Russian Arts & Music
A look at the historic arts and music of Russian culture.
Traditional Arts of Russia
Russian art has combined outside influences and folk traditions to create some of the most celebrated works of the modern era. In medieval times, increased literacy through Russian Orthodoxy led to a thriving industry of manuscripts and religious icons. Similarly, architecture took its cues from the elaborate, colorful styles of the Byzantine Empire. The distinctive domes of many Russian Orthodox churches are a lingering symbol of Byzantine influence.
Russian Painting
For many centuries, religious art dominated the region. By the 17th and 18th centuries, however, Russia’s nobility had begun to adopt aspects of European art, music, and literature. Its painters explored new subjects, including historical events, folklore, and vibrant depictions of peasant life in Russia. Famous artists like Valentin Serov, Wassily Kandinsky, Marc Chagall, Aleksey Savrasov, Ilya Repin, and Boris Kustodiev rank among its most widely recognized painters.
Russian Music and Dance
Russia’s musical tradition stems in large part from its peasantry. Epic folk songs, or bylinas, told stories of mythic heroes like bogatyr knights and noble princes of Kiev. These could be accompanied by flutes and stringed instruments like the gusli. Later, the balalaika became the preferred stringed instrument in many areas. Folk dances like the plyaska contrasted with the ballet and balls of the nobility. The upper classes primarily sponsored European-style composers from the 18th century on. Most popular of these was Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, who composed pieces like The Nutcracker and 1812 Overture. Ballet and opera became especially popular, and Russian ballet developed into its own distinct school of dance.
During the Soviet era, these separate styles united to create stirring orchestral and choral pieces that celebrated the nation’s folk identity. Pop music, while initially discouraged, became increasingly popular in the late 20th century.
Russian Literature
Besides its visual and performing arts, the Russian Empire is also known for its golden age in literature. Early writers and poets like Alexander Pushkin first brought Russian literature to international attention. In the 19th century, Nikolai Gogol, Leo Tolstoy, Anton Chekhov, and Fyodor Dostoevsky produced some of the most famous novels ever written. National attention returned to myths and fairy tales in the Soviet era, particularly through its celebrated cinema. As the Space Race with the United States heated up, Soviet writers also produced many works of science and literary fiction.
Modern Arts of Russia
Today, Russian artists draw from these historic influences as well as new ideas, leading to a diverse and robust modern art scene. The nation is home to a number of wealthy art collectors and prominent museums, including the Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg. Certain forms of expression, however, have been greeted with censorship and suppression by its government. One notable incident involved the 2012 arrest of several members of Pussy Riot, a punk rock band protesting elements of the Russian government and Orthodox Church.
References
Bushkovitch, Paul. A Concise History of Russia. Cambridge University Press. 2012.
Memmott, Mark. “Member Of Russia's Pussy Riot Freed; Two Others Remain In Jail.” NPR, NPR, 10 Oct. 2012, www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2012/10/10/162640973/member-of-russias-pussy-riot-freed-two-others-remain-in-jail.
Moon, David. The Russian Peasantry 1600-1930: The World the Peasants Made. Routledge. 2014.
Rowland, Daniel Bruce. Medieval Russian Culture. University of California Press. 1984.
“The World Factbook: Russia.” Central Intelligence Agency, Central Intelligence Agency, 29 May 2018, www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/rs.html.
Vernadsky, George. Kievan Russia. Yale University Press. 1973.
Ziegler, Charles. The History of Russia. ABC-CLIO. 2009.
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