were written.
The contribution of geniuses to the popularity of overture
All musical authorities - Lully, Scarlatti, Gluck, Mozart, Rossini - worked on perfecting the form, the accuracy of conveying the meaning and mood of the ensuing opera, ballet or other work. It's simply impossible to list all of them. Domestic composers Gliere, Khachaturian, Shostakovich are authors of solemn, festive, welcoming overtures. The musical beginning of any major work, which clearly conveys its essence - this is what the overture is. A separate word deserves all the music, including the introductory part, Robert Schumann to the work of Byron "Manfred", as well as the preliminary parts for operas Cherubini, the entry of the Ukrainian composer Lysenko to the opera "Taras Bulba". Even if you casually mention all the great music masters who contributed to the development of this genre, there will not be enough time and space left.
Musically the introduction to the films is the second birth of the overture
But the overtures to films deserve separate words and attention. Who from the people living in the post-Soviet space does not know the music for the film "The Children of Captain Grant", released in 1936? This overture is so good that it was saved in the series (1985), dedicated to the search for the same captain. And who now does not know the overture to the Phantom of the Opera? In the early 70-ies of the XX century, the Soviet viewer was unable to view the acclaimed musical "West Side Story" of Bernstein. But very many people knew music, especially the overture. Domestic films that have become famous due to the musical accompaniment to the credits, a lot. In the movie, the overtures create a special atmosphere, make the film more memorable. What is the introductory music to all the series about Harry Potter!
Very often recently this term occurs in the names of popular cartoon, feature films and documentaries. An example is the anime about the heroes of the Galaxy. It occurs in the titles of articles, especially political ones. Given the features of our time, we can say that we all live on the eve of something grand, that our whole life is an overture.