“Freer Than the Wind”: The Earliest Train Song in Context

The purpose of this article is to contextualize the world’s oldest art song directly associated with the railway— Travelling Song by the Russian composer Mikhail Glinka (1804-1857). The composer’s personal circumstances surrounding the creation of the song are examined, along with the historical and technical background of that era. While railways have always been associated with technological progress, new solutions for high-power engines, and the accuracy of arrival and departure timetables, the poetic and romantic side of train travel and railways in general has not yet received sufficient academic coverage. This essay is intended to partially fill this gap, though it rather outlines directions for possible development of its topical range. Each of the suggested reference points and stories is in itself an example of how the arts reflected the inspiration that cutting-edge technological advances of the period were exerting on artists, musicians, and other creative individuals.