Sacred Music by S.V. Rachmaninov: Issues of Genre Specificity and Performance

Main Article Content

Andrey B. Kovalev

Abstract

The article is devoted to the peculiarities of the embodiment of Russian sacred music traditional genres in the work by S.V. Rachmaninov (choral cycles of the Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom
op. 31, All Night Vigil op. 37, spiritual concert “In the prayers of the never-sleeping Mother of God”). The focus is on the sacred music genre specifics and performance issues. The specific features of Rachmaninovʼs works are considered from the point of view of the spiritual and musical workʼs belonging to a genre group and variety, the composerʼs interpretation of the Church Slavonic liturgical text, as well as the principles of the compositional structure of the work. As a result of the analysis, it is concluded that Rachmaninov’s spiritual works are located between the conventionally designated liturgical and non-liturgical genre poles, combining elements of the church singing tradition and some distance from it. In addition, the possibility of performing the composer’s spiritual works both in the choir and outside of worship is being considered.


Keywords: S.V. Rachmaninov, Russian sacred music traditional genres, liturgical-choral cycle, harmonization, free authorʼs composition, choir singing, non-liturgical performance.

Article Details

How to Cite
Kovalev А. Б. (2024). Sacred Music by S.V. Rachmaninov: Issues of Genre Specificity and Performance. Music Scholarship / Problemy Muzykal’noj Nauki, 54(1), 112–123. https://doi.org/10.17674/2782-3601.2024.1.112-123
Section
Conferences. Symposia. Events in Science
Author Biography

Andrey B. Kovalev, V.S. Popov Choral Art Academy, Moscow, Russia

DrSci (Arts), Professor at the History and Theory of Music Department