Academic literature on the topic 'Choruses, Secular (Mixed voices) with orchestra'

Introduction. In the article the cycle of children’s choruses of S.Rachmaninov is considered, his characteristic features in subjects, figurative disclosure, the special role of lofty spiritualized lyric poetry; for the first time the appearance in the choral works of the composer of the themes “Dies irae”, “katabasis”; the spiritually-aesthetic value of Rachmaninov “Six Choruses” for secular children’s choral singing and performance is revealed. “Six choirs for children’s or women’s voices” op. 15 were written by S. Rachmaninov in 1895, the date of which he indicated in a letter to B. Asafiev on April 13, 1917. By the time the cycle was created, S. Rachmaninov was already the author of a considerable number of works. In the fall of 1894, he was employed by the Mariinsky Women’s School as a teacher of music theory and an accompanist of the choir. Specially for the choir of students, “Six choirs for children’s or women’s voices” were written: 1) “Glory!”, Words by N. Nekrasov; 2) ”Night”, words by V. Ladyzhensky; 3) “Pine”, words by M. Lermontov (from G. Heine); 4) “The waves dozed off”, words by K. Romanov, 5) “Captivity”, words by N. Tsyganov; 6) “Angel”, words by M. Lermontov. The features of S. Rachmaninov’s musical and artistic thinking, which researchers usually note in his romances – the significant role of accompaniment and a simple 3-part form, having their own historical archetype in the baroque three-part aria da capo (Antipov, 2014: 9) – can be found in “Six choirs”. The enormous artistic role of the piano accompaniment, its developed texture and organic unity with the score should be especially paid attention to. The vivid imagery of the cycle owes much to the instrumental part, which the composer not only went far beyond the accompaniment, but often has independent significance too. At first glance, the choral score of the cycle is uncomplicated – mainly with diatonic two-voice. But behind seeming simplicity, inexhaustible performing tasks for the choir and piano part are in favor. The extreme choral plays frame the cycle with themes of deep ethical and spiritual content that had not previously been encountered in children’s choral music. The middle rooms are dominated by bright lyrics, youthfully light sadness, and harmony between the pictures of nature and the states of the human soul reigns. No. 1 “Glory!” – the character of the work conveys pathetic, prayer (appeal to the Almighty for blessing) and lyrical-patriotic feelings. In the 3rd section of the miniatures, the accompaniment fills the music with fanfare intonations, in the last 6 beats, the dynamic tension within the framework of one tonic harmony is steadily increasing, and in the bass of the piano the bell ringing and ceremonial drum beat are imitated, completing the picture of the celebration. In No. 2 “Night”, the author embodies a dreamy-contemplative mood with the help of the choral cantilena. Frettonal ambiguity of the extreme parts (major-minor), functions languidly lasting for several measures, delicate harmonic colors, flexible ligature of figures, masterful techniques of sound-visualization contribute to a special refinement of moods and miniature images and are associated with impressionist music. No. 3 “Pine” – S. Rachmaninov chose M. Lermontov’s translation as the theme of loneliness and dreams of happiness, giving contrast to the musical images of northern Pine and southern Palma. No. 4 “The waves dosed off” – to convey the state of spiritual harmony and dreamy peace S. Rachmaninov found a set of expressive compositional techniques. Here we emphasize the special independence of the piano part, which does not contain a choral theme, but plays an important soundvisual role, enriching the narration of the choir. No. 5 “Captivity” – the image of a gentle bird, imprisoned in a golden cage, is widespread in fairy tales and poetry of the peoples of the world, as well as in choral music. In N. Tsyganov’s verses, the denouement is optimistic – the nightingale is set free. S. Rachmaninov relies intonationally on the Russian peasant cry-lamentation. The melody has a touching colour, the miniature is distinguished by a bright national color. No. 6 “Angel”. The poem tells of the great sacrament of conception in the spiritual world of a new person’s life. The Angel carries this person’s soul from heaven to earth to connect it with the body of the unborn child. In flight, an Angel sings a song about celestial gardens to this yet unincarnated Soul. The composer weaves a fragment of the motive-symbol “Dies irae” into Angel’s theme, entrusting it to a part of the alto and veiling from above the unrecognizabl third major second part of the soprano. The smoothly descending theme of the Soul can be described in this context as “katabasis”. This symbolism gives the miniature a deep philosophical meaning. S. Rachmaninov was the first Russian composer to create an example of concert purpose in The “Six choirs”. He raised to a new level the theme of children’s works, characteristic of the genre of that time. And that is education of a spiritually rich personality. The author revealed the extraordinary rhythmic and intonational richness of musical speech, the mastery of texture, harmony, the sophistication of technical techniques, and the tonal color scheme were rare for children’s choral music of that time. The richness of colors and the layering of the piano part bring it closer to the orchestra. In The “Six choirs for children’s or women’s voices” S. Rachmaninov revealed a new example of children’s choral music for concert purposes, which has high artistic merits, a deep substantive theme, and an aesthetic and educational orientation. The composer first attracted high poetry, revealed a spiritual and moral subtext. The theme of Faith, reflected in the first and last miniatures, “rings” the cycle, like Alpha and Omega, giving special semantics and significance to its figurative content. The essay reflected important artistic principles and writing techniques, characteristic of his subsequent opuses, but new to the children’s genre. Like the First Symphony (1895), created in the same year as the cycle, the “Six choirs” for the first time include the theme “Dies irae” symbolic for S. Rachmaninoff’s art, which further permeates his work up to “Symphonic dances”, as well as the theme “katabasis” revealing the spiritual and philosophical meaning of the work. This cycle was S. Rachmaninov’s only experience in children’s choral music, in which first for the genre he embodied high spiritual and ethical ideas of a romantic artist, his Christian picture of the world, the eternal themes of love for the Fatherland, life and death, good and evil, also actual for modern society and children of the XXI century. Prior to S. Rachmaninov, children’s choral music did not know such a depth of content, mastery of embodiment, aesthetic pleasure. The unsurpassed beauty of “Six choirs for children’s or women’s voices” made them a phenomenon of perfection in musical art for children, which is timeless, of course.

The article presents the genesis of the Mandyczewski family based on extensive source material; the factors of Eusebius Mandyczewski’s formation as a musician, conductor, and composer are characterized. Attention is focused on the significant influence on his professional development of the well-known church history teacher of Chernivtsi University Eusebius Popovych, music teacher Sydor Vorobkevych, and violin teacher Adalbert Hrimaly. The features of the talent of the future musician in his youth are revealed (he created 82 compositions between the ages of 14 and 17). Emphasis is placed on a significant event – receiving a scholarship at the competition of young talents in Leipzig, which was a significant financial support for his further studies at the University of Vienna. The “Viennese” period of E. Mandyczewski’s creativity, which lasted 54 years, is characterized. In Vienna, he studied German studies, philosophy, literature, art history, musical disciplines; his teachers were music critic Eduard Hanslick, musicologist Martin Gustav Notteb, composer Robert Fuchs. E. Mandyczewski’s professional growth was connected with activities at the Vienna Academy of Music, the Vienna Conservatory; he was the conductor of various choirs and orchestras, archivist and bibliographer of the Viennese “Society of Friends of Music” - one of the significant centers of European musical life.
 It was found that during many years of teaching activity, the Maestro trained a whole galaxy of composers, musicologists, teachers, most of whom became stars of the musical world of Austria, Italy, England, America... Among his students are Hans Gall, Karl Behm, Hilarion Verenko, Manolis Calomiris, George Sell, Leone Sinigaglia, Karel Prochazka (senior), Marcian Negria, Joseph Alois Krieps, Julius Patzak, Ferdinand Rebay, Rosario Scalero, Gustav Uwe Yenner, and Arthur Schnabel, Karl Garinger, Ignaz Brühl, Henry Kimball Hadlita, and others. The Austrian press deservedly called the honorary citizen of Vienna E. Mandyczewski “a living musical encyclopedia”. As a theoretician, he wrote many scientific studies on the work of W. Mozart, L. Beethoven, L. Bach, K. Czerny, A. Bruckner, Strauss, etc., compiled a complete edition of the works of J. Haydn, F. Schubert (in 42 volumes), J. Brahms (in 26 volumes). It is emphasized that E. Mandyczewski is the author of 11 Ukrainian choirs, the canon for three voices “And the day goes, and the night goes...” (to the words by T. Shevchenko), music to the lyrics by Yu. Fedkovich “Wake up, Boian!”, “Kobzar’s dawn” etc., vocal works written to the texts of Serbian, Hungarian, Ukrainian, Moldovan folk songs, author’s works written to the texts by Romanian and Moldovan poets M. Eminescu, H. Koshbuk, V. Aleksandr, O. Vlahutse, etc. Research attention is focused on the authorship of vocal works of a secular and spiritual nature, among which the most significant are: “Greek Mass” for solo, choir and orchestra, the cycle “Tuscan Songs”, church works – 12 liturgies, “Cherub” for mixed choir, “Our Father” for two children’s voices, carol “Silent night, holy night”, psalms, etc.
 On the basis of primary factual sources, the influence of E. Mandyczewski on the development of musical culture and education in Bukovyna is characterized.

Three outstanding music works have been presented in the article – “Polish Requiem” for 4 solo voices, mixed chorus and symphonic orchestra by Krzysztof Penderecki, “Panachyda za zmarłych z głodu” [A memorial service for those who died of hunger] for soloists, two mixed choruses, a reciter and symphonic orchestra by Jewhen Stankowycz, as well as Ocalały z Warszawy [A Survivor from Warsaw], a melodrama, op. 46, for a reciter, male chorus and orchestra by Arnold Schönberg. The works exemplify the idea of a composer's synthesis, present a programme of important, quite often tragic fates constituting the area of common ups and downs of Central Europe - Poles, Germans, Jews and Ukrainians. For that reason, the author has deemed it necessary to include these works in the school’s music curriculum, as an inter-cultural project, intentionally preparing the young for a dialogue and meetings. The thesis has been divided into two parts: The first one included a meaning and content-related analysis of music works in their mutual relations and differences in treating the language of artistic statement, similarity of topics formulated as a symbolic and narrative programme, as well as in references to religion and understanding the sacred sphere. The second part expresses pedagogic contributions which, during the musical education process, may constitute inspiration for the artistically-oriented inter-cultural education achieved by making the artistic activity available for the young. From among the trends, the following didactic and educational conceptions have been distinguished: a) Music educating by stimulating the cultural memory, b) Religious music in the “pedagogy of remembrance” trend, c) Music of martyrdom in the inter-cultural educational programme in the process of dialogue and assimilation.

...I never saw another butterfly... is a twelve movement chamber work scored for SATB choir, narrator, percussion I [vibraphone, and tomtoms (4)], percussion II [timpani (4), tam-tam, snare drum, and bass drum], guitar, violins I and II, viola, and cello and is based on the book of the same name. It contains a variety of compositional techniques, forms and genres.

Expanding on the concept of Richard Wagner's Gesamptkunstwerk, The War Poems was written to combine various elements for an intermedia composition, including music, five slide projectors, lighting, and costume. Text used in the piece was taken from the writings of the English World War I poet Siegfried Sassoon.

Three Scenes in Dreamland is a 17-minute piece for mixed choir and instrumental ensemble. It consists of three movements: "Crystal Sky," "The Chanting Light" and "The Field Where I Was Born, Where I Died." Each movement uses a particular combination of the available instruments. The work is inspired by various aspects of Chinese culture and Buddhism, and certain possibilities of combining Western and non-Western musical elements are explored over the course of the three movements.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of California, San Diego, 2003.<br>Vita. For 6 solo sopranos, women's chorus, string orchestra, percussion, harp, piano, and celesta. Accompanying tape includes recording of work.

Thesis (M.M.)--Conservatory of Music. University of Missouri--Kansas City, 2006.<br>For chorus and wind ensemble. "A thesis in music composition." Madeleine L'Engle, poet ; Paul Rudy, advisor Typescript. Vita. Title from "catalog record" of the print edition Description based on contents viewed Nov. 12, 2007. Online version of the print edition.

Of A Covered Harvest is a twenty minute music composition for alto solo, mixed double choir (SSAATTBB) and percussion. It uses the following texts: Sacrifice by Alicia Munoz; Non Linear by Phyllis Webb and ancient Mayan words. The piece explores the themes of power, choice and the crowd versus the individual using the musical depiction of a ritual human sacrifice as a forum for commentary. The three part structure of the piece is delineated by the narration of the ritual by the choir: preparation, sacrifice and resolution, and by the emotional reaction to the sacrifice by the alto solo (victim): denial, isolation and anger; depression and bargaining; and acceptance. Of A Covered Harvest uses contemporary vocal techniques such as vocalizations, paralanguage and the phonetic manipulation of text. The piece follows in the tradition of twentieth century performance practice in its use of graphic notation and aleatoric passages.

"EDIFICE" Opus 4. No. 2, is a composition scored for double, mixed chorus, soprano and baritone soli, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets in Bb, 2 bassoons, 4 horns in F, 2 trumpets in C, 2 trombones, and bass trombone. The piece is based on the poem EDIFICE, by Tean E. Schultz, which was written at the request of the composer.<br>The philosophical impetus of this work stems from the process of perspectival redefinition, the resultant alteration in perceptual space being of primary importance. This could be viewed as the meta-text of the poem and forms the basis for an iconic realization of this concept in "EDIFICE".<br>The work is characterized by the unusual spatial disposition of its constituent ensembles. Specifically, the two mixed choirs are antiphonally situated, one on either side of the audience, with the wood winds and brass set in two concentric circles between the two choirs. The wood winds and bass trombone are enclosed by the remaining brass. This arrangement of the instruments relates directly to the imagery implicit in the third segment of the poem; " ... I will not listen, My self is pouring Outside me; Like a cast of metal Covers me ... ".<br>In terms of compositional designs the work explores such techniques as cyclical permutation of phonemic units derived through the phonetic fragmentation of text segments; phonemic manipulation in a multi-layered texture for the purpose of timbral variation; inexact rhythmic imitation, termed "quasi cannon"; serialized and "eroded" breathing rhythms; continuous redisposition of semi-chromatic pitch cells as foundational harmonic structures; and textural "cross-fading" within the antiphonal distribution of forces.