New Ideas Concerning Arts and Social Studies Vol. 4

The paper takes a fresh look at the history of the world’s earliest art song, the musical solution of which, along with the lyrics, is directly related to the Train—Travelling Song by the Russian composer Mikhail Glinka (1804–1857). Background information, including the terminological and methodological basis of this study, technological details of the development of the railway in the early decades of its inception, as well as several striking examples of works in various genres of art, music, and fiction that show how the railway has inspired creative individuals over the decades, precedes and follows composer’s story, a study of which reveals that Travelling Song is not only the earliest response to the novelty of the railway in music, but also has roots in a personal romantic and emotional context. The research is carried out using methods generally accepted in cultural studies, i.e. working with print and online sources, as well as features of a creative writing style associated with the practice of art-based research, which offers a presentation of scientific material about art using artistic means.