Аннотация: Diaghilev. Marshal of European culture. 1914-1929. A note on chapters 16-26 of the book "Diaghilev: outrunning the time"
Diaghilev. Marshal of European culture. 1914-1929. A note on chapters 16-26 of the book "Diaghilev: outrunning the time"
The World War of 1914-1918, the events of 1917 in Russia, have a powerful impact on the activities of Sergei Diaghilev.
A huge resource - the Russian ballet school and the persons of this school - this resource is becoming almost inaccessible for Diaghilev.
Diaghilev increasingly focuses on Spanish, Italian, French and other Western European cultural traditions.
In his team are more and more of the residents (creative people) of Western European countries.
Diaghilev's vast experience, his excellent knowledge of the creative landscape of Europe, a creative intuition, and the ability to see the future, allow him to defeat competitors and constantly be on top of the creative Olympus of the Western World.
But, firstly, competition is intensifying. New figures and collectives appear. New creative directions. Secondly, the residual emigration of creative people from Russia (after 1917) gradually ceases - of persons with the traditions and skills of the Russian ballet school. (Such factors as the Brest Peace (1918), the emergence of the USSR and Soviet art have an influence - although not a not very significant - on the attitude of the Western European public towards Diaghilev's activities). Thirdly, a new types of art appear - for example, cinema.
The exclusive resource of Diaghilev - the Russian ballet school and Russian ballet traditions - in the new historical situation does not ensure the monopoly position of Sergei Diaghilev in the Western European Art World.
Sergei Diaghilev reacted to the idea of visiting the USSR with reasonable caution. In this matter, he reminds Fedor Chaliapin. Sergei Diaghilev does not have a revolutionary creative reputation, a connections among (in) the Soviet elite, and skills of surviving in conditions of military or revolutionary Russia (skills of such type, which, for example, Maxim Gorky had).
Apparently, Sergei Diaghilev got the feeling that creative maximum was reached. Relative financial stability has come - a result of a huge experience and worldwide fame.
Sergei Diaghilev is gradually losing interest in "Russian Ballets", its creative directions and prospects. He feels an increasing inclination towards a collecting of books.
Theoretically, it can be assumed that Sergei Diaghilev could still engage in literary, consulting, and educational activities for another 10-20-30 years. But it would be a completely different way of life. Perhaps he himself did not want such a fate. "Russian Ballets" would have to separate from Diaghilev, and Diaghilev would have to separate from "Russian Ballets", which would create ambiguous prospects for the reputation and glory of Sergei Diaghilev.
The health of Sergei Pavlovich Diaghilev is deteriorating. An unambiguous diagnosis was not made to him. Doctors talked about various diseases. Typhus was even mentioned.
At the peak of fame and success, Sergei Pavlovich Diaghilev died in 1929. Before his death, he came to Venice. He was buried in Venice.
Sergei Diaghilev was among those creative figures who made pre-war European art of the 19th century a European art of the 20th century.
""European philanthropist... " - Diaghilev called himself" (Natalya Chernyshova-Melnik "Diaghilev: outrunning the time").
Apparently, there is reason to call Sergei Diaghilev the marshal of European culture of the first half of the 20th century.
A difficult (complex) figure is Sergei Diaghilev. He possessed unusual, even mysterious, qualities. Writing his biography is a difficult task. The book by Natalya Chernyshova-Melnik covers a huge amount of information about Sergei Diaghilev. The book is distinguished by literary merits. A useful book.
June 20, 2020 00:43
Translation from Russian into English: June June 21, 2020 13:07.
Владимир Владимирович Залесский 'Дягилев. Маршал европейской культуры. 1914-1929. Заметка о главах 16-26 книги Н.Д. Чернышовой-Мельник 'Дягилев: опередивший время''.