Symphonies

Andrei Bely is best known for his modernist masterpiece Petersburg, which exemplifies how modern writers sought to evoke the fragmentation of language, narrative, and consciousness. This book presents Bely's four Symphonies, which capture the banality of life, the intimacy of love, and the enchantment of art. They are quintessential works of modernist innovation, influenced by Russian Symbolism, and depict the drabness of daily life with distinct irony and satire. Jonathan Stones translation of the Symphonies features some of the most captivating and beguiling writing of Russia's Silver Age.

\n Format: Paperback / softback
\n Length: 512 pages
\n Publication date: 02 November 2021
\n Publisher: Columbia University Press
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Andrei Bely is renowned for his exceptional work, Petersburg, which stands as a paradigmatic representation of the modernist movement's endeavor to capture the fragmented nature of language, narrative, and consciousness. During the early 20th century, Bely embarked on his artistic journey, commencing with a series of texts he referred to as "symphonies." These works, characterized by their experimental nature and exploration of genre and sound, showcased a stylistic fluidity that oscillated between prosaic, poetic, and musical elements. Presented herein are Bely's four symphonies: "Dramatic Symphony," "Northern Symphony," "The Return," and "Goblet of Blizzards." These fantastical narratives encapsulate the banality of everyday life, the profound depths of love, and the enchanting essence of art.

The Symphonies are considered quintessential masterpieces of modernist innovation, as Bely crafted a rich mythology and developed a distinct artistic aesthetic. Drawing inspiration from Russian Symbolism, Bely believed that the role of modern artists was to infuse seemingly mundane details with profound cosmic significance. Within the Symphonies, Bely vividly portrays the monotony of everyday existence with a distinct irony and satire, only to abruptly transcend the confines of turn-of-the-century Moscow into the realm of boundless infinity and eternal existence. These narratives conjure worlds that bear a resemblance to our own, yet also reveal hints of artifice and magic, alluding to mystical truths and the complete transformation of life. Through Jonathan Stones meticulous translation of the Symphonies, readers are treated to some of the most captivating and beguiling writing of Russia's Silver Age.

\n Weight: 614g\n
Dimension: 139 x 216 x 31 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9780231199094\n \n