Konstantin Balmont

Konstantin Dmitrievich Balmont (Russian Константин Дмитриевич Бальмонт; * 3.jul / June 15 1867greg on the estate Gumnischtschi in Vladimir, .. † December 23, 1942 in Noisy -le- Grand in Paris) was a Russian poet of the symbolism of the so-called silver age of Russian poetry.

In his first collection of poems under the northern sky of 1894, The influence of symbolism noticeable. 1903 was followed by Let's like the sun, which is also still gained some popularity. Igor Stravinsky wrote in 1911/12, the cantata Le Roi des étoiles on a poem Balmont. Other poets, notably Alexander Blok, Balmont ran in the sequence from the rank; his works after 1910 are generally regarded as mediocre. Balmont, who was initially inclined towards communism, refused him later; In 1920 he emigrated to France, where he had stayed before the First World War. He translated a number of Western classics into Russian, including Henrik Ibsen or Edgar Allan Poe. These expenses are partially available to date, are but as little successful in their broadcasts of the poetic style. Sergei Rachmaninoff choral work The Bells, Op 35, was due to a very free translation, almost a paraphrase of the four Poe works by Balmont. Sergei Prokofiev dedicated Balmont his 3rd Piano Concerto ( 1917-21 ). Balmont thanked for the dedication with a symbolist sonnet that is supposed to represent his poetic impression of the work for him as a listener. He died in " loneliness, misery, soul sickness" in his exile.

Works (selection)

• Underwater plants. Poems. Selection. Translation and foreword by Christoph Ferber. Diamond, Dresden 2012