Ivanovka is the Monument of Russian Musical Culture
The world famous composer, pianist and conductor, the prominent specimen
of the realistic trend in Russian music Sergei Vasilievich
Rakhmaninov was closely associated with the Tambov region. Since
1890 till 1917 he annually spent spring, summer and often autumn in
Ivanovka. It was the country-house of his relatives, the Satins.
The Satins were the hospitable people. In Ivanovka S.Rakhmaninov met with
the Skalons, Zilotis, Trubnikovs. Rakhmaninov liked Ivanovka, its gardens,
large shady park, ponds, clear air and fragrance of wild flowers. Even abroad
he was taken with Ivanovka. It was his favourite place for rest, a small part
of his motherland, where he became the great musician. When Rakhmaninov left
Russia, he hadn't composed for a long time. As he said, he lost himself, his
musical roots, traditions and had no more wish to create. Russia was kept
in his mind for the rest of his life. Ivanovka played an important part in
appearance of his characteristic Russian musical pictures. Created in Ivanovka,
Rakhmaninov's picturesque views are remarkable for their emotional state.
In his compositions he affected all his notions about his Motherland -
Russian man's nature, his thoughts and songs. In any case the most part of
his compositions had to do with Ivanovka. Some of them were composed there,
the othres arranged for instruments and prepared to print. Rakhmaninov's
intentions were concieved, natured and realized in Ivanovka. There he much
played piano and perfected his scills. In Ivanovka the composer indulged
in agriculture: he tried to grade up strain of cattle, to bring into use
new agricultural implements. He liked riding, driving and motor boating.
Thus, a small village of Ivanovka, forgotten in a steppe, was at that time
a remarkable center of Russian musical life. All this makes Ivanovka the
historical place, which is worthy of being to immortalize.
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