THE COMPOSITIONAL WORK OF FRIEDRICH KALKBRENNER ON THE EXAMPLE OF THE BRILLIANT FANTASY ON “REMINISCENCES OF THE OPERA ‘GUIDO ET GINEVRA’ BY F. HALÉVY”, OP. 142

Abstract

The article examines the compositional activity of Friedrich Kalkbrenner, a prominent representative of the Romantic era, through the example of his work – the Brilliant Fantasy on “Reminiscences of the Opera ‘Guido et Ginevra’ by F. Halévy”, Op. 142. The author explores the genre and stylistic features of the piece, analyzing it within the context of the musical culture of the first half of the 19th century.Particular attention is paid to Kalkbrenner’s interaction with the operatic heritage of his contemporaries, especially Fromental Halévy, whose opera served as the inspiration for this work. The study traces how Kalkbrenner transforms operatic motifs within the framework of the brilliant fantasy genre, skillfully combining virtuosity with nuanced musical dramaturgy. The focus is placed on the technical complexity of Kalkbrenner’s compositions, driven by his aspirations as a composer-virtuoso to showcase performance mastery. However, within the scope of the research, special emphasis is placed on his contribution to the development of the genre system, particularly his creation of paraphrases and reminiscences that embody a novel approach to reworking operatic themes. Drawing upon the opera, Kalkbrenner incorporates several of its motifs and constructs his own dramaturgical line, thereby endowing the work with a cohesive and comprehensive character.Analyzing Op. 142, the author of the article reveals the distinctive features of Kalkbrenner’s performance style, which distinguished him as one of the most remarkable pianists of his time. The discussion focuses on his technical techniques, compositional structure, and artistic content, reflecting the influence of Romantic aesthetics while preserving elements of classical traditions. The article highlights the significance of the Brilliant Fantasy, Op. 142, as an example of chamber piano music. The study also addresses the interconnection between Kalkbrenner’s compositional and performance activities. As a renowned pianist-virtuoso, he created works that emphasized the capabilities of the instrument and showcased a high level of technical mastery. Op. 142 exemplifies such a symbiosis, where Kalkbrenner assumes the roles of both composer and performer of the musical concept. The research aims to popularize the creative legacy of Friedrich Kalkbrenner and his contribution to the development of the fantasy genre, which reflects the synthesis of operatic and instrumental art characteristic of the Romantic era.