English literature in the context of the creative and reading preferences of P. I. Tchaikovsky

Abstract

The article examines the interests and preferences of Tchaikovsky in the area of English literature. We have revealed the place and role of creativity of foreign writers and poets in forming of aesthetic views and tastes of Russian composer. The article describes the influence of English literature in search of creative and readers of Tchaikovsky.

However, the article shows his critical thinking in choosing English plots, traced coherent and strong aesthetic claim of composer.

Tchaikovsky could hear English speech since early childhood, but he mastered it in adulthood. A special theme for Tchaikovsky was British literature, the composer was interested in throughout his life. This found reflection in his works. He has his writings on the plots from Shakespeare and Byron. In the circle of Tchaikovsky's reading interests, C. Dickens and W. Thackeray are in the first place. Eloquent expressions of the composer testify to the thoughtful and exalted attitude to the novels of these writers.

After the opera “Queen of Spades” Tchaikovsky learned about novelist George Eliot and her works. The library of the composer has a number of her works, some of which he regarded as the future opera plots. Tchaikovsky planned to compose operas “Othello” and “Romeo and Juliet”.

In this respect it is interesting to follow the British line in the biography of the composer through documentary sources preserved in Tchaikovsky's personal archive in order to try to identify the most complete picture of the British interests of the composer and the scope of his contact with the world of culture of this country.

The library of P.I. Tchaikovsky also has English books on different topics in the areas he was interested in - history, natural science.