Imaginative-Dramaturgic Oppositions of the Voices in Chorale and in Ensembles Textures

Main Article Content

Oleg V. Devutsky

Abstract

The article deals with the problem of determining
proper functions of voices in the dramaturgy
of a musical composition. Approaching
this insufficiently explored issue allows to identify
internal interactions not only in such large
works as opera and symphony, but also in
smaller choral miniatures. As an illustration of
figurative dramaturgical oppositions of the voices
the article provides several analyses: the chorus
"Zvyozdy" ("Stars") from the op. 27 by
Sergey Taneyev, the Quintet "I am frightened"
from the opera The Queen of Spades by Pyotr
I. Tchaikovsky and the chorus "Zu Neujahr" by
Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy. These analyses
show that even in smaller works the interaction
of voices often travels a complex path which is
full of unexpected collisions, and one of the
performer's tasks is to spot such interactions and
express them in his or her interpretation. The
author provides a formula which can help to
approximate the amount of possible interaction
between the voices which is determined by the
total voice count and by the number of musical
"events".
Performers may wish to consider these points
in their daily work.

Keywords: Chorale music, chorale performance, chorale texture, voices interaction

Article Details

How to Cite
Devutsky, O. V. (2008). Imaginative-Dramaturgic Oppositions of the Voices in Chorale and in Ensembles Textures. Music Scholarship / Problemy Muzykal’noj Nauki, 2(1), 38–47. Retrieved from https://musicscholar.ru/index.php/PMN/article/view/761
Section
Musical Text and its Performer
Author Biography

Oleg V. Devutsky, Voronezh State Academy of Arts

Candidate of Arts, Docent at the Department of Choral Conducting