"The Third... "

Abstract

Doctor Scince [Arts], Leading Researcher of AI NAN RA Margarita Ashot Rukhkyan. - "The Third... ". In my article on Aram Khachaturians Third Symphony, entitled "The Third", I emphasize the significance of its emergence within Soviet music, although initially the composer called his work "Solemn Poem", then "Symphony-poem"... The composer expressed his profound pride for the Soviet people, who won a victory over fascist Germany. The symphony itself is characterized by its vastness, both in emotional depth and orchestration. Khachaturian envisioned a monumental symphonic structure, with meticulous attention paid to the symphonic sound. A large symphonic orchestra, an organ, harps, a string quartet, and fifteen (perhaps twenty) solo trumpets constituted the instrumental parts of the symphony. Indeed, everything about this symphony was excessive. And it could not have been otherwise. The symphony was a product of the composer's fervent engagement with and exaltation of his era, celebrating its heroes. However, it was the year 1948. In January of that year, the Resolution of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (b), chaired by Secretary A. A. Zhdanov, organized a Meeting of Soviet Music Workers. Subsequently, on February 10, a resolution of the Central Committee addressing V. Muradeli's opera "Great Friendship" was issued. Meanwhile, renowned composers who had earned global recognition - such as S. Prokofiev, N. Myaskovsky, D. Shostakovich, and A. Khachaturian - were subjected to loud criticism. The political document accused these composers of adhering to an "anti-national formalistic direction". Among the works subjected to criticism were Sergei Prokofiev's Sonatas and Fifth Symphony, Dmitri Shostakovich's Eighth and Ninth Symphonies, Aram Khachaturian's Symphony-poem (Third Symphony), Cello Concerto, Second Symphony, and even his ballet "Gayane". Khachaturian, in particular, faced sharp criticism as one of the leaders of the Organizing Committee of the Composers' Union. Khachaturian's Symphony-Poem (Third Symphony), composed in 1947, was premiered alongside Prokofiev's Sixth Symphony at the end of December 1947 in Leningrad by the Leningrad Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Ye. Mravinsky. Shortly after, it was performed in Moscow at the Great Hall of the Conservatory. After many years of break, Khachaturian 's Symphony-poem (Third Symphony) was performed in Moscow by the Symphony Orchestra of the Moscow Philharmonic Society conducted by K. Kondrashin. Aram Khachaturian held deep affection for this work, which was so unfairly criticized. He attributed the symphony's excessive resonance to his perception of the heroic reality of a nation constructing socialism and triumphing over the plague of fascism.