The library of the Belarusian State Academy of Music presents a thematic exhibition “Man-epoch – Anatoly Vasilyevich Bogatyrev”: dedicated to the 110th anniversary of the composer’s birth (August 13, 1913 – September 19, 2003).
There is such a thing as “Man is an epoch”. So they usually call those who have walked the earth, leaving not just a good mark, but paved the way for new generations. In the musical culture of Belarus, such a person was Anatoly Bogatyrev, whose name symbolizes an entire era. His work was an impulse for Belarusian music and became the foundation of the musical culture of Belarus.
A.Bogatyrev – Honored Artist of the BSSR (1940), Honored Arts Worker of the BSSR (1944), People’s Artist of the BSSR (1968), Professor (1960), Honorary Member of the International Slavic Academy of Sciences, Education, Art and Culture (1996), Honorary Doctor of the Belarusian State Academy of Music (2002)
A.Bogatyrev entered the great art with the cantata “The Tale of the She-bear” (1937) with lyrics by A.Pushkin. Two years later, the opera “In the Forests of Polesie” appeared based on the story “The Bog” by Ya.Kolas, which was staged at the State Opera and Ballet Theater of the BSSR (1939) and successfully shown at the Bolshoi Theater of the USSR as part of the First Decade of Belarusian Art and Literature in Moscow (1940). For it, A.Bogatyrev was awarded the State Prize of the USSR (1941). The versatility of the composer’s talent also manifested itself in the cantata “Belarusian Songs” (1967), awarded the State Prize of the BSSR (1969).
Anatoly Bogatyrev is a deeply national composer, whose creative image was formed under the direct influence of Belarusian folklore and poetry of famous national poets Ya.Kupala, Ya.Kolas, M.Bogdanovich, P.Brovka, N.Gilevich, A.Kuleshov, M.Tank. The composer also turned to the poetry of G.Akhmatova, M.Lermontov, T.Shevchenko, W.Shakespeare, S.Yesenin. The musical works by A.Bogatyrev are imbued with Belarusian folk song intonation, warmth and expressive sound.
Being the Rector of the Belarusian State Conservatory (1948-1962), Head of the Composition Department (1967-1997), Anatoly Bogatyrev successfully combined creative and pedagogical activities. Broad erudition, good knowledge of the theoretical and practical foundations of composition technique, symphonic and choral writing, features of musical dramaturgy were unique features of Anatoly Bogatyrev’s pedagogy. Among his students are People’s Artists of the USSR and the BSSR: E.Glebov, I.Luchenok, People’s Artists of Belarus G.Wagner, A.Mdivani, Yu.Semenyaka, D.Smolsky, S.Kortes, Honored Artists of Belarus V.Voitik, G.Surus and others. The most valuable thing about his students is that they all chose their own individual path in composition, developed a special style and found their own theme in art.
Long-term creative, pedagogical and social activity of A.Bogatyrev, the founder of the national composer school, is an example of devoted worship to the national musical culture.
The exhibition presents books, monographs, articles and scientific essays about A.Bogatyrev’s life and artistic journey, musical editions, audio materials and photographic documents.
The exposition is located in the foyer of the Academy Grand Hall (30 Internatsionalnaya Street) from August 23 to November 1.
