Michail Ivanovich Glinka – Sheet Music

If there was ever one musical personality who can be considered the father of Russian classical music, then it would almost certainly be Michail Ivanovich Glinka (1804-1857). Browse our sheet music and scores, and discover all of Glinka’s wonderful music with Stretta today!

His Life

Michail Ivanovich Glinka was born into a wealthy family, in the village of Novospasskoye near Smolensk. Thanks to his uncle, who played in an orchestra, Glinka was introduced to the works of the Viennese classical school at a young age. At thirteen, he was sent to St. Petersburg, where he developed his languages, and studied science and music. It was in St. Petersburg that he began to compose his first works. After leaving school, he took up a position as deputy secretary in the Ministry of Transport. Since this work was not demanding, Glinka had a lot of time to compose, and to meet other artists. Many of Glinka’s compositions date from this period.

His Travels in Europe

On the recommendation of his doctor, in 1830, Glinka decided to travel to Italy, where he spent a total of three years. Thanks to lessons at the Milan Conservatoire, he improved his compositional technique, and got to know some of the musical greats of his time, such as Mendelssohn and Berlioz. He also spent time in Vienna and Berlin. After the death of his father in 1836, Glinka returned home.

Back to his Homeland

In 1837, Glinka accepted a position as director of the Tsarist Church Choir, and a year later he began composing one of his masterpieces, the opera “Ruslan and Lyudmila ’, which is where Glinka’s true compositional style, which incorporates oriental and Russian folk melodies, began to take shape. However, the opera was initially not well received, and Glinka fell into a depression. His only consolation was his trips to Spain and France. One of the few artists who recognized the quality of Glinka’s work was Hector Berlioz, who performed several operas by Glinka in Paris, and wrote a glowing article about him in one of the main newspapers. Glinka spent the last months of his life in Berlin, where he died in 1857.

His Music

After the Glinka’s death, his operas were hotly debated in the press, and they gradually became more and more popular. His orchestral works (the symphonic poem Kamarinskaja on Russian subjects, the Spanish overture “Remembering a Summer Night in Madrid” and the brilliant overture to “Ruslan and Lyudmila”) became popular additions to the concert repertoire. Glinka’s romances, songs, chamber and piano works were became more and more popular.

Further links for Glinka’s Music

• Orchestral Works by M. Glinka
• Piano Pieces by M. Glinka
• Chamber Music by M. Glinka
• String Quartets by M. Glinka
• Vocal Sheet Music by M. Glinka
• Sheet Music Downloads by M. Glinka